The Deck Redo

It's been almost a year since we had the first contractor come out.  This one was like the last one we had out, seemingly excited about the projects we wanted completed. And just like the last one, he never came back.  He never called back, and he didn't return our calls or texts.  Afraid that another summer would pass us by without being able to enjoy or entertain on our deck or porch; we decided to tackle the projects ourselves.  Today I bring you....the "deck redo."  We were just going to do the minimum on this deck to get it up to par.  After all, it is a pretty decent sized deck...20' x 37'.  At one time, we actually talked about putting down composite decking...more like I did.  Silly me.  This is my hubby's philosophy...."It'll last us the rest of our lives.  We'll be dead by the time it needs to be replaced.  Let someone else worry about it."  I know.  I know.

So, we started pulling up boards we knew we needed to replace.
(Can you see my gorgeous teal and orange wrought iron patio set in the background?  That's another project and will be another post, soon, as I just bought another set that needs redoing.)

We discovered quite a few bad boards needed to be replaced.  So, we pulled up some more.
(Do you see my patio set in the background?  Is it not cute!?)

Aww...snap!  Sorry...couldn't help myself.  We looked at each other and the hubby said, begrudgingly, "let's just redo the whole thing.  We can do it....can't we?  Do you think we can?  Are you up for it?"  "Sure!", I said, trying to be the all encouraging wife like I'm supposed to be. "We can do it!" By gosh, I was getting a new deck if it killed me.  I had plans for this deck. Tendinitis or no...we were going to do it! 

It's been a while ago, but we did at one time purchase a deck book from Lowe's.  We found the book, dusted it off and started familiarizing ourselves with every page.  We were going to do this...and we were going to save a TON of money in the process!  My husband does know a thing or two, for which I'm grateful.  He measured, he scribbled in his notebook, he measured some more, he scribbled some more and finally came up with the amount of decking boards we would need.  He got online with Lowe's on a Saturday and ordered their premium decking boards. We wanted them delivered and to my husband's amazement...or rather shock, Lowe's said they would be delivering the next day.  On a Sunday?! Ummm....hubby wasn't quite ready for that.  I know he was hoping for a delay of a month, at least!  No such luck.  He was going to have to get busy sooner than he expected.  Poor guy.  

We have all the boards removed, now.  We even took the nails out.  (Honestly, I think Hubby tried too hard to make most of his nails fall out onto the ground.  I provided a bucket for the old, bent, rusty nails.  But, letting them fall onto the ground below was easier.  He'll never admit to it, though.) We're going to repurpose the old boards.  That's another project and another post.

After a tough day of removing the rest of the decking boards, Hubby sat back in his recliner of our matching set of his and hers recliners, with laptop on lap and started his Internet research for our deck redo.  One thing he read about was a wrap or tape to cover the old screw and/or nail holes on the joists.  It helped to keep moisture out. He also read where it helped as a sound barrier...none of that clunk, clunk, clunk sound when walking across the deck.  The next day we visited our local Lowe's once again. We located Byron. Byron works in the windows and doors department, but Byron is our go-to man at Lowe's.  I'm not stretching the truth one bit when I say Byron knows everything.  "Window Wrap is what you need," said our go-to man, Byron.  Did you see a light?  I thought I saw a light appear above his head.  You didn't?  Hmmm...

It didn't take us long to wrap each joist.  It was sticky, but not as intimidating to work with as I thought it would be.  Hubby started on one end, and I started on the other.  I might add, my tape job was just a little neater than Hubby's.  I thought I'd throw that in there.  Sorry, Dear.  Not really.  Mine was neater.

Here's a pic with the tape on all the joists.

I might be getting my cart before my horse, here.  Because, we started another project before the "Deck Redo."  That project is the "Porch Redo."  I won't get into that a whole lot right now, except to say the hubby had told me there was no way either one of us could get the tongue and groove porch boards pushed together tightly and screwed at the same time.  He was discouraged, to say the least. We were back at square one....trying to find someone to come do work for us...for money.  I know, right?  We put that project on hold for the moment and started concentrating on the deck. As my husband was leaving for work on Monday, he picked up the deck book, handed it to me and said, "Read this while I'm gone."  While I was having my morning coffee, I started reading the deck book.  Really...I did!  I came across a nifty tool called the BoWrench.  Oh, my goodness!  This is exactly what we needed for the porch....and it would work for the deck, too!  I took a pic of this tool with the iPhone and sent it to the hubby right away.  He was as excited as I was.  I said to him, "You told me to read the book..."  The man did not wait until he got home, but ordered the BoWrench from Amazon right away.  He's really an expert when it comes to ordering from Amazon.  Well, so am I.  I don't want to give him ALL the credit.

We started putting down the decking boards, using the BoWrench.  I can't say enough about this handy tool that is not expensive at all.  In fact, it definitely pays for itself in no time.  All those boards we couldn't have used because of being warped, we did use.  We didn't have to borrow our neighbor's trailer, load them back up, and travel 8 miles one way to Lowe's to return them....saving time AND money.

This is the hubby using the BoWrench!

We work on the deck when we can.  A day for us may be just a couple of hours, or it may actually be ALL day.  We work around our family and church life, the hubby's work schedule and the weather.  Although, we have worked in the rain.  I can honestly say I did not like that too much.  And, I might add that, as of yet, I have not worked on the deck without Hubby.  But, I do find plenty to do in the meantime.

As you can see, we have put down quite a few boards our first day.
(That's Max.  He just had to get in the pic.)

Another nifty tool, that we just fell in love with, is called the Camo. This tool is around fifty bucks.  It uses screws specifically made for the Camo.  They're also about fifty bucks for a box of 700.  We are on our third and last box.  Remember, we do have about a 750 sq. ft. deck, though. This system allows you to have a fastener free deck.  No screws are showing!  The deck is so smooth; it's unbelievable.  There is no predrilling and no wood splitting from the screws. Plus, it gives you a 1/16" space every time.  Of course, that is, if you use your BoWrench.  

You pull the trigger (shown in the pic), which opens up the Camo to wrap around your board.  Release it, and it is pretty snug.  A screw goes in each end...you can see one of the holes on the right of the Camo in the picture.  For the most part, we still held onto the Camo while screwing because sometimes it does pop off the board.  If you're screwing when that happens, your screw can end up on top of your board, instead of hidden on the sides.  Also, it's advisable to screw the screw that is next to the other board you just fastened down, as sometimes it can move during that process, which leads to a larger gap.  Then you will have to back out the screw and start over, not to mention, having a screw hole on top of your board.

Isn't this gorgeous?!  No unsightly screws all over the tops of your deck boards!  Perfect spacing! Just beautiful...

Max was a bad boy. 
I had been successful at keeping him from going under the deck, where it was extremely muddy, until this time.  There he was...down in the abyss.  It was pretty bad, and he was definitely beyond a spit bath.  I just gave up and let him have at it.

Unaligned Posts

At the bottom of the pic our area to cover is much wider than at the top of the pic, where it's become much narrower.

We only had a foot or so left of boards to install.  I thought it would take us less than half the day; Hubby went as far as saying half a day.  Unfortunately, we didn't take into consideration we were working with a frame that wasn't square.  It took us all day...and I mean, ALL day.

The laying of the decking is finished.

We have to cut the deck boards flush with the rim joist.  We made a chalk line and did this job in just a few minutes.

After a bit of research, the hubby and I decided we wanted our deck railing compiled of non-traditional livestock panels.  We opted for livestock panels due to the ease of installation, lower cost and flair.  Our home sits on 5 acres with plenty of trees and a large pond.  Of course, we would choose livestock panels!

Unfortunately, the hubby and I have agreed on only one thing when it comes to the deck railing and that's the livestock panel.  We purchased 6 of the panels from Tractor Supply Company, but think we'll just use 4 or 5.  At TSC they're labeled as goat panels and cost $58 each.  

Goat Panels purchased at TSC

They're 48" tall and 16' long.  For some reason our posts are only about 31" tall.  We don't know why the deck was originally built with such short posts.  That means we will be cutting each panel a little longer than half and trying to find a use for the not quite as tall bottom half.