How to Remove Aluminum Decking Screws From Spa Deck

Fig.1 Vice Grip®

By Gary Boutin

Supplies and Tools:
Cordless screwdriver with Phillip bit 
Crescent wrench for additional torque 

This job required the removal of 20-screws using my cordless screwdriver, but some fifteen 3-inch aluminum screws remained. The deck had to be removed to repair a spa pipe that had been leaking. 

This post shows the five steps on how to remove damaged aluminum head screws from a Douglas Fir wood deck. 

Step 1: Fig.1 shows the Vice Grip® around each screw top.
Step 2: Fig.2 shows the jaws of the pliers around the screw and turn counter-clockwise until the screw comes out of the wood. I had to dig out the wood around the aluminum screw for room for the tip of the pliers.  

Fig.2 Vice Grip® Pliers

Step 3: Fig.3, fig.4 and fig.5 shows each picture shows the screw being removed from the deck. The process must be repeated until all the screws are removed. Each screw takes about 3-minutes to remove. You must have good hand strength for this task. If you do not have the strength, then use a Crescent Wrench on the narrow side of the Vice Grip® and use the torque of the wrench to give you additional pressure.

Fig.3 unscrewing from top

Fig.4 Turning

Fig.5 Its out job finished

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