Read on to learn the basics of wood rot repair using epoxy.
Should You Replace or Repair Rotted Wood?
It’s important to evaluate whether you should repair or replace rotted wood.
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The main determining factor is if you have wet or dry rot.
Both types of rot are fungal but dry rot is more severe and destructive.
Repairing rotted wood is a two-part process: preparation and patching.
During the preparation phase, you’ll remove as much of the rotted wood as possible.
If the damaged wood is wet or moldy, it must thoroughly dry out before the patching step.
First, a liquid epoxy wood consolidant is brushed onto the cleaned-up wood.
Second, a moldable epoxy is applied to the missing wood area.
After drying and sanding, the epoxy matches the level of the surrounding wood.
It can then be stained or painted.
Dry the Wood Out
Let the wood completely dry out.
Exterior wood can sometimes take weeks during the dry season to dry out.
Loosen Rot With a Screwdriver
Removing the rot will help accelerate the drying process.
Use a screwdriver, paint scraper, orfive-in-onetool to carve out the rotted wood.
All loose and unstable wood must be removed.
Mix the Consolidant
Mix the two liquids in a plastic container with a wooden stick.
Use a chip brush to brush the liquid epoxy wood consolidant onto the wood.
The consolidant has about 30 minutes of working time.
If the wood is heavily cracked or pitted, pour the consolidant into those deep voids.
Let the Consolidant Harden
Allow the consolidant to cure for about two or three hours.
In colder temperatures, it may take longer for the consolidant to harden.
Wearing latex gloves, mix the two parts in a clean plastic container.
Apply the Filler
Using theputty knife, generously apply the mixed filler to the missing wood area.
Push the filler in firmly.
Roughly sculpt the filler to the shape of the missing windowsill section.
Make the shape slightly larger than the original.
Sand Down the Filler
Let the filler harden for at least four hours.
Smooth the Filler
Switch to #120 sandpaper.
Continue to sand down the filler until it is smooth.
Paint or Stain the Filler
Clean dust off of the filled section withtack cloth.
Paint or stain as desired.
Fix rotting wood without replacing it using a two-part epoxy resin.
Stop wood from rotting by eliminating the source of moisture or leaking.
Repairing rotted wood withepoxyis often more expensive than replacing it with wood.
Calculate the size of the void by measuring length by width by depth to arrive at total cubic inches.
An 8-ounce kit, which costs around $25 to $35 fills around 14 cubic inches.
Fast Facts About Wood Rot.Ohio History Connection.
Overview of Wood Preservative Chemicals.EPA.
