My deck joist hanger choice came down to nails versus screws

I was replacing a section of my back deck in Tacoma and had to pick between using joist hanger nails or structural screws for the new Simpson LUS28 hangers. I went with the screws thinking they'd be easier, but one snapped during installation and I had to drill it out. Has anyone else had a structural screw fail like that on pressure-treated wood?

2 comments

2 Comments

harper_gibson25d ago

Ever try pre-drilling after @beth_baker69's tip saved me from more snapped screws?

beth_baker695d ago

Ugh, that's the worst. I had a Simpson screw snap on me last year too, right in the middle of a joist. I think the pressure-treated wood was just too wet and the screw bound up. Had to drill it out like you, total pain.