Anyone have problems with quick drive screws in wooden deck breaking after 6 months. I Bought my gun and screws last January. Built one wooden deck with it. The cust. had me out the other day, said some boards were loose. I found about 50 screws broken off about where they enter the joist. Rather than finding all of the broken screws I think I just quit looking.
I’m using 2 1/2″ screws that were recommended by my supplier for wood decks. I don’t know if I have a bad bunch of screws or is there something else wrong.
Replies
1) Quik-Drive brand screws or generic?
2) If Quik-Drive, were they gray (true galvanized) or greenish brass (plated)
3) Quik Drive requires no more than 1/16" countersinking. Were they overdriven?
4) What type of decking?
5) Were the floor boards sitting directly on the joists or slightly gapped, as might happen if you were fastening on either side of a crowned joist?
Al
They are the quick drive brand screws #8 x 2 1/2" with the gray galv. treatment. They were counter sunk about 1/8" but I have a hard time believing that an extra 1/16" would cause them to break. The boards that seem to be breaking have some cupping going on, but again I feel this should not break the screws. AS far as the joist are concerned they are as level as can be expected. Some variance in the widths of 1/8". I feel that the stresses put on these screws is not excessive. I was wondering if anyone else is breaking them. Matt
What a drag. Possibly you were using the DW type screws rather than the exterior grade? I wouldn't stop using the screws. I'd just go up a size from 6 to 8, or 8 to 10. If outdoor tens are snapping, I'd talk to the manufacturer.
What number did you use? Sometimes you send someone in to get the screws and they come back with the best per screw value instead of what you ask for.