How to fix outdoor porch post in winter - wood rot

[DIYNovice1979]

Hi,
My porch post is rotting away, bits are falling off and the paint is flaking at the bottom.

Given it's wet and cold at the moment, what's the best way of fixing this (without waiting for summer)?

Thanks

 

[ktuludays]

Fit a new post

 

[Tigercubrider]

Is the actual post rotten?
It looks like a post with cladding on four sides?

It might be possible t save it by cutting above the rot and checking the inside.
If it isn't rotten internally, you could fit a new casing on just the bottom (do the same to the other one)
Make it look like a feature.
The rot could be rain splash? You could use hardwood covered with lead/aluminium/copper

 

[sparkwright]

You should wait till spring or summer.

You could risk it now with a hairdryer, some wood hardener, and some two part wood filler - but it won't last long and will need re-doing soon.

Do it if you must, but don't expect miracles.

Wet bare wood does not like being sanded btw - it goes all fibre-y.

Leave it for now if you can.

 

[DIYNovice1979]

Thanks, I'll wait until summer. Do you think it's worth trying to cover with a plastic bag to keep the water out?

 

[sparkwright]

Possibly not - the water still may find it's way in, and the plastic bag may impede it drying out.

It's worth considering a whole new post in the future, if that is holding anything up.