Wood rot, a very common problem that every homeowner faces in his life. It happens due to moisture and fungi and before you know it, solid lumber turns to mush. Luckily, there are various solutions available to repair the wood rot done by water. Either you choose to replace the entire wood or select a repair process to go through. It all depends on you. Repairing rotted wood is a job that is hard to do but there are some things to keep in mind when trying to fill rotted wood. A step by step guide is prepared below to make you feel comfortable enough to choose a method from plenty of available alternates for repairs.
1. Various methods to repair rotted wood
A good amount of solutions are available to one’s fingertip for repairing the rotten wood. But before you can fix it, you have to find the root cause of the rot and seize them in order to prevent further rotting. Examining the depth of rot is indispensable if you want to repair the rotted wood. Wood rot is very dangerous and if you don’t take it seriously, it may cause huge damage to your flooring, interior, doors and make them collapse any time.
1. Wood restore: This method can be used where rot is in the starting phase, mostly on visible parts, such as the corner side of the table, door, wardrobe, etc. A layered coating of wood Restore (a product) is used to fill minor rotted areas of the wood. The drawback of this method is that it cannot be used where wood rot is big.
● Remove the rotten part of the wood with the help of a claw, chisel, or flat head screwdriver.
- Remove all the rotten wood leaving the hard and healthy part behind.
- Dirt, rust, or primer should be removed to process further because a wood restore cannot stick to a dirty place. Use sandpaper on the rotted part on the wood to remove all the dust and paint.
- Apply wood restore (a product available to repair rot) coating on the affected part for several times.
2. Epoxy filling: Epoxy filling is used on that wooden furniture where replace is not possible due to its shape and size. Epoxy filling not only repairs the rotted part, but it also makes the wood stronger and moisture-proof for decades. Epoxy is best to use on a surface of rotted wood that is not hanging, like a door.
- You can get epoxy fillers from the market to fix the rotted wood.
- It is a liquid plastic that hardens on exposure to the air.
- First of all, remove the rotted softwood.
- Mix the two components of the epoxy filler—resin and hardener and blend them with a putty knife.
- Sculpt this mixed epoxy on wood.
- Pain the wood. Done!
3. Removing and Replacing the rotted wood: This method is used only if the rot is severe and cannot be repaired to look original. Replacing the rotted wood takes time and expertise. This method is used only by the professional to replace the entire part with a new piece of wood. Many tools are required to do this repair e.g, handsaw, wood, claw, chisel, hammer, screws, etc.
- Mark the rotted part of the wood almost 2 inches extra in order to cut that out.
- Use a reciprocal handsaw to cut the marked part. Do this process very carefully without damaging the unmarked area. Consider practicing the reciprocal handsaw on a random wood to get some experience of working with it.
- Take the piece out with the help of a chisel and hammer. Use chisel and hammer to break the rotted wood in parts and take them out completely of the wood.
- Cut a same-sized piece of wood to replace the hollow space. Use a measurement tape and saw to do this.
- Apply wood glue on a side of the wood piece that is going to fit with the remaining wood.
- Stick it correctly with the remaining part.
- Drill screws to make it more strong.
- Paint it out.
- Also read (Add link of How to repair the rotted door jamb)
4. Patching with wood fillers: Wood fillers are another good option available to deal with rotted wood. A mixture of wood filler and hardener is used to fill the holes made due to rot. Wood fillers are widely used to fill the rotted holes in doors, tables, floors, etc.
- Inspect the depth of wood rot by pushing your fingers in it.
- When you find the rotted part, use a chisel or any spiked tool to remove to rotted part.
- Wood fillers cannot be used to fill larger holes. Make sure you place some replacement wood in holes before using wood fillers.
- Create a mixture of wood filler and hardener on a plastic plate. It will dry in just 15-20 minutes. So do this step fast.
- Take some mixture on the putty knife and apply it on the rotted part. Fill the whole void with this mixture.
- Remove the excess fillers with the help of chisel and sandpaper.
- Paint the surface.
- Also read: (Add link of How do you by tray wood rot in Bathroom Door)
2. Which method is best to use?
After reading this guide you probably want to know which method is most suitable and best for you to repair the wood rot. Well, this depends on the type, place, and size of the rot.
- The method of wood restore can only work with edges of and the surface of the wood. Also, the rot should not be more than ½ inches.
- Epoxy fillers are used on internal or external wooden timbers where rot is severe and needs quick treatment.
- Replacing the entire rotted wood is best only if you have expertise in doing so.
- Patching and covering the rotted wood area with wood filler is also a convenient option where wood rot is not too large.
3. Conclusion
Wood rot is a serious problem that should be addressed quickly to prevent complete damage of timber. But It takes some common sense to know which methods (described above) is best for you to use on wood rot to repair. Please visit MCL Flooring for more articles on wooden floors, wooden floor repair and wooden doors.
