Rotted baseboards or subfloor cladding
Listed under: Exterior, timber and wood-based, timber, Subfloor, cladding, durability, rot
Cause
Soil or mulch has been built up against the timber
Repair
-
lower the soil/mulch level so it is clear of the cladding – the bottom of the cladding must be able to dry completely
-
check for rot in the timber with a screwdriver. Try to push it into the timber – if the screwdriver easily enters the timber, then the timber is rotten
-
assuming subfloor framing is sound, replace all damaged or suspect baseboard/cladding timber and the bottom 2 boards with treated timber. Use H 3.1 timber with a 3-coat paint system or H3.2 treated timber
-
leave a 30–50 mm gap between the base of the timber and the ground to prevent moisture uptake
-
where framing is affected by rot, engage a registered building surveyor to advise on the cause, extent and repair options
-
where baseboard or cladding timber is good, allow it to dry out completely. Scrape off loose coating and sand the bare timber until the surface is sound. Seal the timber – especially the edges – and recoat.
Cause
Planting and foliage are restricting air flow and keeping the cladding damp
Repair
-
prune back planting heavily. Dig out plants that will eventually regrow to a large size and repeat the problem
-
ensure that the soil/mulch level is clear of the cladding – the bottom of the cladding must be able to dry completely
-
check for rot in the timber with a screwdriver. Try to push it into the timber – if the screwdriver easily enters the timber, then the timber is rotten
-
assuming subfloor framing is sound, replace all damaged or suspect timber and the bottom 2 boards with treated timber. Use H 3.1 timber with a 3-coat paint system or H3.2 treated timber
-
leave a 30–50 mm gap between the base of the timber and the ground to prevent moisture uptake
-
where framing is affected by rot, engage a registered building surveyor to advise on the cause, extent and repair options
-
where baseboard or cladding timber is good, allow it to dry out completely. Scrape off loose paint and sand the bare timber until the surface is sound. Seal the timber – especially the edges – and recoat.
Cause
The timber used was untreated
Repair
-
check for rot in the timber with a screwdriver. Try to push it into the timber – if the screwdriver easily enters the timber, then the timber is rotten and must be replaced
-
assuming subfloor framing is sound, replace all damaged or suspect timber and the bottom 2 boards with treated timber. Use H 3.1 timber with a 3-coat paint system or H3.2 treated timber
-
leave a 30–50 mm gap between the base of the timber and the ground to prevent moisture uptake
-
where framing is damaged, engage a registered building surveyor to advise on the cause, extent and repair options
-
where baseboard or cladding timber is good, allow it to dry out completely. Scrape off loose paint and sand the bare timber until the surface is sound. Seal the timber – especially the edges – and recoat.