deck boards too tight. Can I saw inbetween????

16 years ago

I'm hoping to get a few more years on my pressure treated deck before replacing the boards. A good number of the boards were either nailed very close or have expanded so that water doesn't drain between them very well. Should I set my circular saw deep enough so not to cut the support beams and run them between the deck boards to reestablish an opening for drainage? Or am I wasting my time? OF course, I would use the correct PPE to avoid the hazardous wood dust.

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Bob Oltman

8 years ago

If you have a Circular saw and are good with it, no problem cutting straight free hand. Don't waste your time with guides. Will attach a picture of before and after. Safety first, set saw depth to not hit joists, make sure no wiring running below that could hit, wear knee pads, Sand so you have a good edge to follow, practice in an area not front and center. If you have a railing you won't be able to go all the way with circular saw, at which point either leave it or hand saw it. Very happy with how mine turned out. Not sure why these contractors are building decks like floors but it's not good. Water damage and no where for debris to go. Don't put up with it. Fix what they did wrong!

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Comments (15)

bferrari
16 years ago
I wouldn't worry about it unless it really bothers you. Just make sure you verify the board thickness first before you cut. If it's 5/4 board set your blade at 1 1/16". If 2x set blade at 1 9/16". DO NOT CUT INTO YOUR JOISTS.
dooer
16 years ago
I also would not bother, if at all possible. If you run a saw between the boards, you might be removing the treated portion of the edge of your deckboards. It depends on how well the chemicals penetrated the edges of the boards.
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our area (eastern PA) doesn't really dry up that much in summer. More humid actually. I looked into some sort of fan installation before i put in the new wood but I couldn't find anything meant for outdoor use. Instead I releveled the ground underneath to prevent the lake that used to form. The board ends were all sealed and I can easily seal the sides of the boards with a small brush if the saw does take off some of the edge. I don't like the idea of using a saw's kerf to do what should have been done initially but it is much too late to cry over it now. My main question is if anyone has tried this before.
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Thanks for the photobucket tip. I have posted photos in the album linked below. In order to replace the damaged portion of the deck boards I will have to cut the ends of the deck boards rather than unscrew the whole board because on one side of the pool there is a deck built above a portion of the boards. (It can be seen on the far side of the pool in one of the photos) On the other side the boards are very long. When the deck was built no one considered what would have to be done to replace a board. It is complicated by the fact that the screws are buried in the boards about an 1/8 inch which means I have to dig with a knife to get to the head so that I can remove the screws. Very time consuming. So I am looking for ideas of how to replace only the damaged parts. You can see in two of those pics that there are support joists running perpendicular to the deck boards about a foot from the end of the boards. The two joists are 2x6s and about 4 inches apart. I was thinking I could take a reciprocating saw and cut the deck boards somewhere around the joists and then install a new piece. Is this the best plan? Where should I cut? Where should I screw the new board? Step by step advice will be very much appreciated? Here is a link that might be useful: Pool Deck Photos
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brooklyndecks
16 years ago
You could do it with a circular saw, but you may need 2 passes to create a sufficient gap. Another way to deal with the problem is by drilling a series of 3/8 or 1/2" holes. I had an old pressure treated deck with the same problem. I waited until after a good rain, and drilled holes where necessary. The problem was caused by a big maple tree dropping lots of tree trash...flowers/seeds/leaves.

steve
decker173
16 years ago
What are the chances of make a straight cut along the deck board? Not very good. I think it would look very amaturish.
dooer,
if the chemical didn't penetrate more than the width of a saw blade I would suspect that the decking would be in pretty bad shape by now.
davidandkasie
16 years ago
when you do replace the boards, this time keep at least 1/4" between them to prevent teh same thing again!
brooklyndecks
16 years ago
1/4" gaps? That's wrong!
If you set 1/4" gaps on wet pressure treated wood, you'll end up falling thru those gaps when the decking shrinks.

steve
Rick Foxworth
8 years ago
I know of a Circular attachment that will allow for widening the space between deck boards.

Watch this video about the Saw Guide from Lounsbury Products.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWB22AOrBYw
Rick Foxworth
8 years ago
I know of a Circular attachment that will allow for widening the space between deck boards.

Watch this video about the Saw Guide from Lounsbury Products.

The video for the Saw Guide has moved to : https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=6K-g1KjRqUQ
millworkman
8 years ago
I repeat, NINE year old post!!
Rick Foxworth
8 years ago
I repeat: Have them remove the 9 year old post millworkman.
millworkman
8 years ago
They don't remove old posts but why dig it up to spam it??????????
Rick Foxworth
8 years ago
I think the question still gets asked. The only reason I posted twice is because the video address has changed. How did you notice a new posting on a 9 year old thread?
Rick Foxworth
8 years ago

Bob freehand is great for folks that are good with a circular saw. To make precise smooth cuts along the side of a deck board nothing is easier than the Saw Guide from Lounsbury Products.
Bob Oltman
8 years ago
It really doesn't take much skill, follow your eyesight guide and saw tends to keep it straight. I have looked at that guide and feel most who own a skill saw have the skill to do this. And if your a little off center from time to time no big deal. It's not a church and the ones who notice and say something, well offer your saw to them!!

deck boards too tight. Can I saw inbetween????

Bob Oltman

Comments (15)

bferrari

dooer

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