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How to fix wood rot in deck supporting structure?
Hi,
I am looking for advice on how to address wood root in deck supporting structure.
Having read some of the posts in this forum I was going to take the steps below to address it.
Keen for some feedback on whether or not those steps are appropriate?
What type of timber do I need to source for outdoor frame?
At what point do I need to be concerned about impacting structural of remaining timber ?
I attached some photos where I have completed step 1 above and just put a supporting piece of timber as interim measure and covered up the area with a tarp to prevent further rain exposure until I hear back from this forum.
Thanks
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Re: How to fix wood rot in deck supporting structure?
Hello @dbarmettler
Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your deck.
It will be necessary to remove all the rot in the joist. All soft, black, rotted affected spots must be removed until you are back to unaffected timber. If the rot has travelled too far into the timber, I recommend replacing entire joist.
Wood hardener can't be used on structural timber pieces as it is only a cosmetic fix. It's possible to use H3 framing timber to patch the damaged areas. However, if the rot has compromised the structural integrity of the timber joist, it's best to replace it with a new one.
Let me call on our experienced members @Nailbag and @Dave-1 for their recommendations.
If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.
Eric
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Re: How to fix wood rot in deck supporting structure?
Good evening @dbarmettler
Finding rot in your timber is a tad scary I must admit. Tho it dosnt scare me as much as I use to be.
To answer your questions...
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Re: How to fix wood rot in deck supporting structure?
Hi @dbarmettler I would be following @Dave-1 steps through to #4. However personally my experience with Oregon is that once you have sections of rot it will continue to spread like a cancer and needs to be cut out as placing support timbers either side is an excellent suggestion that will assist structurally but won't stop the rot from spreading.
- As Dave suggested check around the affected areas for softness. Where that stops and mark out say 100mm either side and 90mm down and cut that section out. A recip saw makes this job easy if you have access to one. See attached photos.
- To do this you will need to remove the boards above. Apply the wood hardener, then apply an exterior undercoat.
- Glue and screw the new insert piece which could be 90mm x 45mm treated pine.
- There should now only be small gaps which you u could use a multipurpose filler such as this one which cures quickly and very hard. Easy to sand and no mixing. If you end up with larger/deeper ones then as Dave suggested use Builders bog. Before it fully cures scrape away the excess to make sanding easier.
- Apply the undercoat then the colour coat.
- To help prevent moisture build up on there top of the joist, you could consider this product, just bear in mind it will change the height of the effected boards to the existing ones. I use this type of product when laying all new boards when the deck is weather exposed.
If you ever discover rot where it’s a structural issue, then as painful as it will be, the entire piece of timber should be replaced. I had a deck where the posts were so rotted I could push my fingers straight through. I had to support the entire end of a deck 3m above the ground and replace 4 of 6 posts. (pic attached). I also had sections of rot in the facia and like you in a few joists. But as I was re-decking I replaced those.
Nailbag
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Re: How to fix wood rot in deck supporting structure?
Thanks for the welcome and prompt response.
Based on your responses I am going to address the leak on the roof to stop the source of the issue, do an interim repair (following steps outlined by @Dave-1 to stop the floor boards being a trip hazard and because structural, err on the side of caution and seek to replace the entire timber joist.
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Re: How to fix wood rot in deck supporting structure?
Hi @dbarmettler,
Paint is an effective sealer of timber.
Even though you've only cut out a small portion of the beam's overall size, it's now structurally compromised with a reduced load capacity. The rot likely spreads further into the timber, past the super spongey section you've removed. Given it's quite difficult to assess the spread of rot, which could be isolated to the centre of the beam and not penetrating the faces, I'd recommend either having the beam assessed by a professional carpenter to ensure it's not compromised or replacing it entirely just to be safe.
Mitchell
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