Back deck: restore or replace?

Ed_B

Hi there,

our back deck needs work. There are screws sticking up and the wood is degrading - so even if I screw the screws in deeper, they either spin in place or else the planks are warped so if you step on one end the screw at the other end pops up again (suggesting it isn’t really attached to anything under the plank).

  

I’m trying to decide whether to restore or replace the back deck. I don’t want to spend huge money but I need to solve the problem to prevent our kids (or us) injuring themselves on the protruding nails. 
I should add that I have very limited DIY skills…

MitchellMc

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Ed_B. It's wonderful to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about decking.

Overall, your deck doesn’t appear to be in terrible shape, but the issues you’ve described do point to some underlying structural concerns. The loose boards and spinning screws suggest that the joists beneath may have started to decay, or that the screws have lost their grip due to timber deterioration. The best approach is to determine whether the problem is localised or widespread. Start by removing a few of the worst boards where screws are lifting or spinning freely and inspect the joists underneath. If the joists are still solid, you can reposition the screws slightly into sound timber or use new screw holes to secure the boards again. If the joists are soft, crumbling, or water-damaged, that area will need reinforcement, which might involve installing new timber alongside the affected joists to create a fresh fixing point.

If only a few sections are affected, repairing and re-securing those boards before sanding and re-coating the deck will be a practical, budget-friendly solution. However, if you find that the issue extends across most of the deck and many boards are coming loose, that indicates the subframe is compromised, and replacing the deck may be the more cost-effective and safer long-term option. Given your limited DIY experience, it might be worth having a carpenter or deck builder inspect the framing before you commit, as they can confirm whether a targeted repair is viable or if a full rebuild is needed.

Here's a helpful guide: How to restore a deck.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell