Decks and Railings: Replace broken deck boards

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Replace Broken Deck Boards
You don't have to let a split, rotted or otherwise ugly deck board ruin the appearance of your deck. Simply replace it and in a year or so the replacement will blend right in.
You usually don't have to replace an entire board. Just make sure to cut out a piece that spans at least three joists. The remainder should be at least that long. And don't hesitate to cut out a little extra to keep adjacent decking joints staggered for better appearance.
The most difficult part is cutting out the damaged section cleanly. Don't try to cut directly over a joist. Instead, cut to one side and screw on a cleat to support the new decking. It's a fairly hefty cut for a jigsaw, so use a sharp, stiff blade to keep your cuts as straight and smooth as possible.

Photo 1: Draw a square line on the decking to one side of a joist below. Cut the deck board with a jigsaw. Pull the decking nails with a cat's paw.