how do you demo a wood deck

This process is called ' deconstruction ' and is essentially deck construction in reverse order:

• Pull off the top railings, removing the balusters and bottom rails first. To remove deck boards without damaging them, use a crowbar to pry them up if they are nailed together. If they are screwed together, use a drill to reverse the screws.
• Remove the deck boards.
• Take apart the steps.
• Disassemble the joists, beams, and then the support posts.

Full Answer

How to demo a deck step by step?

How to Demo Your Deck, Step-by-Step. 1 Step 1. Know What You're Working With. “Demolishing a deck entails a lot of work,” says Weber. “Detaching the boards and framing is only half of the ... 2 Step 2. Start With the Railing. 3 Step 3. Remove Deck Boards. 4 Step 4. Pull the Steps Apart. 5 Step 5. Cut the Deck Away from Your Home. More items

How to remove a Deck Yourself?

Remove the Deck Yourself 1 Step 1: Remove Railings and Stairs#N#Start by removing all railings and stairs.#N#A majority of decks nowadays are built... 2 Step 2: Remove Deck Boards#N#Once railings and stairs are out of the way, you can then remove the deck boards.#N#Take care... 3 Step 3: Remove Legs and Feet More ...

What is the demo-Dek deck board remover?

The tool is a little strange looking, but once you read the instructions, the unique design starts to make sense. Every other deck-board remover I’ve tried uses the underlying joist as the pivot point, but the Demo-Dek uses the deck board itself as the pivot point, which generates a tremendous amount of “popping” torque.

What can I do with my old decking?

Weathered wood is perfect for all kinds of DIY projects. You can transform your old deck into a bench, a table, a frame, landscaping trim, or anything you can think of—or you can sell it to someone else via Facebook, Craigslist, etc. From there, remove your deck’s legs and feet.

What to wear when demolishing a deck?

How to remove a nailed down board?

Can you use a skid steer to remove concrete?

Can you disconnect the bottom rail?

How much does it cost to demolition a deck?

Rebuilding the Whole Deck: If the deck is old or decrepit, removal costs $5 to $15 per square foot, so taking down a 10 x 12-foot deck would set you back about $1,200. A new wood deck costs an average of $14,360, according to Remodeling magazine, and a new composite deck is over 5 grand more at $19,856.

What tools do I need to demolish a deck?

0:2411:47Deck Removal Tips & Tricks - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat you should think about consider maybe incorporate into your own deck demolition project firstMoreThat you should think about consider maybe incorporate into your own deck demolition project first off if you plan to preserve. And reuse any of the wood in your deck. You might want to try unscrewing

How long does it take to tear down a deck?

In most cases a few hours for a small deck and maybe a day for a larger one. If you are doing it alone set aside a day or two to get the job done. The time it takes to demolish a deck can vary depending on several other factors.

Can I use a chainsaw to remove a deck?

Chainsaws make even quicker work of cutting off railings, beams, and big sections of deck. Again, watch carefully for nails. Not only will they instantly dull the chain, but the chain can fling the nails back toward you. Remove the railing in sections, cutting it free with a chainsaw or a reciprocating saw.

What is the easiest way to remove deck boards?

0:462:47How-To Easily Remove Rotting Deck Boards That are Nailed to your DeckYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you basically wedge one of these. Into between some of the boards. And then you lift it upMoreSo you basically wedge one of these. Into between some of the boards. And then you lift it up alright and then you take the other one. And then you wedge it underneath and then just work your way.

How do you remove rotten deck boards?

8:4818:20Replace Rotten Deck Boards Yourself! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd again you could do this with a handsaw or a a power saw it's no big deal but this will give youMoreAnd again you could do this with a handsaw or a a power saw it's no big deal but this will give you a little bit of room to maneuver. Get that piece out.

Can I demo my own deck?

Getting Ready to Demolish Your Wood Deck Ripping down your wooden deck might seem like a pretty big job, but even a beginner DIYer can get it knocked out in a Saturday if you approach the job systematically and make a plan – and it won't hurt to gather a few friends to help make the process go faster.

How much does it cost to tear down and rebuild a deck?

That's why the average cost can be as little as $790 or as high as $3,050. Most homeowners spend around $1,891 to repair a deck. Aside from the amount of repair needed, you'll also need to take into consideration the overall size, materials, customizations, and labor.

How do you remove deck boards with screws without damage?

Simply chip away the remaining wood around each screw, then work each screw loose with locking pliers or cut it flush to the joist. As with decking nails, it's possible to drill out the heads of screws to remove the boards.

How do you cut up decking?

Either a worm drive or circular saw would be the most commonly used tool for cutting apart old decks. Here a Bosch worm drive Saw makes quick work of cutting through decking boards. The first cuts should be two parallel cuts between the decking joists and away from all nails.

How do you rip deck boards?

1:152:27HOW TO RIP A BOARD QUICKLY WITH JUST YOUR CIRCULAR SAWYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're taking you on you're going to pinch. Your blade base. And you want to slide your finger.MoreYou're taking you on you're going to pinch. Your blade base. And you want to slide your finger. Along that board so what it's going to look like see I'm pinching right here that's my two inch mark.

How do you remove old deck joists?

1:569:25How to Replace a Deck Joist Hanger | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWay. Okay then once i have the joists out of the way i can pop up all the old nails. From the topMoreWay. Okay then once i have the joists out of the way i can pop up all the old nails. From the top side you can pull them off of the framing hammer got it all right move on to the. Next.

How do you remove deck joists?

1:569:25How to Replace a Deck Joist Hanger | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFrom the top side you can pull them off of the framing hammer got it all right move on to the.MoreFrom the top side you can pull them off of the framing hammer got it all right move on to the.

How do you use a deck wrecker?

1:062:10Duckbill Deck Wrecker - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipConnected with a roller pulp in the head angle of duckbill deck wrecker can be quickly changed toMoreConnected with a roller pulp in the head angle of duckbill deck wrecker can be quickly changed to make it easy to remove boards in tight spaces close with a building or around the deck railing.

How do you replace a deck?

0:422:17Extreme How To - Deck Rebuild - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou basically repeat the process of prying up the old decking and replacing with the new boards.MoreYou basically repeat the process of prying up the old decking and replacing with the new boards. Then install a fastener at each joist location. As you install the new decking.

How do you remove deck nails without damaging wood?

0:150:49365 Days of DIY - Remove nails without damage - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere's a better way to do that and it starts with grabbing a paint stick and laying the paint stickMoreThere's a better way to do that and it starts with grabbing a paint stick and laying the paint stick next to that nail. And then grabbing the nail with the claw.

What is the best tool to cut a deck?

Either a worm drive or circular saw would be the most commonly used tool for cutting apart old decks.

What is a deck post?

Deck posts are the vertical structural lumber to which beamsattach. Posts can be 4 x 4 or 6 x6” or metal. This area could be the most difficult stage of the demolition, however, I have removed decks where the posts were not in cement or attached to a footing, but were merely sitting on a brick.

What is the best tool to cut through joists?

An electric chainsaw is the best tool for cutting through joists. Here we use a Stihl 180C, a top–rated electric chainsaw built to handle

Why pick up and remove deck cuts?

Pick them up and remove them from the area to avoid safety risks and hazards that could lead to falls or much worse. Here you can see the first set of cuts that allowed us to stand on the ground beneath the deck and make our cuts without risk of standing on lumber that had been cut from its supports.

What to use to break up concrete?

If you need to break up the concrete to remove it from the posts, you can use a demolition hammer or even a chipping hammer depending on the amount of concrete that needs to be removed.

Can you remove a footing from a concrete post?

If the posts are firmly set in concrete, you may be forced to break the concrete apart before removing. Occasionally, you can remove the footing by working the post back and forth, loosening the soil around it and the concrete may be light enough to be removed by several helpers.

What is the best way to remove a deck?

A majority of decks nowadays are built with screws, which are simple enough to remove with a drill or electric screwdriver.

How long does it take to remove a deck?

If you're not comfortable with the idea of taking apart your deck on your own, a contractor can have it removed quickly, generally within one business day.

What to use to remove concrete footings from deck?

If your deck’s concrete footings are too difficult to remove by hand, utilize a Bobcat, backhoe, truck, quad, tractor, etc. to get the job done.

Can you get rid of a deck?

Getting rid of your deck doesn’t mean you have to destroy its materials in the process. The lumber used in decks is often valuable and can be reused for a wide range of projects. Not to mention, deconstructing a deck is a job you can finish on your own with some elbow grease and a few basic tools.

Is it a one size fits all project to remove a deck?

Removing a deck isn't a one-size-fits-all project. There's more than one way to get rid of your deck, just as there's more than one reason to do so. The condition and material of your deck, as well as your desired budget and timetable, all come into play when deciding which deck removal process you're going to choose—do it yourself, ...

Can you sell weathered wood?

You can transform your old deck into a bench, a table, a frame, landscaping trim, or anything you can think of— or you can sell it to someone else via Facebook, Craigslist, etc.

Can you deconstruct yourself?

For those who want to save a bit of money and don't mind getting their hands a little dirty, you can do some of the deconstruction yourself, then hire a contractor to do the tougher work.

What happens to deck boards when they are exposed to the elements?

Over time, the ends of deck boards can become splintered, soft, warped, and frayed.

Who pulls permits for deck removal?

Oftentimes, the contractor you hire to remove the deck will pull the permits for you, but you should always discuss this with them to confirm who is responsible for this aspect of the project.

Do local municipalities have regulations on deck removal?

Typically, local municipalities do not have regulations regarding the removal of decks.

Do you need to fill a deck with graded land?

If the plan is to build a new structure, like a home addition or a shed, where your old deck once stood, the land may need to be filled and graded in the proper manner.

Who invented the demo deck?

The Demo-Dek was developed by Ben Weinreich, a professional decking contractor from the Baltimore area. Drawing upon extensive experience in the industry, and a background in engineering, he invented a tool that removes ANY deck board, in ANY configuration, with a minimum of effort.

What is a deck removal tool?

Deck Removal Tool by GreenTek Tools Pull up decking simply and safely in a fraction of the time, while cutting costs and boosting productivity. Works on many types of decking and fasteners.

Does demo dek pay for itself?

Let’s talk ROI Demo-Dek will appeal to every decking contractor who does any amount of deck construction or dock work, as it will pay for itself BEFORE the first deck renovation is done! Decking contractors will be able to present a lower price to customers because the old deck boards have been torn off in a FEW MINUTES instead of HOURS.

Boards Only?

If you have ascertained that you only need to replace all the boards--that your support structure is sound--they can be ripped off with haste. Go after them with a pry bar, pulling nails out of the joists as you go to avoid injuring yourself on them.

Plan of Attack

It's time to haul out the chainsaw. Your plan of attack depends on the type of deck you have, keeping in mind you want to chop the deck up into convenient pieces that can be carried easily to your pickup or dumpster.

Cut Deck Debris to Fit

If you are using a pickup to haul debris, you can be clever and cut the sections about the size of the bed--maybe three joists wide. Make the first two or three sections narrower to accommodate the wheel wells. A section the size of your pickup bed is probably too large for one person to carry, but if you have a helper, it works well.

Beam Me Down

It is best to cut the joists off the beam and then cut up the beam separately. Falling beams are dangerously heavy, so remove them a section at a time--when you have cut away joists past a supporting post, remove that section of beam.

Ledger

The last element to remove is the ledger board, or whatever system was used to anchor the deck to the house. Nowadays, many jurisdictions require a ledger to be screwed to the house with 3-inch lags on 16-inch centers. If your ledger is lagged, haul out the ratchet wrench and unscrew them (a pneumatic impact wrench makes this task a breeze).

Post Holders

You should replace the old metal post holders--even though they are galvanized, they will deteriorate and maybe even rust through. If the post holders are set in concrete--not just pier blocks--you could be looking at a lot of muscle work to remove them.

What to wear when demolishing a deck?

Then, gather your tools and safety equipment. “Wear gloves and eyewear when demolishing a deck to shield from splinters, nails and flying debris,” explains Weber.

How to remove a nailed down board?

Then, carry the boards to a dumpster for simple and efficient removal.

Can you use a skid steer to remove concrete?

Pro Tip: If you have access to a skid steer or similar piece of equipment, you can use this to remove the concrete bases instead.

Can you disconnect the bottom rail?

After the top of the rail and the balusters are gone, you can disconnect the bottom rail in the same way.