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How to Remove decking

How to Remove Decking Boards with Nails


There are several reasons why you may need to or want to remove wooden decking boards from your garden. You may need to replace rotten boards or simply want to resurface your current decking. Many customers choose to remove their wooden decking to replace it with composite material for a more modern aesthetic in their garden and to reap the extensive amount of benefits that composite has to offer over traditional wooden decking. You may want to retain minimal damage to the boards if you are looking to recycle the boards and use them for other purposes, in which case you will need to ensure maximum precaution, following the steps within this article to complete the process. Whether you are looking to remove rotten boards or just replace your boards without causing damage, then continue reading our article.

Reasons why you may want to remove your wooden decking boards

Mould and mildew

The most common reason customers are removing decking boards is due to rotting damage affecting the board. As wooden decking is not as resistant to moisture as other materials such as composite or PVC, it is more prone to rotting and mould damage. Moisture accumulation on the deck surface leads to bacteria buildup, which creates mould on your board. This not only alters the appearance of your deck surface but also damages its structural integrity, as mould weakens the board. In this case, you will most likely need to replace the board if attempts at cleaning the board have not removed the mould stains

Damage

You may also have other forms of damage on your board, such as deep scratches or chipping from various different causes. This can often be out of your control, for example, if someone has dropped something on your deck and damaged the surface. In any case, if the cuts or scratches are too deep beyond repair, then you will need to replace the entire board, not only for aesthetic purposes but to ensure safety. This is because damage to the board can alter its structural integrity and weaken the board.

To redesign

You may simply wish to redesign your garden or deck area for a new deck or to replace the material. Many homeowners with wooden decking choose to replace their deck with composite decking, as it provides a beautiful appearance within their garden space without the extensive maintenance needed for a wooden deck. Despite the increased initial price, composite materials will require less maintenance and has a longer lifespan which can save you money over time. Composite decking also comes in many various styles and colours to choose from to best suit your personal taste.  

How to remove your decking boards

Whichever the case is, you will need to be careful in removing the old decking boards. If you are wanting to retain minimal damage, then the process is slightly different, as you will need to take extra precautions. If you’re not careful, you may damage the surrounding deck boards or even the deck frame. So, the question remains: how do you remove decking boards?

Removing boards with nails 

The method of installation that you have used for your decking will be dependent on the material. If you have installed timber decking boards, then you would have likely used either screws, nails or both. If you have used nails for the installation of the decking, you can use the claw of a hammer to remove them. Removing nails must be done very carefully if you want to save the material rather than damaging the boards. In order to take extra caution when using the claw of your hammer, insert a piece of thick fabric or a block of wood underneath the head as you pry the nail up. Following this process should leave the deck boards unmarred.

If using the claw of a hammer does not work, then you can try using a crowbar or other different types of prying tools. When plying the nails with any type of tool, you must not yank out the nails carelessly and instead do it as gently as possible.

Removing boards with screws

Screws are more commonly used for decking installation, given that they provide more security over nails. A lot of DIYers and decking fitters in the past have used a mixture of both, whereas now we are seeing more people use screws only. Screws should be relatively easier to remove, and there is typically less chance of damaging the joists and boards when doing so; however, this is not always the case, depending on the situation. To start with, you can try to unscrew the screws with an electric screwdriver set in reverse. When dealing with flushed screws, this process can become very difficult as the screw heads are buried deep into the wood.

Tools needed

Plug Cutters- If you find that your screw heads are deeply buried in the wood and not accessible, you can use a plug cutter. Plug cutters make holes in boards by drilling into them. This will expose the nail or screw head, allowing you to proceed with prying or unscrewing.
Hammer- A hammer is the best tool to drive nails into the wood boards but is also used to remove them with the claw end.
Pliers- Pliers are essentially pincers with parallel, flat, and typically serrated surfacesPliers are used within the process of removing nails and screws from your decking boards. They can easily remove buried nail heads.

Cutting the boards

A method that will make the removal process easier is cutting the decking boards. This will decrease the chances of them being damaged during the removal, and you will also be able to reuse these smaller pieces. The boards will not be damaged. They will just be in shorter lengths. Make sure that you plan where you want to make your cuts before actually cutting any of them in order to avoid damaging the joists. Another thing to consider is the thickness of the boards. If you are not aware of the thickness of the boards, you run the risk of penetrating too far and damaging the joists as a result. Marking your decking boards should first be done with chalk. Now that they are marked, you can begin to use a circular saw to complete the cuts.

Contact a Professional

Contact a Professional: When all else fails or if you are unsure, we would always recommend contacting a professional, as they will have the correct tools and equipment to remove the boards without causing any further damage.
Recycling your boards:  After removing the old decking boards, there are several things you can do to recycle your intact wood, as you may want to reuse any wood that’s still in good condition. Many customers choose to use their left-over wooden boards for other DIY projects in their gardens. For example, you can make planter boxes and garden shelves for your garden. You can also turn used boards into tables, chairs, and picture frames. If the boards are no longer usable, you can recycle them.

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