Rusting Deck Screws

[tec71]

We live in Ankeny and have a house that's just over 3 years old. Last year we had some hail and wind damage in the neighborhood. most everything got fixed. the deck is your standard deck wood, unstained and unpainted. It had some marks from the hail but no real damage, nothing that wouldn't go away with time. My wife wasn't happy about not getting it replaced even though it's structurally sound. A year later she's convinced that the screws are rusting because of either that hail or the incompetence of the builder. To me it looks more like a discoloration, like what happens to brass over time, not actual rusting but who knows. So, the question is should deck screws rust?

 

[mj4cy]

Hail wouldn't cause rusting, but the builder might have used screws that weren't galvanized. you could take an electric drill and replace the bad looking ones with galvanized screws.

 

[2020cy]

Is it green treated wood? If so, you need special screws that don't corrode, probably need those anyway, it sounds like.

 

[josier]

I just took a railing off our builder standard deck in Johnston and same story. Rusted screws and nails. We're out of warranty and our builder is out of business so there's nobody to complain to, but it still drives you crazy and makes you wonder what other corners were cut.

 

[cytech]

I just took a railing off our builder standard deck in Johnston and same story. Rusted screws and nails. We're out of warranty and our builder is out of business so there's nobody to complain to, but it still drives you crazy and makes you wonder what other corners were cut.

I have heard lots of stories of corners being cut when the house boom was going on. And that was from numerous builders.

I think what it comes down to is these guys were getting so much work that they were hiring unskilled workers to complete jobs and likely alot of problems were caused by them not being properly supervised. Or maybe the builders were just cheap.

 

[egami]

This is why when buying a home it's a good idea to have someone familiar with building to look it over before the purchase.

 

[mj4cy]

This is why when buying a home it's a good idea to have someone familiar with building to look it over before the purchase.

Yep that and a good inspector. He was able to tell us things about our appliances I never would have known.

 

[Clonegrad07]

I have same issue... going to have to replace most of them late this summer... and it's impossible to get them out when they're rusted... going to be a lot of swearing and throwing things that weekend...

 

[Clonehomer]

Just because there is some discoloration does not mean that the screws are not structurally sound. Pretty much any type of screw other than stainless steel will either rust or discolor. I am in the process of building a deck now and everything I've seen recommends using galvanized nails and bolts for structural connections such as joist or beam connections and stainless steel screws for anything that will be seen such as fastening decking boards. They are a little more expensive but it is definitely worth it in the long run.

 

[egami]

I have same issue... going to have to replace most of them late this summer... and it's impossible to get them out when they're rusted... going to be a lot of swearing and throwing things that weekend...

What kind of head does it have on it? Phillips or something else? I've spent many hours of my life removing screws in various construction projects and generally rusty screws aren't a huge problem unless they are a stripped Phillips head.

Btw, when you put new screws in, spend the money on square heads. It's well worth it for putting them in let alone should you ever need to remove them again.

 

[Clonefan94]

What kind of head does it have on it? Phillips or something else? I've spent many hours of my life removing screws in various construction projects and generally rusty screws aren't a huge problem unless they are a stripped Phillips head.

Btw, when you put new screws in, spend the money on square heads. It's well worth it for putting them in let alone should you ever need to remove them again.

Yes, this for sure. If they are looking corroded at all, get out there now and start replacing them. The longer you wait, the more headache you'll get in the long run. The screws aren't cheap, but it will be by far cheaper than having to replace the boards as well next year.

 

[CYKID]

In 2004 lumber companies began changing the chemicals used to treat pressure treated wood. The material used in the new pressure treatment was dicovered to be much more harsh on fasteners. New fasteners were created to counter the effect but changeout was slow.I would guess that your builder used older style fasteners on the new lumber and caused your problem. Here is a link to the article with a longer explanation.
www.allbusiness.com/manufacturing/machinery-manufacturing/149334-1.html

 

[Frak]

What kind of head does it have on it? Phillips or something else? I've spent many hours of my life removing screws in various construction projects and generally rusty screws aren't a huge problem unless they are a stripped Phillips head.

Btw, when you put new screws in, spend the money on square heads. It's well worth it for putting them in let alone should you ever need to remove them again.

I used the star head screws. The kind I got was specifically for green treated wood and comes with the head for your drill. Worked great, no rusting and no stripping.

 

[Covenant Clone]

Yeah unless a fastener specifically says it can be used with green treated lumber it will rust out and corrode quickly. I would get those screws out and replaced asap because they will just snap off and not come out if you wait. Then you will have to start cutting screws off with a recip saw. I would use the star bit screws (Gilcrest Jewett sells them). They are specially made for green treated lumber and they are a breeze to install (never strip out).

Whenever I am in a home improvement store and I see someone with green treated lumber on their cart along with carriage bolts/lag bolts I try to ask it the are using them on a deck. I usually get a yes and then I tell them about buying galvanized instead of zinc plated. If you ever see shiny fasteners holding a deck together get them replaced because zinc plated fasteners will rust out (and eventually fail).

 

[Clonehomer]

Yeah unless a fastener specifically says it can be used with green treated lumber it will rust out and corrode quickly. I would get those screws out and replaced asap because they will just snap off and not come out if you wait. Then you will have to start cutting screws off with a recip saw. I would use the star bit screws (Gilcrest Jewett sells them). They are specially made for green treated lumber and they are a breeze to install (never strip out).

Whenever I am in a home improvement store and I see someone with green treated lumber on their cart along with carriage bolts/lag bolts I try to ask it the are using them on a deck. I usually get a yes and then I tell them about buying galvanized instead of zinc plated. If you ever see shiny fasteners holding a deck together get them replaced because zinc plated fasteners will rust out (and eventually fail).

IF they go through the permitting process then this should have already been spelled out for them. I know in Ames the city told me multiple times that they require hot dipped galvanized and will not accept zinc plated in an inspection. Whether they follow through on that I don't know but they were pretty demanding on that.

 

[egami]

I used the star head screws. The kind I got was specifically for green treated wood and comes with the head for your drill. Worked great, no rusting and no stripping.

It's a personal preference thing. I use the square because overall I've had the best luck with them not stripping. You can typically get whatever head you want for a particular screw. But most anything is better than Phillips.

 

[tec71]

Thanks everyone. Our house was built in the peak of the market, by a local builder that we've found to have used less than stellar subs. I would guess that this is just another example of him subbing it out to the low price without specs and them either not knowing or not caring enough to put the right screws in.

 

[egami]

Thanks everyone. Our house was built in the peak of the market, by a local builder that we've found to have used less than stellar subs. I would guess that this is just another example of him subbing it out to the low price without specs and them either not knowing or not caring enough to put the right screws in.

I am guessing it's the old "cut quality, pocket the difference" mentality.

 

[Covenant Clone]

IF they go through the permitting process then this should have already been spelled out for them. I know in Ames the city told me multiple times that they require hot dipped galvanized and will not accept zinc plated in an inspection. Whether they follow through on that I don't know but they were pretty demanding on that.

Yeah if you get a permit, no problem...that is the first thing the inspector will catch. A lot of people don't get permits for small decks they build, that is where the problems are.

 

[Mack]

Care to post the name of the builder?