Wet rot...

[imamartian]

Made a huge mistake today, and stuck a chisel into a bit of timber on the conservatory which looked a bit "ropey".... well i never..... the chisel went in and didn't stop !!! Eventually, i cleared out a hole big enough to fit a housebrick in!!

So i've got most of the damp wood.... and applied a wood hardener.... is that the best thing to do? and then fill it with a tough exterior filler?

The conservatory is 11 years old and we got a 10 yr guarantee with it... so i should've been expecting this !!

 

[big-all]

i am assuming the house brick size is a slight exagiration as its probably made from 3x2" so house brick size

you should really spice in some new wood for strength and to save money as 2 part filler is expensive

 

[imamartian]

i am assuming the house brick size is a slight exagiration as its probably made from 3x2" so house brick size

you should really spice in some new wood for strength and to save money as 2 part filler is expensive

only a slight exageration Big.. it's the corner post, and the rear section of both sills, running back 4 inches each way, so a fair sized hole.

My other option is to mitre together two pieces of marine ply to give me my corner post, leaving a cavity behind. And fill the sills, and seal across all the joins to make it water proof. ??

 

[big-all]

is it external or internal
picture possible ??

 

[imamartian]

is it external or internal
picture possible ??

it's the external corner of my conservatory. The sill sits on the bricks, and the corner post comes down and sits on the sill. i've cut 3 inch off the corner post and the inside of the frames has been dug out, and the back half of the sill is gone (funilly enough the sill exposed to the weather is still there !!!

I will attempt a picture tomorrow, but i don't really understand how to get a photo on here !!

 

[big-all]

dont worry about the photo

how long do you think the structure will last ??
if you are trying to get a further 5 years then ply will be enough if you are hoping for longer then a splice and regular treatment is required

 

[imamartian]

dont worry about the photo

how long do you think the structure will last ??
if you are trying to get a further 5 years then ply will be enough if you are hoping for longer then a splice and regular treatment is required

thanks Big.

I would like it to last as long as.... problem is, in digging out the wet timber, i've reached the edge of the window sealed units,,, so literally milimetres away from going outside to in... !!

And if i splice in new timber... i have some oak left over from our new front door... how long before that fails at the joins?

 

[big-all]

wood will never rot if you keep the moisture below around 16% it will rot around 22%
timber that is outside will not rot even if not treated providing it can freely dry and get wet
this is why posts rot at ground level because above and below its greater or less

spongy wood is a curse as it holds the moisture 10 times longer than wood

providing you have got rid off 95% "soft wood " stabilising solution will be ok