Replacing Decking Boards- Drill or Impact Driver

Cerco

Thinking of replacing some composite decking boards and wonder if a drill will suffice or should I try to get an impact driver?

I have a DC725 DeWalt drill with a couple of 18V batteries .

I need to replace about 12 boards , ~3Metres x90mm x 19mm .

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

Oscar_Madison

I haven’t a clue but apparently this guy does 😀 got rid of deck years ago and TG- never returning to it again - too much ongoing hastle - paving all the way now

Best of luck hope the video is what you need

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WdTlfMJX_RE

Hooked

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058373344/replacing-decking-boards-drill-or-impact-driver

Do u want the screws to disappear into the deck board (in time it 'heals' over) or are they currently visible? Sorry - EDITED - these are not wooden boards.

You'll get by with a regular drill - but an impact driver will eat through the job and countersinc the screws (prob has 3 times the torque). You could pick up an impact driver (body) handy - so long as your drill has the newer type battery to match.

I think I've 2 drills and 2 impact drivers. I find if I'm on a project (avid DIYer renovation the house top to bottom) that I'll have one drill ready for drilling, another for light work and one of the impact drivers on the go for meatier work. Or two drills with various drill bits and two impact drivers for screwing. You get the jist. I HATE swapping bits out mid-job LOL.

fletch

Curious why you are replacing composite boards? Thought they lasted a long time…..

Cerco

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122697846#Comment_122697846

Unfortunately the drill has the old batteries. However the point about changing out drill bits is well made. I like the idea of having separate tools ready so that's a definite plus for the impact driver. Seems the way to go as you say it will eat through the work.

Thanks Hooked.

Cerco

Thanks for the video Oscar. Very informative.

Cerco

Cerco

Don't know how long they are down. They were there when I bought the house about ten years ago. Some are splitting and others are flexing a bit with rain puddling in places.

blackbox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122697995#Comment_122697995

Are you sure they are composite?

I can't imagine why composite decking boards would split.

Ted222

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122697770#Comment_122697770

At the risk of asking a stupid question, can all screwdriver bits be used on ordinary drills or are there some designed for impact drills only?

Oscar_Madison

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122697959#Comment_122697959

ah cool glad it helped - best of luck

Kaybaykwah

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122698328#Comment_122698328

The impact driver uses hex only bits, that can be used on drills as well.

rje66

Don't composite decks have a secret type of clip system, where you fix in a plastic piece into the grooves . These plastic clips have a small screw in them, which are very 'light'. The boxes of clips are supplied with a slim bit to drive in the screws. Def not an impact drill job. ill try to post a link

rje66

Screenshot_20241008_212204_Chrome.jpg

See here

Rows Grower

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122697995#Comment_122697995

Easiest way to solve the rain puddling is drill a hole in the deepest part of the puddle.

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122697770#Comment_122697770

Paving is only really an option when the deck

Is a ground level.

The Continental Op

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122698328#Comment_122698328

Only use bits that say they are for use with an impact driver. Ordinary bits will work OK but shatter to easily and don't last long in an impact driver.

Ted222

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122699918#Comment_122699918

Thanks. So it’s okay to use a screwdriver bit designed for an impact driver on an ordinary drill? There’s no difference in width?

Lumen

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122700789#Comment_122700789

Yes, assuming the bit is long enough to get a good grip in the chuck.

Ted222

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122700839#Comment_122700839

Many thanks