How should I go about repairing a rotting deck joist?

Answer by  martshtml (300)

You want to try and cut off the rotting parts the best you can, then add a sealant to it that will protect it.

Answer by  thelostone (1457)

Put a second joist right besides the first one. Once you have that installed you will want to remove the old one to prevent the new joist from rotting.

Answer by  dsmith42 (371)

You will need to brace the deck around the rotting joist with a temporary joist supported by a jack. Raise the new joist, remove the rotted joist, then add a new joist to replace the rotted one. Use plenty of nails or screws to secure. Then remove the temporary joist.

Answer by  Brandydog (631)

The most important thing is that the whole deck does not collapse while you are doing this. First build a temporary support. The purpose of this is just to hold the deck together and not to make it look good as you will disassemble it later. With this in place you can remove the old joist.

Answer by  xtremetree (306)

The best way is to place jacks under the deck to hold it in place while you remove the rotted joist. At this point with the rotted joist removed,you can replace it with a new one. While doing so add a sealer to prevent any further rot of other joist under your deck.

Answer by  woody (65)

Take a sawzall with a demolition blade and cut the nails that pass through the decking and cut the toenails that fasten the joist to the front and rear girder, cut the joist in half and pull it down. cut new joist the same length, place it where the old joist was and renail through the decking and girders.

Answer by  ladybud (1069)

If it has caused sag jack it up. Saw both end's off unscrew or pry loose if it's nailed to boards on the beam you wish to fix, Buy a H-bracket they look like a H nail it to old cut joist and slide new one in replace nails-screws.

Answer by  Rogbog (203)

Expose the rotten dock joist completely and remove the rotten portion from from joist. Scrap and cut out the rottening portion and scab a brand new piece of deck joist.

Answer by  beck (1099)

Although there are compounds that can be used to repair rotting wood, your best bet would be to replace the deck joist with new pressure treated lumber.

Answer by  aracnophobic (116)

You can not repair a rotting deck joist. However, you can slow its rotting by buying specific products from a store.