Hey. My brother has a very large, 3 level deck with 20 plus yr old pressure treated lumber. He wants me to re-surface it. Its sound but the decking is old and splintering in areas. The old decking is spiked with 12p galv nails and ther’s 1400 sq ft of it. I think there’s a deck “topper” product but I can’t remember the name of it. I kind of think its a waste to trash the old decking if its not totally necessary. Any thoughts on just going over the old decking with a new composite?
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Any thoughts on just going over the old decking with a new composite?
Just one: don't.
Layering decking will unearth a Pandora's Box of problems. Besides the whole differential in movement thing, there will be construction details that, if not addressed, will make the whole think reek of 'hack', stuff like lining the edge of the deck to hide the multiple layers, and the fact the decking fasteners will not have much bite in the framing. Also, adding another layer of decking will create a ton of water accumulation points, which will only exacerbate the degradation that you're seeing.
Your best bet is to strip it and redo it. And I have just the tool to do it with:
http://www.demodog.com/
Good luck.
Better yet.....have the brother demo it.
Have him call when its ready for new.
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At 1400 ft2, I'd second that emotion.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
http://www.dri-dek.com/
I haven't tried this, but left clicking is free.