Replies

1. 
   jonblakemore | Apr 03, 2003 06:59pm | #1

   Are you trying to salvage the deck boards?

   Jon Blakemore
1. 
   dongarrison | Apr 04, 2003 02:00am | #2

   Jon;

   I would prefer to save but will accept it if I can't....the boards are only a few years old.

   Don

2. 
   CAGIV | Apr 04, 2003 02:07am | #3

   Take one board up to get access to the rest.

   Use a flat bar to pry up the rest of the boards by getting under them, then knock the nails out from the bottom, if you try to use a nail puller with the boards still attached, you will damage them.

   If your putting them back down, use screws larger then the holes  in the boards now if you can, the old holes will not hold a new nail well.  I would also suggest if your going right back into the same spot with the boards, and thus using the same holes in the joists, I would not only use larger diameter screws, but longer ones to get into fresh wood.

   Why are you removing the deck boards?

   View ImageGo Jayhawks

   
   

   ---

   Edited 4/3/2003 7:08:06 PM ET by CAG

1. 
   dongarrison | Apr 04, 2003 04:46am | #4

   The customer does not want the upkeep of cedar so wants to go to a composite decking material.

   So you are saying that the spiral nails will come out of the joists ok? My biggest concern to be honest is to save the joists , then if I can save the cedar I will , the exposed side has weathered and cracked but the unexposed is probably in good shape.

   Don 

1. 
   CAGIV | Apr 04, 2003 05:14am | #5

    Don,

     I've never pulled a "whole" deck up that was spiral nailed down.  I have pulled up a few boards.  Expect some tear out and cracking, for the most part I would guess it will be ok.  If any joists are substantially damaged you can either replace them or sister on new.

     I'm not in business for myself either, but if I were I would put a clause in the contract that you can not guaranty that the boards will come up with out damage to the joist and if there is damage any repair would be additional either at T&M or with a price to be quoted once the decking is up and any damage can be seen just to cover my own backend.

     Let us know how it turned out?

   Good Luck NeilView ImageGo Jayhawks

1. 
   jonblakemore | Apr 04, 2003 05:54am | #7

   You might want to reconsider the sistering idea.  If you nail two pieces tight together, you are asking for some rot issues down the road.  I like to cut some 1/2" spacers to put between beams and sistered joists.

   If you are in a very dry climate, it might not be worth worrying about.

    

   Jon Blakemore

1. 
   CAGIV | Apr 04, 2003 06:00am | #8

   Thats a good point, I usually like to put some paper over them when I have done this, but its not always handy and therefore doesn't always happen. 

   I have used treated plywood spacers where the ledger connects to the house and I think thats a pretty good idea for same reason you mentioned, as it gives the water a place to go down.

   Kansas isn't very wet, but it also isnt very dry

   View ImageGo Jayhawks

   Edited 4/3/2003 11:01:21 PM ET by CAG

3. 
   ProDek | Apr 04, 2003 05:42am | #6

   Don- When we pull old or new decking, the spiral nails will usually pull through the decking. We then go back and sawsall all the nails off flush with the joists, if they are re-usable treated joists. They are very hard to pull. The head of the nail will snap off before the nail comes out.

   Have fun!

   Bob

   "Rather be a hammer than a nail"

   

4. 
   kaufman | Apr 04, 2003 06:03am | #9

   cedar is very soft and if the nails have a finish head on them you may be

   able to use a punch and punch them through.

1. 
   dongarrison | Apr 04, 2003 05:02pm | #10

   ok guys;

   Thanks for the tips.....I figured that I would be using a  sawzall to get the nails off somewhere in this project. We live in a dry climate (high desert) but still would rather save all the joists if I can.

   Don