Rotted baseboards or subfloor cladding

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.