If you're going to be throwing away the current deck boards, then you have a
few options to get the screws out. None of which are going to be easy though.
First thing I'd try is take a slightly larger drill bit to the heads. They are
pretty thin so you should be able to take the heads off with a drill.
If that works, you should be able to pry the boards up and off the shafts of
the screws. Try it on a screw near the end to start with.
If it works, then you can grip the shaft with vise grips and twist them out.
If drilling doesn't seem to work, try a hole saw close to the size of the
screw. I think 3 quarters is probably as small as you'll find.
The drill in the center will come out once the set screw is loosened.
You don't have to drill all the way through the board. Just trying to make
some space for those vise grips. You'' have to chisel out to the ring from the
hole saw.
Finally if none of the above work. set your circular saw to the same depth as
the deck board. Now you can cut squares out going cross ways to the boards and
then rip between the deck screws. If you make the squares small enough, you
can use a wood chisel to split the wood away from the screws.
Once again, you can use the vise grips and try one of those damaged screw
removers that go in the drill.
As far as the boards cupping, see if you can get someone to help you mark them.
The growth rings on the ends of the boards should make an ark like a rainbow.
If the arch curves upwards, that should be the top. Screwing them will only
help to pull the arch flat.
If the arch runs downwards and looks like a smile, the edges will keep wanting
to pull up.
----- Original Message -----
From: Alan & Terrie Robbins
To: Blindhandyman
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 6:46 PM
Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Deck board screws
Looking for some opinion before I replace the surface boards
on our 12 by 16 exterior deck. I will be using the pressure
treated premium decking which they refer to as a five
quarter by six. The actual finished width is about 5 and a
half inches. Anyway after I get done removing the old, which
I may say is no small task as many of the Phillips screws
are counter sunk and of course stripped. So one question is
maybe somebody has some novel ideas on removing them that I
have not thought of? All ideas welcome. My question on the
new boards is to minimize cupping over the years do you
think its over kill to use 3 deck screws per joist rather
than the way it is now with 2?
thanks
Al
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