Homeowners may save a substantial amount of money by learning how to repair rot and decay on wooden windows. The process involves putting on a primer, adding an epoxy, and finishing with paint or stain, and a waterproof sealer. Windows will look as good as new, instead of feeling spongy and soft, and crumbly when touched.
The main enemies of a wooden window are sun and moisture. Both occur in nature every day, but moisture is the more malevolent of the two. The fungus which causes dry rot thrives in moist, unventilated conditions, such as those present between a layer of paint and a window sill. Excessive moisture, a damaged finish, or failed caulking, are just some of the reasons that wooden windows develop rot.
To begin the repair, homeowners must remove all rotten wood. With a paint scraper, or with a utility knife, old paint, caulk, and rotten wood should be scraped away, until new wood is reached. The new wood must be both coarse and dry before painting, so homeowners will have to sand, and dry the new wood beneath the rot.
After prepping the surface, homeowners should apply a primer. Depending on the brand, the preparatory liquid is either known as primer, or consolidant. It usually consists of two liquids, with equal parts of each mixed together. The primer, or consolidant, pre-treats the surface, by soaking into the wood grain.
Homeowners may have to drill holes into the frame. If dry rot goes all the way down, then drilling small, sloping holes, will help the consolidant to cover all of the gaps in the wood. When the primer has been applied, it should be given sufficient time to cure, as written in the manufacturer's directions.
One or two coats of epoxy may be necessary, depending on the severity of the decay. Homeowners should mix the epoxy and apply it, using a trowel to press into gaps in wood, and into damaged areas. The epoxy should then be allowed to cure, per the manufacturer's directions, until it is ready to be sanded. After sanding, homeowners may prime and paint, or stain, the surface, and then finish the job by applying a waterproof sealer.
Learning how to repair rot and decay on wooden windows is an uncomplicated process. Homeowners who are willing to invest a little time and elbow grease will easily complete the repair. The cosmetic damage will be contained, and homeowners will save money on labor costs, by completing a few simple steps.
The main enemies of a wooden window are sun and moisture. Both occur in nature every day, but moisture is the more malevolent of the two. The fungus which causes dry rot thrives in moist, unventilated conditions, such as those present between a layer of paint and a window sill. Excessive moisture, a damaged finish, or failed caulking, are just some of the reasons that wooden windows develop rot.
To begin the repair, homeowners must remove all rotten wood. With a paint scraper, or with a utility knife, old paint, caulk, and rotten wood should be scraped away, until new wood is reached. The new wood must be both coarse and dry before painting, so homeowners will have to sand, and dry the new wood beneath the rot.
After prepping the surface, homeowners should apply a primer. Depending on the brand, the preparatory liquid is either known as primer, or consolidant. It usually consists of two liquids, with equal parts of each mixed together. The primer, or consolidant, pre-treats the surface, by soaking into the wood grain.
Homeowners may have to drill holes into the frame. If dry rot goes all the way down, then drilling small, sloping holes, will help the consolidant to cover all of the gaps in the wood. When the primer has been applied, it should be given sufficient time to cure, as written in the manufacturer's directions.
One or two coats of epoxy may be necessary, depending on the severity of the decay. Homeowners should mix the epoxy and apply it, using a trowel to press into gaps in wood, and into damaged areas. The epoxy should then be allowed to cure, per the manufacturer's directions, until it is ready to be sanded. After sanding, homeowners may prime and paint, or stain, the surface, and then finish the job by applying a waterproof sealer.
Learning how to repair rot and decay on wooden windows is an uncomplicated process. Homeowners who are willing to invest a little time and elbow grease will easily complete the repair. The cosmetic damage will be contained, and homeowners will save money on labor costs, by completing a few simple steps.
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Keeping your sash windows in excellent condition is a job for the experts. If you like the ambiance of wooden windows, they will need regular maintenance and renovation.
