Changing weather conditions can punish a wood deck. All that transition from cold to hot and wet to dry makes the wood expand and contract.

The result is splintered and cracked wood, and fasteners that work loose from all of that movement. Since you don’t want your guests getting splinters in their hands or tripping over loose nails, now is the time to correct these problems.

The first step is sanding any rough edges to remove the splinters and burs. The loose nails you can simply drive back down, but you’ll be doing it again soon.

Instead, try replacing the nails with long, coated deck screws. If you drive them into the old nail hole they’re practically invisible, and they’ll ensure that both the wood and the fastener stay put.

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Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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