Wood repair for your home – Windows, Doors and Cladding

If you have exposed wood on your house, eventually you will probably experience some degree of wood rot.  Wood only needs warmth and moisture to begin turning into a deteriorated mess.  As a home owner you should check any horizontal areas which may collect water with an awl or metal probe.

Even a well-maintained home can develop problems with rot. Rot is caused by wood absorbing water, and there are a wide variety of causes, such as poor circulation, poor drainage or improper sealing.  If you have rotted wood, be aware that it has to be repaired or replaced to prevent water, air and/or bug infiltration into your home. Wood trim in Ontario should be cleaned, caulked and re-painted every four to eight years depending on its condition.  If the wood is not painted regularly, the paint will fail and the wood will not have any barrier to the elements and will soak up water. If it’s not regularly painted, then you can “pay me now or pay me a lot more later.”

There are many methods of repairing rotted wood surfaces.  The number one priority is to remove all rotted wood with a sharp tool ensuring no soft wood is remaining.  Failing to remove rotted wood can lead to rot continuing to damage remaining wood under repair.

There are many products available to repair rotted wood on the exterior of your home..  Some of the more popular methods are covered below:

One common repair method is using a polyester filler which can be shaped and moulded to fill removed areas of rotted wood.  Sanding can match existing  profiles and paint will make repair look like new.

Epoxy fillers are a structural adhesive putty and wood replacement compounds. They are a high-strength no-shrink adhesive paste to fill, repair and replace wood and other materials in structures, walls, floors, furniture, sculptures. They are unaffected by water and insects.  . Epoxies must be mixed with their catalyst to become chemically active, so you have a limited amount of time to work with epoxy before it begins to harden. Heat makes epoxy cure faster, so you should take the weather into account when making repairs.

Wood Trim Repair

Interior surfaces made from wood need to be kept clean at all times to prevent damage. Fixing problems such as dings, cracks, and scratches on wood trim can be a simple task. If part of the surfaces seems to be seriously damaged, you may want to consider replacing the trim rather than repair. Otherwise, you can hide or cover up gouges and minor scratches with the right materials. But first, you have to clean the surface to get rid of the grime and grease.

You can repair wood surfaces with epoxy filler or wood putty, depending on the extent of the damage. Use epoxy filler if the damage is extensive. For cracks and dents in your trim molding, you can use wood putty. Soft wood putty is perfect for filling holes left by screws and nails, and it’s easy to apply. All you have to do is fill the putty into the damaged area and wipe off with your finger. You don’t even have to sand it.

Clean the area to be repaired to remove any grease and dirt. Use masking tape to protect your walls. Using fine grit sand paper, sand off any raised edges or splinters. Next, apply wood filler over the damaged area. If using wood putty, it will shrink as it dries and any excess can be sanded off after it dries. Allow it to dry completely overnight. If using epoxy, be as precise as possible and be careful not to use too much as it will not shrink and is more difficult to sand. After it has dried, sand it smooth and clean off the dust. If you are painting it, apply primer first, then paint.

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When buying an older home with exposed wood trim protect yourself and your investment by having your property inspected by Barrie Home Inspections