I recently noticed that the previous homeowner used regular screws for my deck, and now there are rust marks around them. As I'm preparing to clean and stain the deck, I'm wondering if it's worth my time to remove those old rusty screws and replace them with proper coated screws. Would it just be a waste of effort, or is it a necessary step?
3 Answers
You might consider a middle ground. If the screws are holding but not in great shape, why not add new stainless or coated screws while keeping the old ones? Just be sure there's enough space in the boards for that. It sounds like those screws are on borrowed time anyway!
Replacing those screws now will save you a lot of time later, trust me. If they’re still relatively easy to remove, I’d go for it. It'll pay off down the line once they start breaking.
It might be a good idea to try removing a few screws from different spots on your deck. If they come out without too much hassle, it could be worth replacing them now. But, if they feel brittle or start breaking, it might be best to leave them alone to avoid a headache later.
I tried that, and some were so rusted I ended up breaking a couple just trying to get them to sink back in. It's frustrating to think about those rust marks after I clean and stain!
Yeah, I’m worried they’re only going to get worse. I really hate the thought of rusty screws showing up after I've done all that work.