How to Repair a Rotting Porch Railing
- Remove the Rotten Board. Remove the board and examine the extent of the rot. ...
- Drill Holes in the Board. The wood must be thoroughly dry before going any further. ...
- Coat with Wood Hardener. Coat the surrounding area and into the holes with the wood hardener. ...
- Screw in Some Long Screws. ...
- Mix up Wood Filler. ...
- Sand the Rail. ...
- Prime and Paint the Rail. ...
Full Answer
How do you fix a rotted rail on a porch?
Remove the board and examine the extent of the rot. If the rot is extensive and involves the whole railing, you will need to replace the whole rail, but if it is just the end or a small area is affected this method will work for you. Remove any loose rotted wood that is crumbly or very soft.
How do you stiffen a porch rail post?
If your rail posts are mounted to the interior of the frame, you can add strength to the rail by installing blocking around the post to trap the post in a pocket. If your railing posts are connected to the outside of the frame, you can try to tighten the bolts and install blocking to the rim joist to stiffen the rail.
Why is it important to take care of your porch railing?
It gives a first impression that lasts so keeping it in good condition is important. A rotting porch railing is also a safety concern. Time and moisture can cause the wood railings and posts to rot, making it important to check the railings regularly. It is not hard to repair small rotting sections of the railing with only a few tools.
Why is my porch rail rotting at the bottom?
Water running down the porch corner posts and spindles attached to it collects at the bottom rail. The rail's end grain wicks moisture into the rail and the spindle also wicks moisture up into itself, holding it against the bottom rail. This double whammy of moisture will rot the bottom rail from the side and the top!
How do I fix my porch railing?
0:073:24Tommy and Nathan Repair a Porch Railing | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWell the homeowner wants to tighten a few things up around the house. So we're going to start withMoreWell the homeowner wants to tighten a few things up around the house. So we're going to start with this lower railing right here as you can see extensive damage to the lower part.
How do you repair a wooden railing?
0:081:56How to Repair a Handrail - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd pull it together with a 75 mil galvanized screw using construction adhesive in a caulking gun i'MoreAnd pull it together with a 75 mil galvanized screw using construction adhesive in a caulking gun i'm going to fill the miter joint. And pull it. Together. Now when you pull the joint.
How do you repair a rotted deck rail?
Rails often split or crack and sometimes get patches of rot or decay. You have a few options for fixing this type of damage. You can overlay them, clamp them with glue or patch them up with resin. Don't replace old porch rails if you can fix them for a fraction of the cost.
How do you replace a front porch railing?
0:009:46Replacing Old Porch and Deck Railing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn this video i want to show you how i replace railing and balusters on an old porch i'm going to beMoreIn this video i want to show you how i replace railing and balusters on an old porch i'm going to be ripping out the old one and putting in new. Ones. Here's some shots of the porch beforehand.
How do you repair a wooden porch spindle?
6:239:15Replace Balusters On A Deck Or Porch Railing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo it's smooth I will use the copper base preservative. Here again. And then prime over that whenMoreSo it's smooth I will use the copper base preservative. Here again. And then prime over that when you're using that copper base preservative make sure you use stainless steel nails or screws.
How do you fix rotted wood without replacing it?
Wood fillers are products such as Bondo and Minwax that are designed to be all-purpose fillers for gaps, holes, and rotted wood. Their application is simple, they cure quickly, and they're not supposed to shrink once dry.
Can rotting wood be saved?
When you come across rotted wood in your old house projects, instead of replacing the damaged wood, you also can repair it with specialty epoxy penetrants (also called consolidants) and fillers to make repairs. Not only is this faster, but the fixed wood is stronger than the original.
How do you fix wet rotted wood?
To help the wood hardener penetrate deeper, drill small holes into the rotten area. It's worth drilling holes in the area that's slightly beyond the rotten wood to ensure the rot doesn't spread. Once you've removed the crumbling wood, use a wet rot wood hardener and apply it to the wood with a paintbrush.
Can you replace a wood porch railing?
Installing Porch Railing Kits Cut the marks with a saw and attach the brackets to each end with a drill. Using the wood pieces you cut from the rail, cut two pieces to 3 7/8 inches to use as spacers to prop up the rail. Put a level on top of the railing to ensure it's flat and attach it to the end of the post.
What is the best material for porch railings?
Vinyl and aluminum are both excellent choices for your new railing. However, you might also consider the other options available on today's market, including wood or wrought iron. Many homeowners choose wood railings for a rustic look; however, it's worth noting that vinyl can mimic the look of wood.
How do you replace a porch railing and post?
0:0212:55Replace Porch Columns (Porch Posts / Porch Columns / Use ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou should always have a structural engineer tell you that it's okay to use a certain type of columnMoreYou should always have a structural engineer tell you that it's okay to use a certain type of column in a certain situation a lot of them are very standard. But nobody carpenters.
How do you repair a wooden banister?
3:109:32How to Repair Broken Stair Balusters | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then we'll apply glue to the break. Set it in this jig which will keep it nice and square we'llMoreAnd then we'll apply glue to the break. Set it in this jig which will keep it nice and square we'll clamp it up and then we'll let it. Set. So this baluster was glued up yesterday.
How do you fix a loose wooden banister?
4:026:01How to Tighten a Loose Newel Post | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll right let's start. Again. All right micah you're up to tighten up this railing we're going toMoreAll right let's start. Again. All right micah you're up to tighten up this railing we're going to use six inch structural screws. Down just a little bit there you. Go.
How do you reenforce a railing?
0:473:26How To Fix A WOBBLY Handrail - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then I bring it sand it down bring it here mount it to the wall like I did right here and then IMoreAnd then I bring it sand it down bring it here mount it to the wall like I did right here and then I'm gonna mount this bracket to it and then this is going to become rock solid.
How do you fix rotted wood on a deck?
5 Steps to Repair Wood RotGather tools and materials.Remove rotten boards Use a 5-in-1 rasp, chisel, or claw hammer to remove the rotted areas of wood. ... Apply wood hardener, filler, or epoxy If minor damaged wood cannot be easily replaced, wood hardener, filler or epoxy may help strengthen the damaged area.More items...•
Where is the decaying bottom rail on a porch?
Another prime spot for decay is the bottom rail, particularly at the porch corners. Water running down the porch corner posts and spindles attached to it collects at the bottom rail. The rail's end grain wicks moisture into the rail and the spindle also wicks moisture up into itself, holding it against the bottom rail.
Where is decay found on porch railings?
The lower portion of a porch railing is where much of the decay can be found.
What grit sanding pad do I use for railings?
I go to my Feintool Multimaster and sanding pad attachment to quickly remove loose paint on any railing pieces I plan to re-use. The sanding pads come in boxes of 50 in all grits. I use 60, 80, or 120 grit to remove paint on these pieces. These Velcro attached pads are relatively long lived, but their most valuable feature is the ability to rotate the pad to help with difficult corners.
What is a porch made of?
Older porches are often made out of western red cedar -a naturally warp and rot resistant (never rot proof) wood grown in North America. This is a good choice of material, yet many porch railings are constructed by quick moving builders who do not take the extra time to make the little adjustments that will allow rain, snow melt, and dew to drain properly.
What kind of saw do I need to repair a cedar spindle?
You will need a miter saw for this repair. For spindle cutting, it does not need to be the costliest machine available. What I am using here is a 10" Dewalt compound miter saw, generally a solid cutting tool. You may also use the smaller 7.25-8.5 inch bladed models. This part of the repair can even be done with a hand-powered miter saw! After all, western red cedar is fairly soft and easy to cut. Your blade should be sharp and, if you cut slowly, a 40 tooth blade will work just fine.
What happens when rotted wood is pressed?
Rotted wood is soft, sometimes crumbly, sometimes green with algae, and sometimes even releases moisture when pressed. This is quite likely to happen where the spindles meet the bottom rail, particularly at porch corners where they receive rain from two sides. A spindle's end grain will wick moisture up into the wood.
How to protect bottom rail?
To protect the bottom rail, you can use the oscillating cutter to slice through these brads. The top board, typically a 2x4, is usually connected to the spindles with phillips head screws. These should be easily removed with a cordless drill and phillips bit. I do not expect the top board to need to be replaced.
Steps
1. Creating the jig. Draw your pattern full scale on a sheet of plywood, and then cut spacer blocks and tack them into place along your pattern. In this way you simply need to lay in your spindles and nail your top and bottom rails in place, with no need for repetitive measuring.
Patch Rotted Porch Slats
Home repair expert Henry Harrison shows a homeowner how to patch a bad section at the end of her porch slats.
What is the best way to join boards on a porch?
On a porch with changes of direction (for example, on a verandah that turns a corner and continues on a second side of the house), cut the boards where they meet along a diagonal. There are two classic join patterns: miter joints (shown at top) and herringbone joints (bottom).
What to document before rebuilding a porch?
Before beginning any restoration or rebuilding, it’s worthwhile to document existing joinery and spacing details with photographs and/or a sketch that includes measurements on all components, even when the parts are beyond saving. What’s left may provide clues to construction techniques that gave the porch its initial long life.
How thick is a porch floor?
Historically, porch floorboards were milled from vertical grain 5⁄4″ tongue-and-groove Douglas fir, which meant they were fully 1″ thick. The ends were often shaped in a half-round bullnose by an onsite carpenter, the better to shed water. After World War II, board thicknesses shrank to ¾”, and the ends were typically square-cut, both compromises in terms of the expected lifespan of the wood.
What is a good porch?
A good porch starts with good footings. While the earliest porches were built on large stones set deep into the ground or full masonry piers of fieldstone or brick, contemporary building codes call for footers of poured concrete.
Why ventilate skirting under porch?
Ventilation is crucial for preventing dampness, which can attract wood-eating insects and encourage decay. “You want the bugs to crawl in,” says Andrew Curtis, an exterior restoration specialist, “and you want them to crawl back out.”. It is crucial to ventilate skirting underneath porches to avoid decay.
What are the elements that make up a porch?
If not kept in good repair using water-resistant materials and strategically applied coats of paint, the key elements of a porch—floors, framing, posts, railings, and decorative elements —will deteriorate quickly.
What is the most common area for rot damage on an old porch?
Deck framing is the most common area for rot damage on an old porch. Before about 1860, deck frames were often built of large logs called “sleepers.”. These sturdy logs were hewn flat on one or two sides, with one of the flat side facing up to act as floor joists.
