Check vulnerable areas of timber, for signs of rot. The bottom of sash windows, french doors, back doors,  window and door frames are more susceptible to rot where water can collect or the wall/floor is suffering from damp. If the paint finish is damaged, this can increase the risk of wet rot. However, although the paint may look sound, the timber underneath may be rotting from the back.

We will often push a thin bladed knife into painted timber frames, the blade should stop after a very short distance; if it goes in up to the handle, it is almost certainly a sign of rot behind the paint. Timber suffering from wet rot will feel spongy (even through a coat of paint) and look darker than the surrounding timber. When dry, the timber will easily crack and crumble into fine particles.

We would always recommend that external timber frames, windows and doors are adequately painted every year or if any cracks start to appear in paint work to protect the timber from frontal ingress of water

We usally replace all rot with hardwood, we can cut away rot and add a new piece of timber joined to that remaining. If rot has reached glass in any windows or doors we would recommend replacing because it affects the structure and is unrepairable. If the damage is confined to a very small  area we will cut back to sound timber and fill surface of the wood treated with a suitable primer.

How we repair

Prevention of rot occuring

How to check