A wooden deck is a great addition to any home, but it will not last forever. Most decks eventually break down, even if it has been maintained properly for over four decades, and there will always be situations where it is much easier to simply take it down yourself.
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But how do you handle it, and how complex can it become? Here are some things to consider if you are getting ready to take down the deck – either on your own or through third-party contractors.
Preparing the Deck
Taking down a deck can seem very simple on paper, but it is actually quite a hard process. Not only can you easily underestimate how long it might take, but not having a proper plan will make it a lot more complicated.
Clear the Deck
Always remove anything that is being kept on the deck before you try to take it down. Even if you are just preparing the deck and getting your tools ready, it is important to clear it and make sure that there is not any unnecessary weight holding it down.
This includes furniture, decorations, and especially anything breakable. Find a safe place to store important items and move them all away from the deck, no matter how light they might be.
Grab your Tools
Decks can be quite tough to take down, so you will need good tools to handle this. A deck is quite a large job, so make sure to bring the best equipment you can get – if you do not own all of the tools that you need, then you might want to consider renting some from a local hardware store to make things easier (and cheaper).
Some key tools that you might want include:
- A pry bar/crowbar.
- A set of screwdrivers.
- A hammer.
- A drill.
- A sledgehammer or other heavy-duty breaking tool.
- A reciprocating saw for sawing apart wooden planks.
- A shovel to dig up supports and move the earth.
It also helps to have protective equipment, such as work gloves and safety glasses, so that you do not end up hurting yourself while trying to take the deck apart. The more protected you are, the better.
Taking Down the Deck
Decks are often made from the bottom upwards, meaning that you have to follow the same kind of technique for taking one apart. Unless you are hoping to simply smash it up yourself, you will want to deconstruct it step by step, following the order of assembly in reverse.
This is not always easy since most decks are actually quite complex, and you will not usually have the original instructions in any form. If this is not an option, then using the right tools for the right job can still make it much simpler.
Remove Handrails
Handrails are always going to be one of the first things that you should remove since they are mostly just there as an extra set of components. Start at one end of the deck and take away the top railings first, using screwdrivers or hammers as necessary, depending on how they are held together.
Then, start working on the rest of the railings, taking them apart piece by piece. Remember to keep the nails and scraps in a container if you plan to use them again, especially if they are not bent or damaged. They could be useful.
Remove the Boards
Removing the boards on the deck should be your next step since they are usually in the way of you taking the frame apart. Try to pry them up where you can, removing the screws where possible. If you can’t pull two away from one another, or the wood is too damaged to remove normally, then you might have to rely on your saw instead.
Either way, pull up the boards. If you can avoid damaging them and they are not rotten, then you could potentially re-use them somewhere else.
Remove the Frame
The frame of the deck is one of the more important parts to remove since it is often connected directly to your home. You can cut it apart using your saw if it is not going to come away normally, but make sure that the weight is not being pushed onto your house (or dragging at the wall).
Be very careful when taking the frame apart since the entire structure could be deceptively heavy. You also want to remove the joists that are holding it in place or any other supports that might topple over and damage something (or hurt someone).
Clean up the Debris
There can be a lot of debris leftover from tearing down your deck – hanger boards, support posts, and even sets of steps. Taking these down can be just as important as the rest of the structure, but you should always leave these till last since they are just a minor part of the whole deck.
Remember that these can be small additions that still use quite a lot of material. Stairs are often deceptively material-heavy, so there might be a lot of extra planks left over if you only considered the main deck. This is even more important if there are a lot of nails or sharp points that might hurt you.
If you are struggling to manage everything that is leftover from the project, then consider one of our dumpster rental options. These can make everything a lot easier and help you get the job done faster, as well as speed up the disposal of the scrap or debris that you can’t re-use.
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