How to fix water-damaged cornice?

[kenhan168]

Hi,

My house's cornice was damaged by the leaking roof. Now, the roof has been fixed. May I ask what is the easiest DIY way to fix these damaged cornice? Can I spray them with water to soften the cornice and push or nail them back?

Many thanks,

Ken

[MitchellMc · Accepted solution]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @kenhan168. It's sensational to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about repairing cornice.

You could potentially try spraying the cornice with water to soften it and then push or nail it back into place, but I’d recommend assessing whether it might be easier to replace the damaged section altogether. While this would still involve some work, installing a new cornice could give you a much cleaner, more lasting result.

If you’d prefer to repair the existing cornice, the first step is to evaluate whether the cornice can be manipulated back into position. If it’s not too badly warped or brittle, you might be able to gently push it back into place and secure it with nails or adhesive. However, if the damage is more significant, the cornice may have lost its integrity, making a replacement the better option.

For a more detailed guide on repairing cornices, have a look at a step-by-step guide on How to repair cracked cornice. This will give you specific tips on reattaching or filling cracks to restore the cornice's appearance.

Ultimately, the limiting factor will be whether the cornice can still be manipulated back into shape or whether it’s too far gone to repair effectively. If you find that the cornice is too damaged, replacing it might be the best route for a smooth, professional finish.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[kenhan168]

Thanks @MitchellMc , that is very helpful!

I will try to see if I can reshape it with water, if not, will replace it.

Thanks again,

Ken