I'm taking apart an older composite deck and I've run into a major issue: a lot of the deck screw heads are stripped. I bought some new T10 Torx bits for the job, but it looks like those screw heads were already damaged, and even the new bits are just spinning without getting a good grip. Does anyone have tips on how to effectively remove these screws?
2 Answers
You might want to try cutting them off with a sawzall that has a demolition blade. It’ll save you a lot of hassle than fiddling with the screws anymore.
Be cautious with T10 screws; they're known to give a lot of trouble. I recommend using high-quality bits from brands like Wiha or Bosch because they tend to hold up better. If you have access to an angle grinder, you can quickly cut the screws flush with the joist. However, if you can't reach the joists because the deck is low, consider a 'deck wrecker' tool to help pop off those boards easily without removing all the screws first.
Yeah, we inherited the deck with the house, so not my original install. I thought about using an angle grinder, but I'd have to squeeze in between the decking and joists, which is tricky in this case. I might just take the edges apart first to get to the joists.
Good call. Thanks for the suggestion!