Hello
During the vacation, I laid about 40m2 of decking. Unfortunately, I am no screw expert, so I went and bought decking screws at Biltema. I thought there wouldn't be much difference between screws.
After a couple of weeks, some screws broke, and then I saw the post "warning for Biltema's decking screws". Of course, I got a bit upset, but if you're dumb enough to buy things at Biltema, you might have to blame yourself.
My idea was now to go and buy proper decking screws and replace the remaining ones before they also break. This is where the problem lies. All the screws I unscrew are broken. They break when I unscrew them. They've been in the decking since week 32, i.e., 2-3 weeks.
I have 40m2 of decking, over worthless 1000 screws that I don't know how to get rid of. When they break, they get stuck in the framework so that I can't get new screws down. How the heck do I solve this problem?
I am incredibly upset that we have been tricked into buying screws that obviously don't work for the purpose.
Is there anyone out there who can explain a good way to replace the screws? Can you nail the old screws further down into the framework so that there's room for the new ones, or is it a lost cause?
It would be unbelievably disappointing to have to buy new decking boards and repeat the whole process...
Best regards, Thomas Ljunggren
During the vacation, I laid about 40m2 of decking. Unfortunately, I am no screw expert, so I went and bought decking screws at Biltema. I thought there wouldn't be much difference between screws.
After a couple of weeks, some screws broke, and then I saw the post "warning for Biltema's decking screws". Of course, I got a bit upset, but if you're dumb enough to buy things at Biltema, you might have to blame yourself.
My idea was now to go and buy proper decking screws and replace the remaining ones before they also break. This is where the problem lies. All the screws I unscrew are broken. They break when I unscrew them. They've been in the decking since week 32, i.e., 2-3 weeks.
I have 40m2 of decking, over worthless 1000 screws that I don't know how to get rid of. When they break, they get stuck in the framework so that I can't get new screws down. How the heck do I solve this problem?
I am incredibly upset that we have been tricked into buying screws that obviously don't work for the purpose.
Is there anyone out there who can explain a good way to replace the screws? Can you nail the old screws further down into the framework so that there's room for the new ones, or is it a lost cause?
It would be unbelievably disappointing to have to buy new decking boards and repeat the whole process...
Best regards, Thomas Ljunggren
What deck screws did you buy? I've only bought stainless from Biltema (A2) and Byggmax and don't recognize the problem at all. Sure, if you've driven the screw into knots, it might be a bit harder or you might already have problems during the driving, that they might break if it's soft stainless steel.
I got curious and just went out to the deck and disassembled/assembled about 20 stainless screws to see if I could replicate your problem. This on a deck that I built three years ago.
Not a single screw had an issue, everything went as smooth as could be to disassemble/assemble.
So one more question: are you using an impact driver? The only thing I used before and used today is a regular screwdriver.
I got curious and just went out to the deck and disassembled/assembled about 20 stainless screws to see if I could replicate your problem. This on a deck that I built three years ago.
Not a single screw had an issue, everything went as smooth as could be to disassemble/assemble.
So one more question: are you using an impact driver? The only thing I used before and used today is a regular screwdriver.
HiH Harald Blåtumme said:
Unfortunately, I bought what was on the shelf. It was labeled wood screw - suitable for decking outdoors against wooden joists.
It was the brown screw corrosivity C4.
So not A2 as you mentioned you have.
Okay, I understand.
Judging from the other thread ("varning Biltema..."), it may be an idea to file a complaint and request compensation for extra work, etc. I know absolutely nothing about this so investigate the possibilities yourself.
But you didn't answer the question if you have used an impact driver. I can very well imagine that it can cause problems with screws in harder steel (compare stainless A2/A4) if you proceed with such tools.
As I said, I have only used Biltema's (and Byggmax) stainless decking screws and only with a regular screwdriver without impact function. Everything has been screwed until the screw head is exactly flush with the surface, no more, no less (but have retightened a lot of screws after the wood has shrunk over time, also completely without problems).
Judging from the other thread ("varning Biltema..."), it may be an idea to file a complaint and request compensation for extra work, etc. I know absolutely nothing about this so investigate the possibilities yourself.
But you didn't answer the question if you have used an impact driver. I can very well imagine that it can cause problems with screws in harder steel (compare stainless A2/A4) if you proceed with such tools.
As I said, I have only used Biltema's (and Byggmax) stainless decking screws and only with a regular screwdriver without impact function. Everything has been screwed until the screw head is exactly flush with the surface, no more, no less (but have retightened a lot of screws after the wood has shrunk over time, also completely without problems).
H Harald Blåtumme said:
Har, I have a regular DeWalt machine, my hammer drill is too unwieldy for decking screws
I have sent an email to their customer service but haven't received a response yet. I can get back with their response when I know more.
Sounds like we've screwed them similarly
The simplest thing would probably be to do nothing. Why unscrew all the screws, especially when they won't unscrew??
If one were to take actions based on everything that can be found online that might be bad, then one would soon not be able to do anything.
If one were to take actions based on everything that can be found online that might be bad, then one would soon not be able to do anything.
Yes, it didn't look fun. It's not reasonable for screws to snap if you try to dismantle, especially not after such a short time. As I said, I had to readjust a few hundred screws that simply stuck up a few mm after the first season when the decking shrunk a little (it was very wet and freshly treated initially. I just screwed them in more, didn't unscrew - no problems whatsoever then with my stainless ones from either Biltema or Byggmax.T thomaslj said:I have a regular Dewalt drill, my hammer drill is way too unwieldy for deck screw driving
I have sent an email to their customer service but haven't received a reply yet. I can get back with their response when I know more.
Sounds like we've screwed them alike
I asked you if you used an impact driver, you haven't: good. A hammer drill/power hammer is a completely different type of machine so we don't misunderstand each other, these provide a hammering force forward when drilling into concrete etc. An impact driver provides a hammering force in the direction of rotation instead and is used when driving long thick screws into stubborn wood where a regular drill (typically with 20 - 40 Nm maximum torque) can't manage. Examples are lag bolts, long thick wood screws in hard timber.
An impact driver can have about five times the torque of a typical drill and can destroy screws (and bits) in an instant if you're inattentive or use too high a torque.
Has it been really hot where you live? The wood contracts and grips around the screw when it dries, and at that point, it's a bad idea to touch the screws. It's better to wait until the wood has swelled a bit again if you feel that any decking is loose and needs new screws.