[heieri08]

Hello everyone
I need some advice for a summer project. I want to replank a 30 year old deck. My deck is around 530sqft. I have gotten qoutes from contractors all have all averaged 17k-15k to just replank with composite. 10k for pressure.
So I am thinking I will have to do it myself. All the contractors who looked said the structure was in good shape.
My main worry is down the line the post my start to rot. Am I over thinking it?
I looked into concrete but that is 13k-10k.

 

[Thunder Chicken]

What are the posts sitting on? It's all washed out in the picture.

If it worked for 30 years and still looks good, leave it be. Pulling up the decking is a good time to inspect and fix any structural problems.

 

[ToolSeeker]

Might get by with just turning the boards over. They really don't look in bad shape.

 

[joecaption]

If you do go with composite read there install directions, most will call for more floor joist if yours are spaced at 24" on center.
Google "Gutster Pry Bar" for a cool tool to make pulling those deck boards a lot easier.

 

[carpdad]

As long as it's a diy, you can remove the decking and turn them over to reuse them. How hard it is depends on the condition of the fasteners. The catspaw, 4' pry bar, and see if you can find other means of removing the nails.
1. cut the inner most decking in half. This will reposition the decking so you don't end up nailing into the same nail holes. The ends may have to be cut. I would put some kind of weather barrier on the edge of the joists. Even better is applying a wood preservative on the exposed edges and holes.
2. If the posts are buried or are in contact with ground, you must check their condition, but the chances are, if they are, you must replace them.
3. Check the condition of flashing and replace.
4. You will have to get some new decking. Use the old ones first and keep the spacing. New ones will have to be almost butted together because they will shrink.

 

[heieri08]

Thanks everyone for the advice =)

 

[ChuckF.]

Don't know that you even have to replace those boards. If you scrubbed them with deck wash from the home centers (basically a bleach chemical) and put a coat of quality semitransparent stain on them they might look near as good as new.