Soft, rotten area in the slat of a bench - how to fix?

[Rollerball]

The seat of my five year old wooden bench has developed a soft spot in one of the slats, see photo.

I was going to gouge it out and perhaps fill it with something suitable but the area either side of it for two or three inches is also slightly soft. To give some sense of scale to the photo below the widest area of that rotten area I've removed is about two inches long.

Any suggestions please on how to fix this without replacing the whole slat? Maybe dig out what I can and fill with ......... what? Then treat (the bench treated with Osmo Oil two or three years ago).

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Replace it, replacing is easy and cheap.

 

[slawit]

Several options if you don’t want to replace the slat, dig out the rot then simply drill several small holes right through the slat so water can drain the when you oil the bench just work the oil well into this area. Alternatively, you can dig out the rot, soak it in oil and turn the lat over. There are 2 pack fillers on the market that are suitable for exterior joinery however they’re designed to be coated with paint afterwards rather than oil, so I wouldn’t recommend filling if your oiling.

 

[Rollerball]

Thanks guys, I'll see if I can find a replacement slat online that's the same wood (apparently it's Swedish Redwood).

BTW, this is the bench:

Simply Wood Imperial Bench 4ft (2 Seater) - SALE - Simply Wood

High quality hardwood garden bench, now available at over half price savings, while stocks last. Commercial quality and fully guaranteed for the UK weather.

wooden-garden-furniture.com

Or maybe I'll just go for any wood, is there a decent wood that's suitable for a bench other than the Swedish Redwood?

 

[accelerator]

On your link it says "Comes With A 20 Year Guarantee Against Rot".

 

[slawit]

If it’s Swedish redwood then no wonder it’s rotten, this is just another name for quick growing softwood pine from Sweden. 90% of all of softwood construction timber used in this country is Swedish redwood and it’s nothing special. While it can be used outside without regular treatment it won’t last more than a few years. Any bench that comes with a ’20-year guarantee’ will have some sort of a caveat saying effectively regular maintenance must be carried out. There is no timber product on the market that will give even a ten-year warranty without some sort of maintenance. As for which timber is best to use for outside either Teak, Iroko or Accoya none of which you will be able to buy ‘of the shelf’ in the size you want.

 

[accelerator]

Did you ever treat it?

Try Sikaguard clear water-based wood preserver.

 

[Rollerball]

If it’s Swedish redwood then no wonder it’s rotten, this is just another name for quick growing softwood pine from Sweden. 90% of all of softwood construction timber used in this country is Swedish redwood and it’s nothing special. While it can be used outside without regular treatment it won’t last more than a few years. Any bench that comes with a ’20-year guarantee’ will have some sort of a caveat saying effectively regular maintenance must be carried out. There is no timber product on the market that will give even a ten-year warranty without some sort of maintenance. As for which timber is best to use for outside either Teak, Iroko or Accoya none of which you will be able to buy ‘of the shelf’ in the size you want.

Thanks, I didn't know that! I'll avoid that wood in the future.

Are there any replacement slats that I CAN buy 'off the shelf' which, while not the ones you recommend, would be fairly close?

 

[Rollerball]

Did you ever treat it?

Try Sikaguard clear water-based wood preserver.

Thanks - yes, it's been treated with Osmo Oil (twice over the past five years).

 

[Koolpc]

A match would sort out that bench for you!

 

[Rollerball]

A match would sort out that bench for you!

It's too damp, I'd need a flamethrower.

In fact, the rest of the slats are fine, it's just that one which has a problem (at the moment ......... ).

 

[slawit]

Your best bet is to visit small local joinery companies, one of them might have a bit of hardwood in the bottom of the rack which they can put through the planner for you.

 

[Old Salt]

You can buy slats on ebay, lots of choice available.

 

[opps]

It's too damp, I'd need a flamethrower.

In fact, the rest of the slats are fine, it's just that one which has a problem (at the moment ......... ).

From memory, the exterior Osmo oil (with limited UV protection) is only designed for vertical timber. Long story.. but I know because I had to oil a ash wooden grave cross, whilst the family were waiting for the ground to settle enough for the stone headstone.

I did tell them that it might not last long. It only needed to last half a year. The previous timber on fell apart after 6 months.

As a decorator, and one who often uses Osmo products, I would recommend an oil product from Sadolin or Sikkens.

 

[Rollerball]

From memory, the exterior Osmo oil (with limited UV protection) is only designed for vertical timber. Long story.. but I know because I had to oil a ash wooden grave cross, whilst the family were waiting for the ground to settle enough for the stone headstone.

I did tell them that it might not last long. It only needed to last half a year. The previous timber on fell apart after 6 months.

As a decorator, and one who often uses Osmo products, I would recommend an oil product from Sadolin or Sikkens.

Thanks, I didn't know that. Before I used the Osmo Oil I emailed the manufacturer and mentioned the intended use and they said it would be fine ........ but I guess not.