Loose nails on balcony joist brackets

[GoughWitlof]

 

Hello, I'm currently redoing my balcony and while I was pulling up the old decking I've found that the joist brackets are fairly warped and have loose nails. The balcony itself is front supported and the joists still seem to be sitting quite squarely in against the wall. Wondering if just bashing in the loose ones will be fine or if this could indicate bigger problems down the line and I should consider adding some screws or something?

I'm very much an amateur at building so any other advice I may not be considering would be very much appreciated.

Thank you!

[AlanM52]

Hi @GoughWitlof,

I would replace the nails with Type 17 countersink screws.

Screws have superior grip so you don't need to drive a screw into every bracket hole.

Also check-out this discussion.

Cheers

[EricL]

Hello @GoughWitlof 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about your balcony.

It's great that you've received excellent advice from @AlanM52. Just to add an extra idea to the suggestion made, I propose hammering in the loose nails and adding extra screws to the plate. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Nailbag and @Dave-1 for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @GoughWitlof 

It's a large difficult job to simply pry out the old nails to replace them with larger ones or screws. It's easier to pry each bracket off, but thats also very difficult from first hand experience. If the timbers are all good which they look like they are, I would drill pilot holes just through brackets and then drive screws in as @AlanM52 suggested. Much easier, quicker and will serve the same purpose. 3-4 either side will be fine.

Nailbag