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Major Deck Reno – Help Required

LB | Posted in Construction Techniques on June 19, 2010 12:19pm

One of my projects for this year was to remove old CCA decking and redo with Cedar. Upon taking the decking off, I found a bunch of major structural problems and as a result have decided to rebuild properly from scratch. I have taken all the joists off and am faced with a dilemma.

The ledger attached to the house has a bunch of joist hangers still attached. I was able to lever the joist out and as a result the hangers still have the nails. The hangers are Simpson LUS28. Is there anyway I can get those nails out so I can reuse the joist hangers? I have tried and few came out easy however, that is not always proving to be the case.

OR am I better off removing the existing ledger and putting a new ledger? Any words of wisdom or experience working on a similar situation would be greatly appreciated.

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  1. maguyver | Jun 19, 2010 12:34am | #1

    Try a recip saw or nail puller, the time spent saving them might outweigh their replacement cost?  If the ledger is in good condition and solid to the house try shifting the new joist layout to avoid the old hangers. Happy decking!!!

  2. calvin | Jun 19, 2010 05:32am | #2

    That ledger might not be fastened properly

    nor flashed properly, considering the condition (you do not mention how it was built) of the rest of the frame.  Is what's behind the ledger in good condition?

    Will you be using ACQ treated framing?  If so, and the hangers are the simple galvanized-you should replace with simpsons dbl galv. hangers using approve ACQ fasteners.  Same goes for fastening your decking.

    If all is well, you need to get a bit of room between the hanger and ledger to cut those nails w/sawzall.  A wonderbar might work for that.  Personally I would replace.  If you bend em up while removing you'll probably boogerup the galv. coating bashing them back flat.  Your time tho free is still worth something.

  3. User avater
    Matt | Jun 19, 2010 07:12am | #3

    I'd replace the ledger.

    That way you can ensure that it is flashed properly.  "Back in the day" many folks used aluminum flashing which is no longer considered adequate.  Further, if you remove the hangers there will likely be unfilled nail holes through the flashing. 

    Also, as Calvin said, the old hangers are not considered compatible with today's treated lumber.  The ones you have must not be too old: LUS28, however the ones used now aday on decks have a 'Z' in the PN - I think it  would be LUS28Z.  The ones used commonly prior to the LUS were just LU like LU28. 

    You are 98% of the way there - go ahead with 100.  Besides... It's your money - I don't mind spending it. :-)

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