How To Remove Deck Nails Without Damaging Wood: 3 Easy Ways Of Removing Deck Nails Without Damaging Wood

3 Easy Ways Of Removing Deck Nails Without Damaging Wood

It is possible that sometimes you may need to pull out some or all of your composite decking boards, due to the reason that you are looking to update an old deck using new materials or replace a few decaying or broken boards. Whether you want to update an old deck or replace decaying boards, there are many ways of removing composite decking boards. However, the majority of the people will jump right into it, without caring for the damage. If you want to protect & maintain the adjoining materials, the nails, or the decking frame, then you need to be more careful while removing the boards, otherwise, the nails can get damaged. If you are looking to reuse the decking boards for other purposes or still use the prevailing deck frame, then you need to cause as little damage as possible. Some of the easy ways when it comes to removing the deck nails without damaging the wood are mentioned below:

Way 1: Using A Hammer

Using a hammer is one of the best ways to push nails deep into the boards. However, it is also regarded as the best tool when it comes to removing them slowly and carefully with the help of the claw end of the hammer. The majority of the people will carelessly pull the nails out with a jerk, which in turn can break the nails and damage the wood. Instead, smoothly rock the claw side hammer as long as the nails pop out. It is also best to use a piece of wood and put it down underneath the hammer as you pull out the deck nails. The wood will act as an obstacle stopping dents from the pressure, useful if you are planning to reuse the wood. The piece of wood can also come up with strength for better nail extraction. Using the same method, smoothly pull out all other nails used on the decking boards. As soon as you are done, lift the decking boards and pull them out.

Way 2: Using A Crowbar

If you are not able to get rid of the nails using a hammer, then you can try removing the board using a crowbar. However, due to the reason that you want to prevent any damage to the decking nails, you need to be extra careful while using a crowbar. In order to stop any damage happening to the decking nails, try using two crowbars. First, pry one end of the decking boards with utmost care. With the help of a hammer, remove the nails first, if possible. After that, start prying the decking boards with the help of one of the crowbars. Apply weight on one of the crowbars while taking hold of it in place. Next, take hold of the other crowbar and pry the decking board further, at the same time, when you are still applying pressure on the first one. Then, as you are taking hold of the second crowbar in place, take the first one before prying further into the decking boards’ length. Do this as long as you pull out or remove the whole decking board.

Way 3: Cutting The Decking Boards

In some cases, you may need to trim the decking boards so that it will be extremely easy to pull out the nails without having a detrimental effect on both the decking boards as well as the nails. For example, if the length of the decking board is too much, it will, in all likelihood, break if you pull them out. In this case, trimming them in half will minimize the risk of snapping them. For this, use a circular saw & trim through the decking boards while preventing the joists, particularly, if you still want to use the deck frame. Another situation when you will want to trim the boards is when the depth of the nails is too deep into the decking boards. In this case, use a plug cutter drill bit. With it, you can create an intermission on every side of the nails, exposing the nail heads. Doing so will make it easier to get to the decking nails and use tools to get rid of them. The drawback of doing this, however, is that it will make holes on your decking boards.