Deck Removal: Tools, Costs, and Disposal

Do you want to upgrade your outdoor area or replace an old deck? A new deck will need you to factor in a few things. Most of our clients have questions about the tools they need, the cost, and the disposal. This guide will help you determine and help you with a step by step for deck removal. It can be a difficult task that requires you to have the right materials, tools, and expertise.

Thankfully, we’ll walk you through every step of the deck removal process in this comprehensive guide. We will go over the deck removal costs, the deck material options, the disposal options , the right tools needed for the job. You’ll be prepared to handle your deck removal project effectively and safely with the help of our professional advice and insights.

Common Reasons For A Deck Removal

The family has gathered on your deck for barbecues, lazy afternoons, and starry nights. But over time, even the strongest decks can begin to show signs of deterioration. These warning signs should be taken seriously because they may be a sign that it’s time to take your deck down. In this section, we’ll look at some warning signs to look out for that might indicate that the deck needs to be removed.

Structural Damage: is one of the most important signs that your deck might need to be removed. Usually, this is loose or rotted deck boards, sagging or uneven decking, and weakened support posts. It’s critical to act right away if you notice any of these problems. Damage to the wood deck’s structure for outdoor decks can prove to be hazard. So it is important to make sure your deck stays in good condition.

Rotted Wood: Wood that has rotted or is deteriorating can happen over time due to exposure to the elements. If you see a lot of rotting or decaying wood on your deck, the integrity of the structure has most likely been compromised. Not only is rotten wood unsightly, but it also makes your deck less stable overall. it is important to take care of your deck area to insure that deck boards and support posts are in good shape.

Pest Infestation: Decks, particularly those constructed close to the ground, can be vulnerable to pest infestations. The structural elements of your deck can suffer significant harm from termites, carpenter ants, and other wood-boring insects. It’s critical to act if you spot pest activity indicators like sawdust, tiny holes in the wood, or the presence of insects. The severity of the infestation may call for the removal of the entire deck in some circumstances.

Deck Demolition Tools for Your Next Project

Having the proper tools and safety gear is very important before you remove your wood deck. Deck demolition can be difficult, but with the right tools, you can make the process safe and easy. We’ll go over some of the essential tools and safety gear for deck demolition. This will allow giving you the knowledge you need to approach the project with assurance.

Reciprocating Saw with Demolition Blade : A reciprocating saw with a demolition blade is a practical tool for slicing through deck boards, nails, and other fasteners. It makes it possible to quickly and effectively remove decking materials.

Pry Bar: For removing nails or screws from deck boards and prying up deck boards, you’ll need a pry bar and a claw hammer. Leverage is created by a pry bar’s long handle, making it simpler to lift and remove boards.

Power Drill: For removing screws or releasing stubborn fasteners, a power drill fitted with a screwdriver bit or a drill/driver combo is helpful. Using this tool expedites and streamlines the demolition process.

Sledgehammer: This tool is great to break up deck boards as well as concrete footings. It allows you to break the deck up to manageable pieces.

Skid Steer: This item works well to pull out support post and can make the project much easier. However, it is not necessary but just speeds up the process.

Safety Equipment for Deck Removal

Ear Protection: This helps the loud noises from the power tools as well as the hammer.

Eye Protection: Safety glasses in case deck debris flies around and to protect your eyes.

Knee Pads: Knee pads help preserve you knees when you are working on putting in support beams and the deck construction.

How to Tear Down a Wood Deck Yourself

Find out from your local government whether permits are needed for deck removal. Following the rules ensures a simple procedure and prevents legal issues.

Gather Safety Equipment: Make sure you have the necessary safety gear, such as respiratory protection (such as dust masks or respirators), fall protection gear (if working at heights), and personal protective equipment (such as goggles, gloves, hard hats, and sturdy footwear).

This Safety Equipment will help protect you from nails and screws as well as other hazardous materials.

Make sure the outdoor space is cleared for your to remove deck boards, bottom rails, and other deck debris. This will insure you can make the larger sections away and not have to worry about breaking the deck into small pieces. If you do break the deck to smaller pieces make sure to watch out for nails and screws as these can injure you!

Make sure you left with your legs and not your back to insure you’re not injuring yourself. Use a pry bar to break decking joists and the ledger board. This will make sure you do not hurt your back or hands as nails and screws can be sticking out from the boards, bottom rails, or the frame.

There are a few options for disposing of your deck. In most cases the easiest its best to throw the deck boards in a roll off dumpster. This method usually will save you money. This is convenient for your project because you don’t need to worry about what to do with your old deck, rather, just focus on disposing of the deck and then plan for your new deck!

How Much Does Deck Removal Cost?

The national average price of deck removal is around $850, including debris disposal. Generally speaking, you can expect to pay $2-$6 per square foot to remove your deck, or around $600-$1,000 for the whole project.

There are a few factors to consider for price of a deck removal. The first and main consideration is size of deck. The second factor to consider is what type of materials you will be throwing out. Finally, the location of where you live, sometimes different rules of the disposal will vary.

It is not advised to build or modify a deck using a chainsaw. Chainsaws are typically used for tasks like cutting trees, logs, or pruning branches. They are used made for cutting through wood. They are not designed for tasks requiring fine cutting or shaping, like those needed to build a deck. Or removing a deck.

Chainsaws will make fast work however for outdoor deck removal. Because it will be more efficient, the deck removal costs will be less. You will be able to cut the boards in half and top railings should be easy to remove with the frame.

However, using a chainsaw is usually seen as a bad idea. This is pointed out in the article Deck Demolition 101 . Despite it possibly helping you save money, it is not advisable. This is because nails and screws might be in the board and cause a kick back from the chainsaw which will cause serious injury.

Common FAQ questions about Deck Removal

Usually, you do not need a permit. However, this can depend on where you live and the local building codes. There can be different requirements for obtaining a permit to tear down a deck. It is always advisable to check with local authorities for permit requirements for your deck.

It’s important to remember that removing a deck without the proper permits could result in penalties, fines, or legal problems. A permit for the demolition process will probably be required in order to obtain a permit for the new construction if you intend to build a new deck in the future.

Usually, if you are demolition an old deck, your plan usually is to build a new outdoor deck. You may even want to put a hot tub or other landscaping. However, for most building, you need to get building permits. This is usually for the homeowners association or for the city.

We often get asked as homeowners will call in asking what to do with old boards and that they usually have nails and screws in the frame. Here are a few things that you could do with materials from your deck removal project.

Repurpose them: You can use used deck boards for a variety of do-it-yourself projects. They could be used to build outdoor furniture, raised garden beds, or even reclaimed wood for interior projects like accent walls or shelves. Use your imagination to your advantage and be creative.

Recycle: Recycling is a fantastic environmentally friendly option if the deck boards are made of wood and are in good condition. To find out about their wood recycling programs, get in touch with nearby recycling facilities or waste management facilities. The boards might be accepted and turned into mulch or other useful materials. Just make sure to remove the nails and screws.

Dispose of the Deck: This is probably our favorite option being a dumpster company! After you’ve used tools like the pry bar and got the boards into small pieces, a great option for disposal is a dumpster. Usually a 20 yard dumpster will suffice but if you need more information read about them here

Homeowner’s should expect to pay around $5-10 dollars per square foot of decking. This can depend on the size of deck demolition as well as what type of materials that the deck is made of.

Sometimes when you remove a deck you might find the foundation below might be a old concrete pad. If that is the case you may want to remove the concrete.  A good solution for removal is a concrete dumpster. If you have more questions read our concrete recycling page