Replacing nails on our deck

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bramwell

161 posts

Master Geek

#317447 16-Oct-2024 08:17

Hi, we have a large area of kwila decking on which many nails are popping up. We’ve removed a few but wondering if this is sensible? Will water be a rot problem going into those holes? Should we instead punch the remaining nails further in. We’re going to use screws instead.
Thanks!

johno1234

2807 posts

Uber Geek

#3297954 16-Oct-2024 08:49

Same. We inherited nailed kwila decks on our house and the nails will always work their way up as the timber expands and contracts. I tap them down but this is a Sisyphean task. You could buy a bag of decking screws and an impact driver and spend the next few years pulling nails as they pop up and replace them with a screw. But then the deck will look a bit odd with a mix of nails and screws.

Whoever built the deck with kiwla and nails deserves a swift, hard kick up the bum.

Don't pull the nail and leave a hole there.

mdf

3516 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#3297958 16-Oct-2024 09:05

Hammering down the existing nails will only ever be temporary. If they've worked their way free of the timber before they will do it again. Replacing the nails with screws is the best option. Replacing them all will likely involve pulling up boards and does run the risk of splitting and bruising boards. Depending on your aesthetic thresholds, if you are only replacing the ones that have already lifted, a trim head decking screw will be a better match with the existing nails (at least on a cursory inspection). Trim head screws are pretty common now - once upon a time I was buying these from Amazon but you can get them all over the place now.

bramwell

161 posts

Master Geek

#3297959 16-Oct-2024 09:08

Thanks mdf. Should we just leave holes where we take out the existing nails?

MikeFly

153 posts

Master Geek

#3297963 16-Oct-2024 09:13

Pull out the popped nails and replace with Jolt Screws

mdf

3516 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#3297967 16-Oct-2024 09:33

bramwell: Thanks mdf. Should we just leave holes where we take out the existing nails?

I wouldn't. The boards can cup if they're not held down on both sides. And the hole will fill with dirt and crud that will hold the moisture; it's not going to rot out immediately but is unlikely to be good for the long term health of the board.

bramwell

161 posts

Master Geek

#3297970 16-Oct-2024 09:42

mdf:

bramwell: Thanks mdf. Should we just leave holes where we take out the existing nails?

I wouldn't. The boards can cup if they're not held down on both sides. And the hole will fill with dirt and crud that will hold the moisture; it's not going to rot out immediately but is unlikely to be good for the long term health of the board.

Should we put the screws into the existing nail holes? Thanks

johno1234

2807 posts

Uber Geek

#3297972 16-Oct-2024 09:51

bramwell:

Should we put the screws into the existing nail holes? Thanks

No option but to do so. Otherwise the screws would be in the wrong place and the unsightly and rot-encouraging holes would remain. The existing hole is a convenient pilot.

Just drive in a self drilling deck screw into the nail hole.

It may be necessary to pre-drill the decking boards if you find they are splitting.

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bramwell

161 posts

Master Geek

#3297973 16-Oct-2024 09:53

johno1234:

bramwell:

Should we put the screws into the existing nail holes? Thanks

No option but to do so. Otherwise the screws would be in the wrong place and the unsightly and rot-encouraging holes would remain. The existing hole is a convenient pilot.

Just drive in a self drilling deck screw into the nail hole.

It may be necessary to pre-drill the decking boards if you find they are splitting.

Great, thanks! 😊

mdf

3516 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#3297974 16-Oct-2024 09:57

bramwell:

Should we put the screws into the existing nail holes? Thanks

That's what I'd do. The shank and head of a a trim head decking screw should be approximately the same dimensions as the existing nails, but with the thread being a bit wider to grip the board and the joist underneath. You probably wouldn't need to pre-drill, but kwila can be splintery so it might be prudent to do a couple of tests somewhere hidden. My instinct is that the body of the screw will be fine, but you might need to counterbore or countersink the top of the board if driving in the screw throws up splinters.

bramwell

161 posts

Master Geek

#3297977 16-Oct-2024 10:01

mdf:

bramwell:

Should we put the screws into the existing nail holes? Thanks

That's what I'd do. The shank and head of a a trim head decking screw should be approximately the same dimensions as the existing nails, but with the thread being a bit wider to grip the board and the joist underneath. You probably wouldn't need to pre-drill, but kwila can be splintery so it might be prudent to do a couple of tests somewhere hidden. My instinct is that the body of the screw will be fine, but you might need to counterbore or countersink the top of the board if driving in the screw throws up splinters.

Excellent, thanks. We have screws about 5mm longer than, and the same diameter as the existing nails. The screws are counter-sunk type. We'll try a couple out first as you suggest.

bramwell

161 posts

Master Geek

#3297978 16-Oct-2024 10:03

johno1234:

Same. We inherited nailed kwila decks on our house and the nails will always work their way up as the timber expands and contracts. I tap them down but this is a Sisyphean task. You could buy a bag of decking screws and an impact driver and spend the next few years pulling nails as they pop up and replace them with a screw. But then the deck will look a bit odd with a mix of nails and screws.

Whoever built the deck with kiwla and nails deserves a swift, hard kick up the bum.

Don't pull the nail and leave a hole there.

I agree about the kick up the bum. The previous owner appears to have cut some corners.

Bung

6488 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#3298014 16-Oct-2024 11:44

MikeFly:

Pull out the popped nails and replace with Jolt Screws

Jolt screws would probably be ok and not need countersinking but AFAIK you can get trim head decking screws at better prices than jolt screws.

I have an old kwila deck with nails popping. It didn't do too bad as the nails weren't ring shanked and they've lasted 30+ years. I started using longer ring shank nails but now put a screw in whenever a nail pops. The old kwila needs countersinking for the screw head.