Deck Replacement & Removal

The USDA Forest Products Laboratory says the most common reason treated wooden decks are removed is splitting and checking, not decay or structural problems. When boards, guards or framing are past repair, the old deck comes out and a new one is built in its place.

Two things matter before demolition. First, age: Health Canada says residential decks, fences and play structures built before 2004 are likely to have been made from CCA-treated lumber. Its advice for treated wood is never to burn it, indoors or outdoors, and to wear a dust mask, eye protection, gloves and long sleeves when sawing or sanding it.

Second, disposal: the City of Ottawa says wood, including pressure-treated lumber, from construction, renovation or demolition is not collected with regular garbage; it goes to the Trail Road Landfill Site or another landfill. Ask each builder whether removal and disposal are in the price.

The new deck is a new deck: the City's permit rules, the 2024 Ontario Building Code and both zoning by-laws apply to it as they would to any deck. The City does not say whether replacing boards alone on existing framing needs a permit; ask Building Code Services before you rely on either answer. Too few published Ottawa removal prices exist to quote a range.