How to fill screw holes on deck?

Question

Hi Guys,

A couple of questions about sorting out this deck.

* I'm wondering about these screw holes.

Three years ago the deck was in worse condition with rot developing around many screws. I replaced a number of boards but also decided to remove old screws,  re-fit and sink new screws and fill - huge job and now obviously a rookie mistake. The filler in most screws has popped from the expansion of the boards.

Is my best option now just to paint over? Do not want to re-fill and experience the same outcome as above. Is the paint in the screw holes likely to lift too?

Alternatively, any long term advantage to re-fit new larger head screws and leave flush?

2. What's the expected life of the exterior paint on decks? (This job above has lasted about 3 years.

Thanks.

DIY4Knuckleheds · Answer

G'day Diamondo50, if that was my deck, l would sand it back and apply at least two liberal coats of a good quality oil based decking oil and then reapply every two years. I would also avoid painting the deck with paint as if the paint cracks or lifts where the screws are, water will seep in and rot the wood.

Good luck 👍

EricL · Answer

Hello @Diamondo50

My best advice is to drill new pilot holes on the boards and use a

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-4-piece-countersink-drill-bit-set_p0525187

to prep the surface of the board for the screw heads.

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing your decking screws installed and your deck repaired.

Eric

Diamondo50 · Answer

Thanks EricL, Nailbag and Dave-1,

Dave-1 Yes, now that I remember, the original reason that I sunk in new screws was because in preparing the deck for painting (using an upright belt sander), I expected that the sanding process would not only grind the existing flush screws, but progressively rip the sanding belt. Those screw heads were filled with paint and pretty much impossible to try to tighten.

So off I went and spent days replacing the old screws with new screws (had to use a screw extractor too often!) sinking and then filling them.

If I go for replacing the existing screws (which have 10mm heads), new larger head-screws (12mm heads?) will increase gauge - and I'm thinking this might create problems for the ends of the boards with splitting etc.

So on balance, I'll replace a few boards, sand and paint. In the future, painted screw-heads will be a pain to try to remove, but still do-able….if patient:)

Thanks again.