You are looking for information, articles, knowledge about the topic nail salons open on sunday near me how to remove old screws from a deck on Google, you do not find the information you need! Here are the best content compiled and compiled by the Chewathai27.com team, along with other related topics such as: how to remove old screws from a deck deck screw extractor, how to remove old decking screws, how to remove composite deck screws, how to remove deck boards without damage, how to remove old deck boards, how to remove broken deck screws, removing torx deck screws, how to remove deck screws filled with paint
Use a pair of locking pliers to remove the offending screws. Grip the head with the pliers, lock them, then turn the pliers counter-clockwise to remove the screw from the wood. Another option is to use the drill chuck technique. Remove the bit from your power driver.If the screw is being especially stubborn, try using a hammer. With one hand, hold your screwdriver in place and slowly try to turn it while hitting the back of the screwdriver with a hammer. This is the same premise that an impact driver works on.
Contents
How do you unscrew a screw that won’t budge?
If the screw is being especially stubborn, try using a hammer. With one hand, hold your screwdriver in place and slowly try to turn it while hitting the back of the screwdriver with a hammer. This is the same premise that an impact driver works on.
Will wd40 loosen a screw?
All you need to do is soak the screw with the WD-40 Specialist Penetrant spray and let it work its magic for about fifteen minutes or so. The WD-40 Specialist Penetrant spray will loosen the screw enough for you to remove it with ease with a screwdriver in your hand. It’s as simple as that!
Why is the screw not coming out?
Hold the body of the impact driver to prevent it from turning. Then hit the end with a serious blow. If the screw still won’t budge and the surrounding surfaces can tolerate some heat, aim a lighter flame directly onto the screw head. Then douse it with cold water before trying it again.
Why do deck screws have reverse threads?
Often, when screwing into composite material, the lumber mushrooms up a bit. The reverse thread on these screws cuts that mushroom head off, and the concave face pushes the rest of the material down for a natural, flush look.
What is the best screw extractor?
- IRWIN Screw Extractor Drill Bit Set. …
- Easyout Damaged Screw Extractor Set. …
- RWYMQWT Damaged&Stripped Drill Bit Set. …
- RMQ Stripped Screw Extractor Set. …
- Jellas 22PCS Damaged Screw Extractor. …
- XOOL Screw Extractor Kit. …
- ORIA Damaged Screw Extractor Set.
How do you disassemble an old deck?
- Take Down the Handrails. Once your deck is totally clear, you can begin with removing the rails. …
- Pry Off the Deck Boards. …
- Cut the Deck Frame Away from Your House. …
- Cut Joists Off. …
- Remove Hanger Boards. …
- Dig Out Support Posts. …
- Pull the Steps Apart.
how to remove old screws from a deck
- Article author: plasticinehouse.com
- Reviews from users: 4818
Ratings - Top rated: 3.7
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about how to remove old screws from a deck Updating …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for how to remove old screws from a deck Updating
- Table of Contents:
5 Guaranteed Tricks to Remove Stuck Screws – YouTube
- Article author: www.youtube.com
- Reviews from users: 1024 Ratings
- Top rated: 4.2
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about 5 Guaranteed Tricks to Remove Stuck Screws – YouTube Updating …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for 5 Guaranteed Tricks to Remove Stuck Screws – YouTube Updating In this video I’ll show you 5 tricks to remove almost any stubborn or stripped screw. I work around old building so I encounter a TON of old stripped or stub…video, chia sẻ, điện thoại có máy ảnh, điện thoại quay video, miễn phí, tải lên
- Table of Contents:
4 Guaranteed Tricks To Remove Stubborn Screws – The Craftsman Blog
- Article author: thecraftsmanblog.com
- Reviews from users: 24333 Ratings
- Top rated: 4.0
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about 4 Guaranteed Tricks To Remove Stubborn Screws – The Craftsman Blog Updating …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for 4 Guaranteed Tricks To Remove Stubborn Screws – The Craftsman Blog Updating These 4 tricks will help you remove stubborn stuck screws on almost any old hardware. Try these and you’ll never fail.
- Table of Contents:
Trick #1 Remove the Paint
Trick #2 Add Lubricant
Trick #3 Break Out the Hammer
Trick #4 Time to Drill
Post navigation
Comments navigation
Comments navigation
Hi I’m Scott!
Attend a Workshop
How to Remove Rusted Screws from Wood. – YouTube
- Article author: www.youtube.com
- Reviews from users: 16955 Ratings
- Top rated: 3.0
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about How to Remove Rusted Screws from Wood. – YouTube Updating …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How to Remove Rusted Screws from Wood. – YouTube Updating Here is a simple trick that shows you how to remove rusted screws from wood.today I’m just going to show you a little trick about how to get the rusty bolt o…simple trick to help remove rusty screws and bolts, save money, rusty hinges, remove screws, tough screws, rusted bolt removal tricks, rusted bolt removal, remove rusty, rusted screw, rusty screw, remove corroded screw, corroded screw removal, rusted screw removal, rusted screw extractor, corroded screw head, how to remove rusted screws from wood, how to remove rusty screws, how to remove rusted screws, remove rusty screws, rusty screw removal trick
- Table of Contents:
Quick Tip: How To Remove Cortex Plugs & Screws || Dr Decks – YouTube
- Article author: www.youtube.com
- Reviews from users: 23382 Ratings
- Top rated: 3.4
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about Quick Tip: How To Remove Cortex Plugs & Screws || Dr Decks – YouTube Updating …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Quick Tip: How To Remove Cortex Plugs & Screws || Dr Decks – YouTube Updating You ever mess up on your Cortexing? Need to pull a board? The Doc shows you how to remove them easily. ——————————————————…Dr decks, drdecks, deck building, custom decks, pacific northwest, carpentry, decks, deck, deck board bending
- Table of Contents:
How to Remove Old Deck Screws | Hunker
- Article author: www.hunker.com
- Reviews from users: 37064 Ratings
- Top rated: 4.9
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about How to Remove Old Deck Screws | Hunker Use a Deck Screw Extractor. The screws you use for decking have either Phillips or hexagonal Torx heads, and when a screw is stuck, it’s easy … …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How to Remove Old Deck Screws | Hunker Use a Deck Screw Extractor. The screws you use for decking have either Phillips or hexagonal Torx heads, and when a screw is stuck, it’s easy … When you have to remove deck screws that are stripped, you can use one of several methods depending on the distance of the heads above the surface of the wood.
- Table of Contents:
In This Article
Use a Deck Screw Extractor
Use Locking or Regular Pliers
Other Ways to Remove Deck Screws
How to remove screws from old decking – Home Improvement Stack Exchange
- Article author: diy.stackexchange.com
- Reviews from users: 37195 Ratings
- Top rated: 3.8
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about How to remove screws from old decking – Home Improvement Stack Exchange Given that you’re not trying to save the deck boards, I’d use a circular saw to rough cut them first, then use a sledge hammer to knock them off … …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How to remove screws from old decking – Home Improvement Stack Exchange Given that you’re not trying to save the deck boards, I’d use a circular saw to rough cut them first, then use a sledge hammer to knock them off …
- Table of Contents:
5 Answers
5
Your Answer
Not the answer you’re looking for Browse other questions tagged screws decking or ask your own question
How to Remove Deckings With Stripped Screws Ultra Decking | Ultra Decking®
- Article author: ultradecking.co.uk
- Reviews from users: 31327 Ratings
- Top rated: 4.6
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about How to Remove Deckings With Stripped Screws Ultra Decking | Ultra Decking® For this method, grab some pliers or vice grips, preferably locking ones. Then, grip the screw heads with pliers and gently pry out the screws … …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How to Remove Deckings With Stripped Screws Ultra Decking | Ultra Decking® For this method, grab some pliers or vice grips, preferably locking ones. Then, grip the screw heads with pliers and gently pry out the screws … how do you remove deck boards with stripped screws? If you want to take out the screws, here are some ways you can do it.
- Table of Contents:
Attention Required! | Cloudflare
- Article author: upgradedhome.com
- Reviews from users: 21911 Ratings
- Top rated: 4.2
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about Attention Required! | Cloudflare To remove the deck board that is attached with screws use pliers to grip the head of the screw, lock them into position, and turn counter-clockwise to pull … …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Attention Required! | Cloudflare To remove the deck board that is attached with screws use pliers to grip the head of the screw, lock them into position, and turn counter-clockwise to pull …
- Table of Contents:
Please complete the security check to access upgradedhomecom
Why do I have to complete a CAPTCHA
What can I do to prevent this in the future
How to Remove Deck Boards with Screws? [5 Easy Steps] – Tools Pro Kit
- Article author: toolsprokit.com
- Reviews from users: 49224 Ratings
- Top rated: 4.8
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about How to Remove Deck Boards with Screws? [5 Easy Steps] – Tools Pro Kit Many other screw shafts are undetachable. Your only option to get r of them is by cutting them. Use a cutter or saw to get the part and make … …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How to Remove Deck Boards with Screws? [5 Easy Steps] – Tools Pro Kit Many other screw shafts are undetachable. Your only option to get r of them is by cutting them. Use a cutter or saw to get the part and make … A detailed tutorial on how to remove deck boards with screws. Toolsprokit has all the info you need for your next DIY project.
- Table of Contents:
Best Tool for Removing Deck Boards
Removing Deck Boards (Step by Step Guide)
Tricks to Removing Deck Boards
Conclusion
Reader Interactions
Primary Sidebar
How do you remove deck boards with stripped screws? | | geeksplayinggames.com
- Article author: geeksplayinggames.com
- Reviews from users: 46833 Ratings
- Top rated: 3.4
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about How do you remove deck boards with stripped screws? | | geeksplayinggames.com To begin unscrewing the screw, turn the screwdriver counterclockwise. Start by cautiously rotating the screwdriver, since the edges of the screw … …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How do you remove deck boards with stripped screws? | | geeksplayinggames.com To begin unscrewing the screw, turn the screwdriver counterclockwise. Start by cautiously rotating the screwdriver, since the edges of the screw …
- Table of Contents:
With a rubber band how do you remove a stripped screw
What is the best way to repair a stripped screw hole in metal
How do you get a broken screw out
When the head of a screw is worn out how do you remove it
Do you know how to flip your deck boards
What’s the best way to maintain my deck planks straight
Is it possible to replace old deck planks with new ones
What’s the best way to preserve my deck planks from rotting
When should my deck be replaced
How do you get a corroded screw with a stripped head out of the way
How do you get a stripped hex head bolt out of the way
Easy and Quick Way To Remove Deck Screws – General Chat – Red Power Magazine Community
- Article author: www.redpowermagazine.com
- Reviews from users: 282 Ratings
- Top rated: 4.7
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about Easy and Quick Way To Remove Deck Screws – General Chat – Red Power Magazine Community sometimes they pull with the board and sometimes they stick in the wood below. After you get the board off you can try taking them out using a … …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Easy and Quick Way To Remove Deck Screws – General Chat – Red Power Magazine Community sometimes they pull with the board and sometimes they stick in the wood below. After you get the board off you can try taking them out using a … Each year I wind up having to replace a few deck boards that have become ‘cupped’ on the end, or is starting to split. Because the screw head is sunken beneath the surface of the wood, and the crap that has filled up the hole, it is impossible to see the head of the screw, and most of them are no…
- Table of Contents:
See more articles in the same category here: Top 122 tips update new.
How To Remove Deck Boards With Screws
6 shares Share
Pin
Even the most expertly installed decks will eventually succumb to the elements. Deck boards will crack, rot, and begin to pull up, requiring you to remove and replace boards. While this is not a difficult project to complete, damaged fasteners can slow a repair project down.
Stripped, rusted, bent, and fused screws can all be a real headache to remove.
In this article, we’ll review how to remove deck boards with screws. We’ll provide you with a wide range of methods for removing stubborn screws and suggest a few handy products that might aid you in this effort.
How to Remove Deck Boards With Screws
There are a variety of reasons why you may need to remove those old deck boards. Rotting, splintered, or cracked boards are not only unsightly, but they also present a safety hazard. The solution is to remove the damaged board and replace it with a new one.
The problem is, removing old decking can be a real chore. The screws holding these boards in place have been slowly broken down by sunlight, rain, snow, and ice.
And while you may be able to back out most screws with a cordless power drive, often, that’s not the case. You won’t be able to back out a stripped screw. The screw head might also be covered in paint or destroyed by rust and corrosion.
Given the broad range of problems you might face when attempting to remove deck boards with screws, you’ll need to use a varied approach. Let’s review your options.
Method 1: Backing Out the Screw
Of the methods on this list, this is by far the most preferable. The more screws you can back out using a power driver, the faster this job will be done, and the quicker you can move on to installing the new boards. The steps below will help you successfully back out the old screws in your damaged decking:
Step 1: Prepare the Screw
Begin by assessing what you’ve got. While some screws may be in good enough condition to remove by simply applying the appropriate bit and backing the screw out, others may need some prep.
If you have a painted deck, you’ll need to clean the screw heads. Paint can block the bit from properly engaging the screw’s drive (the molded shape that your bit fits into), preventing you from backing out the screw. Use a metal pick or a handheld screwdriver to scrape the paint out of the way.
In addition to paint, the decking itself can block access to the screw head. When it’s green, wood decking tends to close around the head of a screw as it dries. So, wood may be blocking access to some of the screw heads in the deck.
If this is the case, use a Dremel tool or metal pick to grind the wood away from the screw head so you can access it with your driver.
Once the screw head is visible, take a moment to assess its condition. If the screw appears stripped or rusted, consider adding a friction gel such as Screwgrab to the head of the screw. The gel prevents stripping by creating friction between the bit and the screw’s head. The gel helps the bit to “grab” the screw, allowing you to back it out more easily.
If the screw is rusty, add a lubricant such as WD-40 around the screw’s shaft to loosen the wood’s grip on the metal. Just avoid spraying the screw head with lubricant, as this will cause the bit to spin in the screw’s head.
Finally, before backing out the screw, insert a handheld screwdriver into the screw head and give it a few firm taps with a hammer. The impact will loosen the metal threads in the wood, making it easier to extract.
Step 2: Back out the Screw
Make sure you are using the best tools available to you. Torque is typically the critical force when it comes to removing the screw. The more rotational force you can create, the easier it is to back out a stubborn screw.
You’ll get the best results with an impact driver, which has significantly more torque than standard cordless drivers.
Often, removing an old screw is as simple as engaging your power driver, setting it to reverse, and pulling the trigger. If you’re lucky, this method will work for most screws in your deck repair project.
But, chances are, you’ll have to contend with a few problematic screws. The most common obstacle you’ll face is a stripped screw.
If the screw head is protruding from the face of the deck board, you have a couple of options. Use a pair of locking pliers to remove the offending screws. Grip the head with the pliers, lock them, then turn the pliers counter-clockwise to remove the screw from the wood.
Another option is to use the drill chuck technique. Remove the bit from your power driver. Place the chuck over the screw head, then tighten the chuck as tightly as you can. Set the driver to reverse and back the screw out.
If you’re trying to remove a countersunk screw, you’ll need to try a different strategy. One option is to use a screw extractor set, such as SpeedOut . A screw extractor kit typically includes a double-sided bit. One side drills into the bit and the other side removes the screw.
To remove a screw with a screw extractor set, begin using the specialty bit to burrow a threaded hole into the screw head. Then flip the bit and use the other side to remove it.
Another option is to carve a groove into the head of the stripped screw. Using a hack saw cut a notch that bisects the top of the screw head. Then use a flathead screwdriver to back out the screw.
For a sheared-off screw head, use lock pliers to clamp onto the screw’s shaft and rotate counter-clockwise to remove it. If the shaft of the screw isn’t accessible, use a drill or utility knife to grind away the wood around the screw to gain access.
If you have a large job or expect to remove a significant number of stripped screws, consider investing in specialty pliers such as Vampliers. Vampliers screw extraction pliers have serrated teeth that grip onto screws for easy extraction.
After you’ve removed the screws, remember to dispose of them properly. Keep an old can or jar handy to collect the old screws.
Method 2: Prying off the Boards
Despite your best efforts, sometimes a screw simply cannot be backed out of decking. The screw may be too stripped, fused, or corroded to back out. When that happens, you’ll need to employ a more extreme method to remove those old deck board screws: prying off the boards.
Begin by gathering the tools you’ll need. While a pry bar will do the job, I strongly encourage you to invest in a deck wrecker, especially if you will be prying apart a large amount of decking.
A deck wrecker has two large tines that slide under the decking around the joists. A large pole attached to the tines provides leverage for pulling the boards free.
This process is undoubtedly easier for rotted decking; however, it’s still doable even with wood that’s still in good shape.
Step 1: Identify the best pry point
The best point to pry a board loose is near the fasteners. While you won’t be able to pry directly under the screw because of the joist’s positioning, you can get close. Position the pry bar right next to the joist to get the best results.
If you’re using a deck wrecker, position the tines, so they are under the decking with the joist in between them.
Step 2: Pry board
Before you begin, don a thick pair of gloves to protect your hands from rusty screws and splintered wood.
If using a pry bar, pull down on the bar once it is in position to begin loosening the board. You may need to alternate sides of the joist to loosen the board if using a standard pry bar.
Once you’re able to get a gap between the board and the joist, reposition the pry bar directly between the board and the beam and apply force to free the board.
If you’re using a deck wrecker, simply pull the handle back to pull the board free. You can create more leverage by pulling higher on the handle.
Step 3: Remove/Cut Screw Shaft
Depending on whether the entire screw went with the board or not when you removed it, you may still have a screw (or part of one) to remove.
There are a couple of methods you can use to extract the screw. Use vice-grip pliers to grip the screw body, then turn counter-clockwise to remove the screw. If that doesn’t work, it’s time to cut.
Use a Dremel tool or a reciprocating saw with a metal cutting blade to cut the screw flush to the joist. Pound the screw flush to the joist with a hammer if needed
Method 3: Cutting the Boards
You can’t back out the screws because they’re too damaged, but the decking boards are too tightly screwed to the joists to pry them loose. Now what? It’s time to cut them loose.
You’ll still need your pry bars, so keep them handy. What you’ll be doing here is cutting the boards into smaller pieces that can be more easily worked loose.
Step 1: Plan Sections to Cut
To get the board out, you need to minimize the number of fasteners holding it. To this, you’ll need to cut the boards down to size. Plan cuts, so the board you’re trying to remove only crosses two joists instead of four or more. By shortening the boards, you decrease the number of screws you’re wrestling with, making the boards easier to pry loose.
The critical thing to remember is that you are repairing, not destroying, the deck. With that in mind, first, do no harm. Avoid cutting across joists, which will damage the deck’s framework, resulting in additional repairs to your deck.
If you’re concerned about accidentally cutting in the wrong place, use a chalk line or marker to plan your cuts, making sure not to cross any joists. You can also set the depth on your circular saw, so it is only deep enough to cut through the decking. You still may cut a shallow groove through a joist if you cross one, but the damage will be negligible.
Step 2: Cut Decking
Once you’ve planned and marked the cut lines, begin cutting. If you’re removing a lot of decking, you’ll want to complete one section at a time, removing boards.
Step 3: Remove Boards
Make sure to wear gloves to protect your hands. As in the previous method, use a pry bar or deck wrecker to pull the boards free. The smaller cut-up pieces will be easier to remove than full-length deck boards.
Once you’ve freed one side of a board, attempt to pull up the loose end manually. Depending on how long the board is, it may provide enough leverage on its own to pull the remaining screws free.
Step 4: Remove/Cut Screw Shaft
Once you’ve removed the old board, make sure to dispose of it safely, especially if screws are jutting out of it. If the screws (or part of them) remained in the joist, use locking pliers to remove the screws. If that’s not possible, use a reciprocating saw or oscillating multi-tool to cut the screws flush to the wood.
Alternate Methods for Removing Decking Boards
From time to time, you’ll run into stubborn screws that just refuse to budge. In which case, you may need to employ some alternate methods. One of those methods involves using a plug cutter. This cylindrical shaped drill bit allows you to drill a circular plug around the screw. Plug cutters come in a wide variety of sizes ranging from 1/4” up to 5/8”. Choose the smallest size that will fit around the screw heads. This will make removing the screw heads later easier.
Drilling to the proper depth takes a little bit of skill and good judgment as you’ll need to drill through the deck board but not into the joist.
Once you’ve drilled all the screws, you should be able to lift the board off of the joist. You can now remove the offending screws more easily. Simply chip away the remaining wood around each screw, then work each screw loose with locking pliers or cut it flush to the joist.
As with decking nails, it’s possible to drill out the heads of screws to remove the boards. All you need is a drill and a bit that’s large enough in diameter to drill out the center of the screw. For a Phillips head screw, find a bit that’s large enough to cover the center.
Begin drilling the center out of the screw head. The metal for most screws is soft enough that the drill should easily grind through it. Drill just deep enough to remove the screw head.
Since most wood deck screws have threading on the lower on only the half of the screw. As this is the half that ends up in the joist, you should be able to simply pull the board off of the screw once you’ve drilled off the head, leaving the body of the screw sticking out of the joist.
As with the above methods, use a pair of locking pliers to remove the screw shaft or cut the shaft flush to the joist.
Conclusion
Removing stubborn screws from old decking can undoubtedly be a frustrating process. A few stripped screws can turn that deck repair that was supposed to last an afternoon into a project that consumes your entire weekend.
I hope the methods in this article help speed up your deck renovation project by making the process of removing those old deck boards easier. If you have any questions or comments about removing screws from deck boards, please leave a comment below.
4 Guaranteed Tricks To Remove Stubborn Screws
Last week I talked about how to remove paint from hardware, so in keeping with that theme, I wanted to discuss some tips to remove stubborn screws. After all, you can’t restore old hardware unless you can first get it off the door or window it’s attached to.
Old flat head screws that have been attached for close to a century can be tortuously difficult to remove. Either they are painted in place, rusted in place, or simply screwed into wood that is so hard they refuse to budge.
Before you resort to brute force and strip the head so there is no chance it will turn, try some of these tips to get that screw to finally back out.
Tip: Stay away from power drivers for old screws because it is all to simple to strip the screw head. You really should use a good old-fashioned screwdriver for this.
Check out the video below that I recently added to this post to show these 4 tricks in action. Of course I had to work in at least 1 new trick after a few years so you can see how the 5th trick compares to the others.
Trick #1 Remove the Paint
Old paint is like glue holding those screws in place. Take a chisel and scrape the paint away from the nail head. There are two places you want to completely clear of old paint. First, the outer perimeter of the screw where the head meets the piece of hardware it’s holding, and second, the slot that will hold your screwdriver tip.
I’ve found that a razor knife or an old chisel works well for this. Once these areas are clean, see if you can get the screw to turn, if not it’s time for Tip #2.
Trick #2 Add Lubricant
WD-40, Liquid Wrench, whatever you want to use, give the screws a good dousing in a spray lubricant that is designed to break up rust and get things moving again. Let it sit for a few minutes and give it a try again. That should get things moving, but if not it’s on to Trick #3.
Trick #3 Break Out the Hammer
If the screw is being especially stubborn, try using a hammer. With one hand, hold your screwdriver in place and slowly try to turn it while hitting the back of the screwdriver with a hammer. This is the same premise that an impact driver works on. The impacts knock the screw loose a bit while you are trying to turn it free. More often than not, I can get almost any screw free using this trick.
Trick #4 Time to Drill
Sometimes not matter what you do, that screw isn’t going to move. If that is the case, you can still get that old hardware off with one last trick. Drill it out. Get a metal drill bit the size of the screw head, put your drill on the low speed/high torque setting and drill the screw out. Be careful not to drill through the hardware.
You’ll have to drill down into the wood enough to completely remove the length of the screw that is still embedded in the wood and then patch the wood with a dutchman or epoxy before being able to install a new screw.
There is one other trick that is available, but I have had almost zero success with it so I didn’t want to mention it, but I’m sure someone would ask, “Why didn’t you mention screw extractors, Scott?” For those wondering, here it is:
In my experience, they don’t work! I’ve tried at least half a dozen different screw extractors and none of them have worked. Maybe I haven’t tried the right one yet, but after 6 or 7 tries I have decided it’s a technology that is not worth my time and money anymore. For the video above I decided to give a screw extractor one more try to see if it worked. You can see how it turned out.
If you have a screw extractor that works great for you, then I suggest you stick with it, but for me, I’m sticking with these 4 tricks. Using one or all of these tricks, I have yet to come across a piece of old hardware I couldn’t remove…yet.
Subscribe Now For Your FREE eBook! First Name John Your email [email protected] Submit
How to Remove Old Deck Screws
Image Credit: Evkaz/iStock/GettyImages See More Photos
Anyone with a wood or composite deck has encountered the following problem: You need to remove a decking board, either because it’s worn and needs to be replaced or you need to access the deck foundation or the underside of the deck. When you try to remove the deck screws, one or more strip when you’re trying to back them out.
Advertisement
Video of the Day
If you’re demolishing the deck, you can just take a deckboard removal tool and muscle the board off the joists, screws and all. If you do that, you can sometimes even fill the holes or turn over the boards and reuse them. That’s a lot of work, though, and there are easier and more elegant ways to remove stuck and stripped screws.
Advertisement
Use a Deck Screw Extractor
The screws you use for decking have either Phillips or hexagonal Torx heads, and when a screw is stuck, it’s easy for the drill bit to wear the slots into a smooth crater. Instead of engaging with the screw, the bit spins ineffectively, and the drill motor surges. When that happens, you need a screw extractor, which is a cone-shaped, reverse-thread drill bit.
Advertisement
Many extractor bits come with two ends. On one end is a cutting tool to make a hole for the other end, which is the extractor. Insert the bit into your drill with the cutting end exposed, set the drill in reverse, and use the bit to grind a depression in the screw head. When the hole is deep enough, reverse the bit in your drill, keep the drill in reverse, insert the extractor into the head, and push down while you operate the drill at a low speed to back out the screw.
Advertisement
Use Locking or Regular Pliers
When you’re driving a screw into dense wood, the head sometimes strips before the screw sinks all the way. You can’t leave the screw like that, obviously, so you try to back out the screw, but you have no luck. If the head is more than about a half inch above the wood, you can extract the screw by locking on a pair of locking pliers and using them to turn the screw counterclockwise.
Advertisement
Locking pliers won’t help if the head is closer to the wood than a half inch because they can’t grab on. You might be able to grab the head with a pair of nonlocking pliers, especially if you use pliers designed specifically for this purpose, such as Vampliers. A good pair of linesman pliers may also work.
Advertisement
Other Ways to Remove Deck Screws
If you have a lot of screws to extract, avoid stripped heads by putting a few drops of a friction gel on each head before you back it out. The gel increases the friction between the drill bit and the screw head by as much as 400 percent and pretty much eliminates stripped heads. It even works if the head is already stripped.
Advertisement
If you end up simply prying off a decking board and one or more of the screws remains embedded in the joist, you can use any of the above methods to extract it if the head is stripped. It’s a lot easier, however, to just break off the screw. A few hard taps with a hammer is all it takes to do that.
So you have finished reading the how to remove old screws from a deck topic article, if you find this article useful, please share it. Thank you very much. See more: deck screw extractor, how to remove old decking screws, how to remove composite deck screws, how to remove deck boards without damage, how to remove old deck boards, how to remove broken deck screws, removing torx deck screws, how to remove deck screws filled with paint
