fixing a lifting deck

I have inherited a deck - not sure of the boards but think they are cheap softwood things (with the ridges upwards) and are nailed into pine joists.

The nails used are now lifting all over the place - and don't look like deck ones.

Looking at various threads I want to go for some deck screws to really hold the boards down. However can I get away with 1 screw, put in between each set of nails and just leave the nails there or do I need to remove the nails and replace with 2 screws at each fixing point?

All advice gratefully received

Thanks

David

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by drhind

However can I get away with 1 screw, put in between each set of nails and just leave the nails there or do I need to remove the nails and replace with 2 screws at each fixing point?

All advice gratefully received

Thanks

David

---

Depends whether you don't mind stubbing your toes on the lifting nails or scratching the bottom of things you might wants to slide across the deck :D

I noticed my hardware store is selling stainless steel square drive screws especially for decking. A bit procey but they should not lift like nails do.

Wolffie

Depends on a few things I would have thought.

How wide are the boards? One screw may not be enough if they are wide boards but if they are the 75 - 100mm variety it could be okay.

What condition is the pine underneath? Have a look at the condition of it before you start putting a band aid on it, you may need open heart surgery, if you catch my drift...

If it all looks fine, I would think one srew should do it, I'm big on overkill so I would probably do two, but that's just me.

You may want to get a nail punch and tap the nails in a bit further when you finish screwing.:2tsup:

its a common problem and one we take joy in when customers go elsewhere and suffer this fate in the hope of saving a buck...

To solve the problem you can either remove all the decking denail it and refit with screws or the right nails which in my opinion is a waste of time for pine decking....
The simple solution is to buy a box of 65mm titadeck nails and pull out all the raised nails and replace them with these... It will take time as you can only remove the popped ones but wont take to long to do..

putting a screw in the centre will hold the boards down but wont stop the nails from continuing to pop as the board will still pivot on the joist..

Its an annoying problem that could have been solved unfortuanetly in the first place had the right fixings been used...

good luck with it

cheers utemad

sounds like the deck is upsidedown treated pine decking boards.

go to bunnings and buy a box of treated pine screws (45mm should do it) these in my opinion are one of the best general porpose screws aroung cheep and are made to use on tp.

this will howver not solve the problem of the heads lifting as this is caused by the timber shrinking and expanding. put one screw in teh center of each board and punch the nail heads way down as far as you can.

do the job properly, or do it time and time again.....pull em up and refit with s/s screws 50mm #10 ...if the T/P is weak underneath .....try 65mm for a better bite ....

or dismantle the whole lot ......and flog it on ebay .....either way you have your work cut out for you:doh:

Thanks for all the advice everyone

Whatever it is it's going to be a bit of work so there goes my Easter long weekend!

David

Hi David if you deside to screw it back down we have the 50mm stainless square drive screws in stock. I would refer you to someone closer to you but Im not sure who has them where you are. Anyway good luck with it:2tsup:
Cheers