The Process of Fixing Your Rotted Wood Problem

If you’ve come across weird discoloration in your wood or a strange odor, you likely encountered rotted wood. You don’t need to waste time wondering where you went wrong; it happens. Wood rot is common when a wooden surface, like a door or deck, experiences exposure to moisture buildup. Let’s learn about the process of fixing your rotted wood problem.

Identifying Rotted Wood

The most common places for rotted wood include the places where wood makes contact with the damp ground. It’s not too difficult to spot wood rot, but it’s tricky to test if you don’t have the right tools. The best tool to use is a screwdriver, as its dull edge can smooth out softened wood areas.

Additionally, damage from pests and insects creates horrific issues on the base. Here are a few other signs of rotten wood:

• Gray mold strands
• Discolored wood
• Plumbing leaks

Wood rot is easy to find with these identifiers, and if you catch the decay early, it’s possible to eliminate the issue without needing to replace your wood.

How To Fix Wood Rot

To fix wood rot, you first need to compile your tools. Depending on the stage you find the wood rot in, you might need more than a putty knife.

These are the tools you’ll need:

• Putty knife
• Utility knife
• Sandpaper
• Chisel
• Claw hammer
• Paintbrush

You’ll also need suitable materials to help restore the wood’s strength. Here’s what you need when replenishing the wood’s strength after removing the wood rot:

• Polyester or epoxy filler
• Epoxy paste, epoxy resin, and consolidant
• Wood hardener

After you’ve gathered your supplies, start planning how to repair the wood rot. The next step in the process of fixing your rotted wood problem is the actual repair.

Remove Boards

You need to remove your boards to prevent the spread of rot. Use the claw hammer to remove each infected panel. Then, after removing each board, replace it with new pieces of wood.

Apply Your Filling

After replacing your wood, or if there’s minimal damage, apply a filling or hardener to help retain the wood’s strength. The filler and hardener create a barrier that helps protect the wood from further damage and leaves your deck or door looking brand new.

Stain Your Boards

The final step is to stain your boards. After everything’s fixed and filled, start by using a sealant to close off any gaps from collecting water and match the rest of your wood.

Replace Your Wood

If you’ve let your wood go unaddressed for a long time, then you likely need to replace your entire wood paneling or deck boards. Replacing the whole deck or wooden structure may be a good idea, as you’ll have a new canvas to illustrate something unique and different.

The best way to protect your wood is to catch wood rot before it damages your home. Keep maintaining your area with the correct methods to strengthen the region as you learn about wood rot.

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