how do you tear down a wood deck

Here are the steps of how to tear down an old wood deck:

• Remove the rails. Once the deck is cleared off, you need to remove the rails first, if applicable. ...
• Pull off the deck boards. Start on one side, pulling the deck boards up and go one-by-one to the other side of the deck. ...
• Cut the deck away from the house. ...
• Pull the steps apart and cut the frame up. ...

Full Answer

How do you remove wood decking from a deck?

Starting at one end of the deck, remove the screws to lift up each board. If they’re nailed down, use a pry bar instead. This step can be relatively time-consuming, and depending on the size of the boards, you may need to use a saw to cut them into more manageable pieces. Then, carry the boards to a dumpster for simple and efficient removal.

What happens when you tear down a deck?

Another really good thing to come from tearing down the deck was this: Once we started tearing down the deck we found two “good thing we caught these now” surprises – carpenter ants and groundhogs. Once we started tearing up the deck boards we noticed a hole right at the house going under the deck.

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.

How do you get rid of stairs on a deck?

Once your deck boards are out of the way, follow a similar process to get rid of the treads and risers for the steps. Use a pry bar to lift the treads, then, after all the treads are gone, cut the risers and stringer into small pieces that can easily be carried to the dumpster.

How much does a deck wrecker cost?

Use a tool like a deck wrecker. Using the right tool (s) will save you time, effort, and your back. Deck wreckers cost $50-$60 on average, but you may be able to rent one from a local hardware store.

How to dispose of demolition debris?

Demolition debris cannot be mixed in with general wastes, so your best options include: 1 Renting a dumpster 2 Hiring a junk removal company 3 Hauling the debris to the landfill or transfer station yourself

Can you unscrew a board?

For example, if screws were used and the heads are still in good shape, you may be able to unscrew each board and remove it .

The project we were dying to do before we even closed on the house was tear down the ugly deck

Now you might we wondering why we would choose to tear down a perfectly good deck. It’s hard to see in video and pictures, but the deck was far from “perfectly good.” (For example, it was built on an angle to accommodate someone pulling into the garage bay, so in person it looked super awky.)

More Driveway

Aside from not being the prettiest deck, it was also built on top of the driveway pad. We figured if we tore it down, we’d actually be able to turn around in our driveway. And since Main Street House is on a road that’s really busy at rush hour we decided it was something worth doing.

Ugly and Not Built Right

Like I mentioned above the deck wasn’t built right and was also incredibly ugly. Besides being built on an angle, it also had a green plastic roof, the deck boards were cupping and the beams were’t tied together correctly!

Surprise Problems

Another really good thing to come from tearing down the deck was this:

How to remove a nailed down board?

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

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.

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.

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.