Tearing down a deck is a big job, but one homeowner says it is a lot easier when you are not struggling alone. Her husband took apart the entire deck by hand in two days, and a neighbor with a Bobcat showed up to handle the heavy lifting.
She shared the teamwork in a lively play by play on @katrinab_lifeandtravel, in preparation for a much bigger deck.
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Why the old deck had to go
The house was built in 1994, and she says she has no idea when the dated red wooden deck was added. It was not in terrible shape, but she found it too small for her liking, and some of the wood was coming up. It was time to upgrade the backyard.
Clearing it out and getting to work
The couple started by carrying all the patio furniture and grills off the deck and into the yard. Then they began prying off the red perimeter railings with crowbars and hammers, and her husband kicked away the lower lattice skirt. She says she had done many projects before but had never torn down a deck, so she followed her husband’s lead.
When it came time to deal with the space beneath the deck, she stepped back. Two months earlier she had come across a large black snake there, and she wanted to be sure nothing could come out. The new deck, she says, will be enclosed completely.
Boards come up one by one
Her husband went to work with a yellow pry bar and a mallet, ripping up the deck boards one by one and tossing them aside. She says it was his first time tearing down a deck too, but you could not tell. While he worked, she went inside to make dinner, and when she came back to tell him it was ready, the deck was completely down and only the foundation was left.
The neighbor with the Bobcat
Then a neighbor named Jody arrived with a Bobcat tracked skid steer. It fit through the side gate, and he used a grapple attachment to pull out overgrown bushes beside the foundation, since the new deck will be much bigger than the old one. While he was there, he offered to knock down a dead tree in the yard, and moments later the tree was down.
One more favor topped it off. Her husband wanted to save the deck frame so he could use it as the base of a new shed. The neighbor lifted the whole frame with the Bobcat, dragged it across the yard intact and stored it for them. The couple shook hands with him at the end, and she thanked both her husband and the neighbor, saying teamwork makes the dream work. A part two will show the build of a brand new deck.
Tips for tearing down a deck
- Clear everything off first, including furniture and grills, so the work area is safe and open.
- Work from the top down. Take off railings, then boards, and leave the frame for last.
- Check under the deck before pulling out lattice. Wildlife such as snakes can shelter there, so stay cautious and wear gloves and boots.
- Think about salvage. A sound frame, as the couple found, can become the foundation for a shed or another project.
- Ask neighbors or friends with equipment for help, and make sure the gate and path are wide enough for machinery.
- Check local permit rules before building the replacement deck, especially if it will be larger.
What to know before demolition day
- Watch for nails and screws. Boards that come up often have fasteners sticking out, so wear sturdy boots and gloves and stack or bag debris promptly.
- Know where the deck attaches to the house. A deck is usually bolted or screwed to a ledger board on the house wall, and removing it can expose siding or flashing that needs repair.
- Locate utilities. Air conditioning lines, gas lines, hose bibs and electrical outlets sometimes sit close to a deck.
- Plan for the debris. Deck lumber adds up quickly, and some communities have special disposal rules for treated wood.
- Never burn treated lumber. Preservatives in pressure treated wood can make the smoke harmful.
Common questions
Do I need a permit to take down a deck? Rules vary by location. Many places require a permit to build a deck, and some also ask for one to remove it. A quick call to the local building department settles the question.
Can I reuse the old lumber? Sometimes. Sound boards and framing can find a second life in a shed, a garden bed or a workbench, but rotted or split pieces should go. Check for soft spots by pressing a screwdriver into the wood.
What changes when a deck gets bigger? Larger decks carry more weight and need properly sized footings, framing and railings. Codes spell out footing depth, railing height and the spacing of balusters, so check them before you buy materials.
Try this at home: a checklist before demolition
- Call your utility locating service if any digging or footing removal is planned.
- Photograph the deck and the wall where it attaches.
- Gather safety gear: gloves, glasses, boots, a hard hat if overhead work is involved, and hearing protection for power tools.
- Set aside an area for stacking reusable lumber and a separate spot for debris.
- Decide who will help, what equipment is needed and how it will reach the yard.
Credit for the original post goes to @katrinab_lifeandtravel on Instagram.
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