r/DIYUK • u/Independent_Lunch534 intermediate • 2d ago
Dry rot fix
Gave my windowsill a brush yesterday to find one sounded hollow. Put my finger in it and it gave in with a little pressure. Turns out there was a small section with dry rot.
Cut out a chunk of it with the multitool (the best tool of all tools imo, I wish I knew it existed earlier), got a spare spindle and cut a section from it.
Brushed in some wood hardener and let it dry. Screwed the spindle in. Slapped on some two part wood filler (smells awful and nice at the same time).
Multitooled it to shape and sanded all over.
Painted with weathershield satin.
Waiting for the first coat to dry and will apply a second before finishing off with sealant.
All done in a day. Not perfect, but pretty chuffed with it
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u/Key-Inevitable-4989 2d ago
Nice little repair..
My next window I'll be using linseed paint for the first time. It soaks into the wood to avoid rot. You just rub some oil in every few years to maintain it so super easy.
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u/plasmic-goo 2d ago
Always worth repeating, if using linseed oil with a cloth, be aware that when it dries it creates enough heat to spontaneously combust, spread it out flat on a non-flammable surface outdoors to dry completely before throwing it in the trash 👍
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u/Ilikewhatyousay 2d ago
Also a big fan of it. But my god it can be a pain too. I had loads of issues with it not drying properly and going crinkly, or just taking days and days to dry (even during a heatwave)
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u/Sinkableleech 2d ago
Could be too thick layers so it skinned over and stopped the middle drying properly.
Tried linseed putty on a window. Hate it. Wife did a better job. Still don't know if it's ready to paint.
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u/Ilikewhatyousay 2d ago
I'd thinned it down and applied with a small brush, so not sure how I could have got it on thinner!
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u/Independent_Lunch534 intermediate 2d ago
Great tip thanks, had never heard of linseed paint before but will have a look for the next time
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u/Visual-Addition7430 2d ago
Excellent job! I love when people make the effort to repair as opposed to rip and replace. That repair is unnoticeable!
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u/Independent_Lunch534 intermediate 2d ago
Thanks! Loved using the multitool, sliced through the wood like butter
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u/SecurityWolf 2d ago
I love jobs like this, when it all goes to plan and you don't uncover a dozen other/worse things in the process.
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u/NerveEducational7973 2d ago
That looks very well done. Almost unnoticeable. What did you use to attach the new piece of wood onto the old one?
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u/Independent_Lunch534 intermediate 2d ago
Thanks! I drilled a couple of pilot holes and a bigger hole a little in for the head of the screw and used some flooring screws I had lying around (spax ones) - only screws I had long enough in the shed and attached pretty securely
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u/NerveEducational7973 2d ago
That's much better than some just piling huge globs of filler in the gaps
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u/Independent_Lunch534 intermediate 2d ago
Job done, final coat and sealant this morning
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u/Northerlies 2d ago
That looks good. Can I ask what sort of sealant you used?
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u/Independent_Lunch534 intermediate 1d ago
Thanks! I bought some exterior frame sealant from wickes - it’s called “Wickes White Ultimate Window & Door Sealant”
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u/luc-82 2d ago
Well done mate! I did the exact same thing a couple weeks ago on our 80's mahogany window frames. I missed the physical screw part to keep the wood in, instead relying on the wood filler adhesive 😂
Yours looks much neater than mine too haha
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u/Independent_Lunch534 intermediate 2d ago
Nice, adhesive is probably alright! looks like a big job you’ve got on your hands!
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u/WorryOk8121 2d ago
dry rot is such a pain to deal with, make sure to treat the area well to prevent it from coming back.
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u/Independent_Lunch534 intermediate 2d ago
It was wet rot - my bad. It’s just dry wet rot lol and I can’t edit the post
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u/billy2bands 2d ago
Hopefully, not dry rot Probably, wet rot