Rot Repair in Building Restoration Projects

When dealing with a restoration project, it is a high likelihood that you may encounter rotted or damaged wood that will need repair. Many people are tempted to simply paint over or cover up the rotted areas, but the best thing to do is to repair or replace the affected areas. For help with repairing rotted wood, we have pulled together a series of restoration tips and tricks.

Depending on the extent of the rot damage, it may be best to replace the damaged section entirely. Start by removing the section, and then preparing the patch. Measure and cut the patch to fit in the rotted section, and apply a primer. At this time you can also paint the patch to match the rest of the area. When it is ready, install the patch. The patch may require additional paint at this time to ensure it matches properly.

If removal of the damaged area is either too difficult to remove or to replace, an epoxy wood filler may be the best option for repair. Epoxy wood repair is typically made of two compounds that are mixed together they are then molded and shaped to match the area requiring repair. Once dried, the epoxy is harder than wood but will expand and contract with the wood. The dried epoxy can be nailed into and should last for a considerable time in comparison to the surrounding wood.

Though every project is different, these are a couple of the restoration ideas that are commonly used when dealing with rotted or damaged wood areas. Rather than paint over or ignore it, it is best to take the time to go ahead with a simple repair job to ensure it lasts as long as possible.