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nomadutah · 10-28-2014, 07:17 AM

Another newby question........wood rot from water leak.

If the leak was dealt with and wood is no longer wet...

Does the rot continue until its cut out and replaced?

I have figured that I can repair most of the damaged wood from the opening, but if the rot must be ALL cut out then I have a little bigger chore ahead of me as there is a vertical piece hiding to the far left that I can only get to if I remove outer skin for access or remove alot of interior stuff that I would rather not tackle.

Sorry for not turning the photo first...didn't notice it was sideways

TDI-Minnie · 10-28-2014, 08:57 PM

It should not get worse unless you have a mold issue. But even mold needs moisture. Replace what wood you can and keep it dry.
Happy camping!

TexasTom · 10-28-2014, 09:13 PM

Years ago we used a product called "Git-Rot" (if my memory is any good) to repair wood stringers on a boat. Worked very well & didn't have to cut out all the wood

SKP Kirk · 10-29-2014, 06:55 PM

Dry rot is so called because once it has begun it will continue until all bad wood has been removed. There are products that profess to stop the rotting and make the wood sound again, as Tom alluded to and I have heard good reports on some of them but have not personally used any. Some of the wood in those pictures looks like a good candidate for the suggested product, but the framing to the lower right in that picture looks like most of the wood is gone and so will be very lacking in strength. I would replace it for structural reasons.

nomadutah · 10-30-2014, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKP Kirk

Dry rot is so called because once it has begun it will continue until all bad wood has been removed. There are products that profess to stop the rotting and make the wood sound again, as Tom alluded to and I have heard good reports on some of them but have not personally used any. Some of the wood in those pictures looks like a good candidate for the suggested product, but the framing to the lower right in that picture looks like most of the wood is gone and so will be very lacking in strength. I would replace it for structural reasons.

That is what I was afraid of...there are 3 pieces (those you mentioned) that I will remove, but there is one that would take alot more work to get to. That is the one my question was geared towards.....not sure I can get any "cure" to it either. If the rot continues, then I presume it will also infect and spread to any good wood along that wall? I think the only "right way" to fix it is to remove the exterior sheeting and remove it all but I'm not sure I have the patients or ability without doing more damage....its getting cold outside and I think I will have to wait till spring now.

mel s · 10-30-2014, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKP Kirk

Dry rot is so called because once it has begun it will continue until all bad wood has been removed.

SKP Kirk
It has been my experience that that is true ONLY if/when the wood is not dried out or if a leak has not been fixed.
Mel
'96 Safari

nomadutah · 10-30-2014, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mel s

SKP Kirk
It has been my experience that that is true ONLY if/when the wood is not dried out or if a leak has not been fixed.
Mel
'96 Safari

The wood feels dry best as I can tell.....the leak was addressed from what I was told. No sign of mold either by sight or smell.....just wood rot.

keymastr · 10-31-2014, 07:58 PM

If it is dry and the leak has been addressed then I would tend to leave it alone. You may eventually have to remove the siding and replace it but you may not. It will not cost you anything to wait it out. If it was still leaking or wet then different answer.

nomadutah · 11-02-2014, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keymastr

If it is dry and the leak has been addressed then I would tend to leave it alone. You may eventually have to remove the siding and replace it but you may not. It will not cost you anything to wait it out. If it was still leaking or wet then different answer.

Replaced about 90% of it.........chipped or cut out what I could reach and added wood around those I could not get to for replacement....
Paneling replaced on the shower side, still have the area over the sink to finish up, and then a coat of sealer and paint.

Smokie · 11-14-2014, 02:40 PM

Try some water thin 2 part epoxy on the rotted wood that you can't easily get to. Make sure that the wood is bone dry and soak the wood as much as possible. I think I bought it on Amazon several years ago.