Deck Removal in Lakewood, CO

Most decks in the area were built to handle outdoor living, but years of intense sun, heavy snow, and seasonal shifts eventually take their toll. What started as a small spot of surface checking turns into split boards, loose railings, and compromised footings. When structural decay makes an outdoor space unsafe, simple patch jobs will no longer fix the underlying issue.

A failing elevated platform or patio extension quickly shifts from an asset into a yard hazard. Fasteners pull away from framing, ledger boards loosen from the house rim joist, and moisture gets trapped where wood meets concrete. Homeowners are often left with an unsafe layout that prevents new construction, landscaping upgrades, or proper home repairs.

Our team handles complete deck teardown and full site cleanup so you can reclaim your yard. We clear away everything from composite planks to heavy support beams, safely disconnecting the structure from your home wall without damaging your siding or foundation.

How Mountain Climate Breaks Down Wooden Platforms

Structures in this region endure harsh weather patterns that weaken wood and metal fasteners over time. High elevation brings intense ultraviolet rays that dry out natural oils in treated lumber, causing planks to warp, cup, and split open along the grain.

First season exposure: Intense sunshine degrades factory sealants and surface paint. Minor moisture gets into small cracks during summer storms. Nighttime cooling causes rapid wood expansion and contraction, which loosens surface screws and nails around high-traffic areas.

Third year impact: Heavy winter snowpack sits on the structure for weeks at a time. As ice melts and freezes repeatedly, water sinks deep into end grain and joist connections. Footings set above the frost line begin to heave, shifting the entire platform out of alignment and pulling stair stringers away from the frame.

Tenth year damage: Trapped moisture behind the ledger board rot out soft framing lumber. Galvanized hangers rust from constant exposure to snow melt, reducing structural support. Footings sink or crack, post bases deteriorate, and the structure becomes unsafe for daily use.

We accept structures in any stage of decay. Whether you have a weathered platform with minor surface rot, a collapsed composite system, or a multi-level structure that has completely separated from the house rim joist, AMI Junk Hauling tears it down safely and hauls every board away.

Physical Steps for Dismantling Frame and Footings

The total footprint, elevation above grade, and framing layout dictate how our crew approaches your deck demolition. A ground-level platform tucked into a tight backyard requires a different teardown strategy than an elevated second-story structure with complex stair flights.

Our crew dismantles the build from the top down and from the outer edge inward toward the house. We start by removing handrails, balusters, and stair stringers to clear safe working pathways. Decking planks come off next, exposing the underlying joists and support beams. The main frame is systematically unbolted and cut into manageable sections. The ledger board remains attached to the house rim joist until the rest of the frame is completely clear, keeping the teardown controlled and preventing sudden structural shifts against your home.

Tight side yards, narrow garden gates, and low-hanging tree branches present access challenges. We use specialized hand tools, reciprocating saws, and heavy-duty pry bars to break down long beams into pieces that fit through standard yard gates. If an air conditioner condenser, gas meter, or delicate garden bed sits directly underneath the structure, we lower heavy posts by hand using rigging straps rather than dropping material to the ground. Once all wood is loaded into our truck, we perform a thorough magnet sweep to collect stray nails, screws, and metal brackets from your lawn.

Factors That Drive Your Teardown Quote

Winter conditions and spring weather dictate peak demand for outdoor demolition, but several physical details determine the labor and equipment required for your specific project. We do not offer generic pricing online because every site setup, elevation, and structural layout is unique.

Framing size and total square footage form the primary baseline for labor time. Higher elevated builds demand additional fall protection gear, ladders, and controlled lowering procedures compared to ground-level structures. Solid composite materials weigh significantly more than standard pressure-treated lumber, which increases total weight loads and transport requirements.

Underlying yard features also impact the quote. Working over steep slopes, around window wells, or near delicate HVAC units slows down dismantling speed. If you need concrete post footings completely pulled out of the soil rather than cut flush at ground level, that requires specialized digging equipment. Finally, closing up lag bolt holes and restoring flashing along the house siding after ledger board removal adds manual detail to the scope of work.

Step-by-Step Teardown Process

1. Initial assessment. You share details about your structure, including its size, height off the ground, and current physical condition. Photos of the backyard access points help us select the right tools for the job.

2. On-site quote. Our crew evaluates the structural layout, pinpoints electrical or plumbing obstacles underneath, checks ledger board attachments, and provides a clear, written price for complete removal.

3. Work area prep. We clear the path to our truck, protect nearby landscaping or windows, and establish safe drop zones for structural lumber before swinging a single hammer.

4. Controlled dismantling. Laborers unfasten railings, pop decking boards, cut joists into shorter lengths, and carefully detach the main ledger board from your home wall without harming exterior siding.

5. Footing handling. Depending on your choice, we cut structural posts flush with the surrounding soil or leverage concrete piers out of the ground to clear the area for future landscaping.

6. Final site sweep. We haul all waste material to our truck, run magnetic rollers across the grass to pick up loose hardware, and leave your yard clean and ready for your next project.

Local Permitting and Regulatory Guidelines

Removing a major exterior structure tied directly to a residence often involves local structural oversight. Attached platforms act as structural extensions of a single-family home, meaning teardown work must comply with local safety standards regarding ledger disconnects, site safety, and property line setbacks.

Before beginning major structural changes, homeowners should consult municipal building departments or review state rules through official resources like the Colorado Revised Statutes

portal. If you plan to replace an old structure with a new patio, pool, or deck design, the replacement permit typically accounts for the initial demolition work.

When our team removes a ledger board, we inspect the underlying house wall for hidden moisture intrusion or wood rot. While structural framing repairs and full wall re-siding require dedicated trade specialists, our crew ensures the attachment site is left clean, free of dangerous protruding bolts, and protected against immediate weather damage until your contractors begin rebuild work.

Diy Teardown Versus Hiring Our Crew

Homeowners who possess heavy-duty saws, crowbars, trailer access, and ample spare time can handle a small, low-lying platform teardown independently. If the wood is clean, easily accessible, and disconnected from the main home, self-hauling offers a straightforward weekend project for experienced handypeople.

However, DIY attempts often run into unexpected physical hurdles on larger or elevated builds. Pressure-treated lumber is dense and heavy, filled with hundreds of rusted, stripped screws that snap saw blades and defy standard drill bits. Maneuvering multi-story framing down ladders without dropping timber into window wells or AC units requires multiple workers and rigging tools.

Disposal creates another bottleneck. Standard curbside trash pickup will not collect structural lumber, joist hangers, or heavy posts. You must rent a high-capacity dump trailer, drive to regional construction waste facilities, pay landfill tipping fees, and unload hundreds of nail-studded boards by hand. The crew provides the labor, heavy equipment, and transport to eliminate those safety risks and logistical headaches entirely.

Sorting and Recycling Demolition Waste

Demolition debris consists of mixed materials that must be sorted properly to meet environmental and solid waste regulations. We separate your old platform into distinct waste streams right at the truck to maximize material recovery and ensure responsible disposal.

Pressure-treated southern pine, hem-fir framing, and composite decking planks cannot be processed in standard clean-wood mulching systems due to chemical preservatives and plastic binders. These materials are transported directly to designated construction and demolition (C&D) processing facilities.

Metal components are diverted from landfills. Aluminum railings, steel post bases, joist hangers, and recovered structural brackets are collected and delivered to local scrap metal recyclers. If concrete piers or footings are extracted from the ground, we haul those heavy masonry blocks to aggregate crushing plants where they are processed into reusable road base filler.

Is It Time to Clear Out Your Old Deck?

Homeowners getting ready for a fresh landscaping design, property sellers fixing structural flags raised by home inspectors, and landlords removing safety hazards all rely on our team. We assist buyers who inherited unsafe outdoor structures, as well as property owners who need old framing removed so siding contractors can install new exterior walls. If an aging wooden platform is taking up space, blocking home updates, or threatening family safety, we provide the muscle and equipment to clear it out fast.

Reach out to schedule your site inspection and get a clear, upfront estimate. Send your project details and yard photos through our online form, or speak directly with our team by calling (888) 371-8120 today. will handle the heavy lifting, structural dismantling, hardware cleanup, and complete waste disposal so you can enjoy a clean, open backyard.