
- Inspect the Deck and Determine What Needs to be Repaired. If you feel you need to repair rotting deck joists, do what insect exterminators do. ...
- Remove Deck Boards to Expose Joists. You may wonder how to replace deck joists. ...
- Remove Rotted Wood. Use a chisel or a saw to remove the rotted wood. Cut away and remove all rotted wood.
- Beware Using Wood Filler. Understand that any filler you were thinking of using to replace the rotted wood offers no structural value to the deck joist.
- Reinforce the Joist with Sistered Material. The best way to repair deck joist rot is to sister new treated lumber onto a deck joist that has minimal wood ...
- Replace Deck Boards. If a sistered repair was sufficient, it’s time to replace & secure the deck boards to the new 2x sister material.
How to replace a rotted deck joist?
Things to keep in mind:
- The overlap of the new joist onto the old joist should be at least 3 feet--longer is better. ...
- If possible, your sister piece should rest on one or more supporting beams or a joist hanger.
- Use only pressure-treated wood, even if the old joists were not pressure-treated. ...
- Soak the cut ends of the old joist with wood preservative. ...
How to protect the top of deck joists?
What to Use for Deck Joist Tape?
- To Keep Your Deck Protective If you want to keep your outdoor living space protected from moisture, then deck tape is the best way to do it. ...
- To Prevent Rotting The adhesive or cement on the tape works as a sealant to protect your wood from moist rot. ...
- To Keep Your Deck Boards Safe
How should I repair this poor deck rim joist connection?
Deck Rim Joist Attachment Options
- Fastening. There are different ways to install and fasten the rim joist to the deck. ...
- Joist Hangers. Joist hangers are not commonly used to fasten the rim joist to the joist ends due to the added expense.
- Corner Joints. Deck corners can be finished in a variety of different ways. ...
- Splicing Rim Joists. ...
How to apply weatherproof on deck joists?
Product Overview
- Prohibits wood rot from water and moisture trapped between deck joists, deck posts, ledger boards or board cut ends
- 0.30 mil thick bitumen tape is tear resistant, long-lasting yet fits around and in corners easily
- Made from a malleable polyethylene water-resistant material to protect against wood rot

How do you replace rotting deck joists?
0:494:42HOW TO replace a rotted deck joist - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHard work hard work man I got to go through and unbuckle all of these things on both sides all rightMoreHard work hard work man I got to go through and unbuckle all of these things on both sides all right got this side. So and then I'm gonna start taking it chunks at a time.
Do deck joists need to be replaced?
Joists are hard to replace without tearing up a portion of your deck, so if they show damage, it's probably time to replace and rebuild. Also, damaged joists can be the result of more than just age.
How do you reinforce old deck joists?
Step 5: Reinforce the Joist with Sistered Material The best way to repair deck joist rot is to sister new treated lumber onto a deck joist that has minimal wood rot. If just the top 1 inch of the joist is rotted, you can repair the rotted deck joist by screwing on a treated 2x4 to the existing floor joist.
How do you repair a rotted deck beam?
0:474:08How To Replace Deck Supports - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd slowly raise the deck back up to its normal height. So that i can pull those rotting boards outMoreAnd slowly raise the deck back up to its normal height. So that i can pull those rotting boards out of there. And put in some nice new. Ones. I'm going to connect the two by fours with some screws.
How do you sister a rotted deck joist?
What is this? Remove as much of the rot as possible, the greater the rot, the greater the repair. Reinforce the existing joist the full length of the rot removal area and at least two feet beyond both ends of the rot. You'll need to remove and replace any blocking or bracing to add the new board.
How much does it cost to replace a deck joist?
Replacing decking joists costs $150 to $350 per joist. Joists are often made from wood, which may rot, warp, or wear, and they are essential for your deck's structure and solidity.
How do you fix rotted joists?
1:0110:15DIY: How To FIX A ROTTEN FLOOR - Repairing Damaged Floor JoistsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd attach them to the end plate. Then I'll put a new 2x4 sill in just to let it rest on that I'llMoreAnd attach them to the end plate. Then I'll put a new 2x4 sill in just to let it rest on that I'll notch those new joists out and all interlock and become part of the original.
Why are my deck joists rotting?
Protecting deck joists from moisture will preserve them better than any other activity. Moisture is the number one reason for joist rot and failure. Along with reducing moisture, removing the fungi's food, will stop the fungi. Unfortunately, wood is the very food fungi craves.
How do you fix rotted wood under a deck?
5 Steps to Repair Wood RotGather tools and materials.Remove rotten boards Use a 5-in-1 rasp, chisel, or claw hammer to remove the rotted areas of wood. ... Apply wood hardener, filler, or epoxy If minor damaged wood cannot be easily replaced, wood hardener, filler or epoxy may help strengthen the damaged area.More items...•
How do you fix rotten wood without replacing it?
0:033:30How to Fix Rotted Wood with Epoxy | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd uh the bottom of the mullion post was rotted so i cut out the rot i mixed up a two part epoxy.MoreAnd uh the bottom of the mullion post was rotted so i cut out the rot i mixed up a two part epoxy.
Can you sister deck joists?
Sistering joists is commonly used when adding onto an existing deck or repairing a deck. In these cases, the overlapped joists help tie the framing together by combining the rigid members over a beam. The longer the overlap distance, the stronger the connection.
How long do deck joists last?
Whether for framing only or the decking too, pressure treated lumber lasts a long time. Pressure treated lumber exposed to freeze-thaw and wet-dry cycles without care or maintenance will last about 9-years. With proper maintenance and treatment, the same deck will last 40 plus years.
Can I reuse old deck joists?
Unless the existing joists are very warped or decayed, we try to reuse the frame. Unlike new joists that have intact tight grain, however, old joists are punctured with hundreds of holes from the old decking and often have grain cracks opening up on the tops.
How long do deck joists last?
Whether for framing only or the decking too, pressure treated lumber lasts a long time. Pressure treated lumber exposed to freeze-thaw and wet-dry cycles without care or maintenance will last about 9-years. With proper maintenance and treatment, the same deck will last 40 plus years.
How do I know if my deck joists are rotten?
You can also tell if deck wood is rotten by checking for these dry rot signs:Probe around posts that contact the ground for soft spots as these areas are typically more exposed to moisture.Search for long sheets of greyish mold or darker looking wood as these are common dry rot indicators.More items...
How long does a deck substructure last?
Estimated to be 25 to 30 years. THE AVERAGE CAPPED POLYMER DECKING LIFESPAN: Estimated to be 50 years, or more.
Blocking
Blocking refers to the boards that are added between each joist every four to six feet to give the structure rigidity and minimize the movement of the joists.
Fixing Crowned Joists
There are a few ways to fix a crowning joist. You can move the joist or remove material from the joist.
Fixing a Sagging Joist
Likewise, there are a few ways to fix a sagging joist. You can turn it upside down, add a sister joist, pull up on it or just replace it.
Why do deck boards get wet?
Wooden decking is subject to deterioration from weather and pests, whatever the wood used in its construction and however it is finished. This is especially true for joists, because they stay wet longer after rainfall and water tends to collect between them and the decking boards. They also provide a shady home for wood-boring insects ...
How to remove a board that is screwed in?
Remove one board at a time. If the boards are screwed in, use a drill to remove the screws and lift off each board in turn. Pry up boards that are nailed down by first hooking the crow bar under the board and prying it up about 1.25 cm (1/2 inch), then hooking the bar around the nail head and pulling the nail out.
Why replace old deck joists?
It is sometimes necessary to replace old deck joists that have become time-worn or damaged due to exposure to the elements. Decks that endure wide-ranging seasonal temperature extremes, as well as large amounts of precipitation, will eventually become susceptible to weathering and decay that even pressure-treated lumber cannot prevent.
How to replace joists?
Obtain the Replacement Joists. Select new joists that are equal in nominal dimensions (width and thickness) to the existing adjacent joists. Use the straightest boards available with little or no bow or twist. Cut the new joist to length with a circular saw; use a measuring square to make a square cut.
How to secure a joist?
If necessary, use a hammer to knock it into a vertical upright position. Secure the joist by replacing all fasteners and hangers.
Can rotting joists affect a deck?
The joists are a major component of the framework and rotting joists can affect the structural integrity of the deck. If replacing one or more joists, you will want to do so without rebuilding the entire deck. This article will explain how to go about replacing deck joists in 6 easy steps. Continue reading below Our Video of the Day.
Can you leave joist hangers in place?
Remove the fasteners from the joist hangers and any that might be attached to a crossbeam. You can leave the joist hangers in place if they are undamaged. Remove the damaged joist.
What type of glue is used for deck joints?
External wood glue is also used between the joints. The screws are then driven into the ledger or end joist, depending on what type of deck you are constructing. The screws should be rustproof and here we are using screws that are 4 inches long. Check the levels of the joists as you go along, using a large spirit level.
What is a deck frame?
Decks are mainly all built of the same structure, which is a frame that is constructed from 150mm * 50mm treated timbers. Whether your deck is at ground level or elevated or attached to a property they are all built in the same way.
Do you need to put a noggins on a deck?
If you are installing noggins (on a small basic deck you will not need them)then you do not need to put them all in a straight line you can offset them so that you can drill straight through the joists and into the ends of the noggins. This is the deck with some of the joists installed.
