Name:	Crimson4Lif -	Reply
Subject:	Pier decking flipping
Date:	2/4/2014 1:07:31 PM

I know the typical and logical response is to "just replace them"....so dont bother with replying with that.  However the decking is in pretty good shape.  About 6 years old.  We pressure washed it a year or so again and it chewed up the boards and now splinters are an issue.  I am just wondering if flipping the boards has been tried by anyone and was it successful?  Any issues that need to be considered?  The boards are screwed down and many of the screws are rusted so I am not sure they will unscrew.  Prepared to pry up with bar if need be.  Any advice out there.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Pier decking flipping
Date:	2/4/2014 1:23:49 PM

I can't comment on flipping. However, whatever you do use stainless steel screws.You may want to check a product at Home Depot called Deck Restore. It is a heavy coating designed for decks in the condition you describe. You can Google it. Also,  restoring a deck was discussed in the past and you may locate the threads with a seacrch.

Name:	jcope -	Reply
Subject:	Pier decking flipping
Date:	2/4/2014 1:29:30 PM

Last year I went through the same thought process when I started replacing my decking.

First, what looked like pretty good boards from underneath the dock did not look near as good when they were removed.  Especially on ends of the boards where I would need to re-attach them.

I decided on new boards.  Boy am I glad I made that decision.  To have put that much effort in removing and replacing the decking and still have an old dock would feel completely different from how I feel about my brand new dock.  I was so proud of it, it was easy to wait 4 months to clean, stain and seal it properly.  It was like I had a new dock all over again. 

The money I would have saved would have easily been discounted by the fact that I would have to do it all over again in a couple of years.

Personally, if I could not afford to use new boards, I would wait a year before I did anything and save up for the expense of new boards.

Name:	muddauber -	Reply
Subject:	Pier decking flipping
Date:	2/4/2014 2:04:53 PM

I've not know any one who had done this, so no firsthand knowledge.  I do know boards are laid with the grain a cetain way to help prevent "cupping" of the boards.  Reversing them seems to me would llikely result in many boards becoming cupped, making walking on them rather risky. Just guessing here.

Name:	TBrown05 -	Reply
Subject:	Pier decking flipping
Date:	2/4/2014 6:55:30 PM

I've re-used decking that way before but in a different, smaller area than where they were originally. Good thing since several of the boards split even though we were trying to be careful. Other consideration: when you flip the boards, the color is different where they contacted the floor joists. We tried to remove but couldn't without substantial sanding or planing.

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Pier decking flipping
Date:	2/4/2014 8:37:29 PM

You asked for experience with the process so here goes.  This past fall I pulled up all my 2 X 6 decking, salvaged and flipped about 70% of it and replaced the rest with new lumber.  Cut the damaged ends off boards. rearranged the board length pattern, and screwed back down.  I filled the old screw holes with Elmer's wood filler, cleaned with wood prep cleaner, and finished with Behr's (Home Depot) new wood refinisher.  The surface of the old boards had cracked, split, and splintered, but the flipped side was as clean as new boards.  I can't speak for 5/4" boards, but the 2 X came out fine.  One word of advice, the Behr Refinisher goes a lot further than 50 sq. ft./ gal. I put down two very heavy coats and used about 70% of what I bought based on the coverage info.  I've had two friends that have done the same procedure with similar results.  Time will tell, but I'm very happy with the results on my swim platform.  Be advised the APCo Shoreline folks will want their $250.00 if you replace decking, don't know about flipping the boards.  They caught my neighbor replacing decking and wanted the $250.

Name:	Osms -	Reply
Subject:	Pier decking flipping
Date:	2/4/2014 8:39:58 PM

PS:   I was unsuccessful in unscrewing most of the screws, they just break off.  Use a flat pry bar and 3# hammer.