Share
What is a good method to remove deck planks without damage when they have been nailed down? Some joists are rotten and need replacing. They are the short ones on the deck edge and long ones seem fine. Figure this is a weekend DIY project.
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @VeeJay. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about removing decking boards.
It’s worth accepting that removing deck boards without any damage is very unlikely, especially if they’ve been nailed down for years. The nails usually hold more tightly than the timber can withstand, so trying to pry them up often ends with split or broken boards. If you want to preserve the boards, a specialised timber floor remover like the Mumme Reno Bar is your best bet: it lets you get under the first board and lever it up more evenly. A pry bar can work too, but it’s much harder to do without damaging the boards. In most cases, especially with treated pine, it’s simpler and often cheaper to cut out the section of boards above the rotted joists and replace them along with new timber for that area.
Regarding the joists, the short ones at the edges are often the first to show decay. Before removing anything, it’s worth testing them with a hammer or screwdriver: surface green or fungal marks don’t always mean the timber is structurally compromised. If the joist is soft, crumbling, or hollowed, it should definitely be replaced. One approach that avoids fully removing the deck is to add new joists alongside the old ones, screwing them into place. This can save a lot of time and effort, and it’s usually simpler than trying to lift and reuse the existing decking.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mitchell
