How to reattach deck corner piece?

[Coolaholigah]

Hi and thanks in advance.

could you please suggest a product which would allow me to reattach the triangular timber pieces which are a small return around the fascia under the edge of a timber deck. The photos show the piece which has loosened and the spot it has come from.

obviously I would need to sand off the old adhesive and clean area before reattaching

[JacobZ]

Hi @Coolaholigah,

Ideally, you would use a combination of wood glue and a finish nail.

I'd suggest, like you mentioned, sanding or chiselling off the old adhesive, then preparing the surface by sanding with some 120-grit sandpaper.

I would then suggest coating the surface of the return piece and where it is being installed with a liberal amount of wood glue and setting it in place. 

You can then drive 2-3 bullet head nails of a suitable length, through the return piece and ideally into the framing on the right of picture 3. It is likely worthwhile to put a small pilot hole through the timber at an angle towards the framing to prevent splitting.

You can then use a nail punch to drive the heads of the nails below the surface of the timber, then cover them with Polyfilla Exterior Timber Filler, sand and paint.

If you are just looking for something quick and easy, you can just use wood glue, but you'll need to find a way to clamp it in place while it dries. I am happy to help with this if I could see a few more angles of where the return piece is being attached.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[Coolaholigah]

Thank you.

the clamping will be difficult. I’ll need to get on the ladder and see what might be possible. There are a lot of wood glues! Are you aware of one that is suitable for exterior to narrow it down

i have used Sika Extreme Grab in the past. Maybe that would work

[Coolaholigah]

Suggestions for clamping would be appreciated. See photo. The glass balustrade makes access difficult (as does it being about 1.5 storeys up). And there is one of those boxes on a downpipe to the right. I have a couple of G clamps but I can’t see how they would work

[JacobZ]

Hi @Coolaholigah,

I'd suggest using Selleys 250mL Aquadhere PVA Wood Glue Exterior Adhesive. PVA glue is the best glue you can use with timber, and this is a fantastic one for outdoors.

Is there a way you could wedge something against the rainhead to hold the timber in place while it dries?

Alternatively, is there a way you could remove the outer decking board and slip a clamp over the top and use the frame underneath?

It's a bit of a tough spot. Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[Coolaholigah]

That glue worked very well thank you! It gripped pretty quickly and I just used painters tape to hold it while it set completely. W due to the access I can’t really nail it as well (as well as the risk to the glass panel if I tried to hammer near there) so fingers crossed the glue will last a while. Thanks again