[FirebirdHank]

Retired carpenter checking in. If iI was contacted to repair that rail, it would be simpel. Remove and replace with new. Easier, quicker and a job you will be happy with when done. If some of the wood is that bad the rest isn't far behind.

[TAKerry]

Originally Posted by FirebirdHank

Retired carpenter checking in. If iI was contacted to repair that rail, it would be simpel. Remove and replace with new. Easier, quicker and a job you will be happy with when done. If some of the wood is that bad the rest isn't far behind.

This but im not retired yet. You will be hard pressed to get those screws out. Even if you can get a bite with the driver they will most likely snap as soon as you put some torque to them. Theres a right way to do things and the other way. You are attempting the other way.

[sdbob]

Retired contractor. I would recommend removing old wood replacing with new. If money is tight right now. Brace banister to ground. Save money and use new. You may find out old wood is well old. Sometimes trying to fasten to old wood isnot strong . It is up but weak.

[NeighborsComplaint]

Piece of cake if you follow my instructions in #13 ...

[TAtech]

Reciprocating saw is the best way, start cutting your old rotten wood that will be replaced and get it out of the way. Then use a long fine tooth metal cutting blade and cut between the two joined boards cutting the screw. Learned this from a contractor many years ago and have had much success doing it this way.

[dhutton]

Originally Posted by FirebirdHank

Retired carpenter checking in. If iI was contacted to repair that rail, it would be simpel. Remove and replace with new. Easier, quicker and a job you will be happy with when done. If some of the wood is that bad the rest isn't far behind.

This.....

Use a composite deck railing that won’t rot.

Don

[getmygoat]

Thanks for all the comments guys. I was able to get out all 28 screws. Crazy but I bought another impact screwdriver on ebay and it did the trick. Although I did give myself two pinch/blood blisters on my hand in the process. For the stripped screws I just destroyed the wood with the claw on one hammer, pounding it with another. Once I had the wood destroyed I used vice grips to remove the screws. Not pretty but got it done.

I also pulled off one of the main vertical banister supports which was rotten at the top.

The deck is definitely getting closer to the end of its life. California is nuts however. My next door neighbor got a quote of $10k to replace a similar deck, so I'm hoping that by replacing this rotten banister wood and the decking that maybe I can get 10 more years out of the deck since we don't get a lot of water here generally.

Thanks again.