How to repair rotten balcony timber?

[SunFlowerOcean]

Hi, I would appreciate some help please - to get my head around on what needs to be done and what products might help. And if you could recommend someone who could potentially do the work, that would help too.

The wood on balcony sides (eaves?) got rotten a bit. There is also a vertical gap where the left panel meets the front one.

I'd like to fix those wood issues and the gap so I can repaint those surfaces.

My current thinking is to use a wood hardener and then to fill the rotten parts with a wood filler. On the corner part, I think I would need to use a filler that I could squeeze into that gap. Is there any that I might put in a caulking gun, or something similar, as hand filling won't work I think?

Is it even worth repairing or better to get the panels off and put new ones somehow?

Thanks for any thoughts, ideas and recommendations!

 

 

  

  

 

[Jason]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @SunFlowerOcean. We’re pleased to have you join us.

Our resident Bunnings D.I.Y. experts will be back on the site on Boxing Day. Let me tag some other members  to see if they can kick off the discussion in the meantime: @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @AlanM52.

Jason

[Nailbag]

Hi @SunFlowerOcean 

Due to the structural nature of those timbers and the severe condition of the rot, I would highly recommend replacement over any form of patch repair. This includes the corner posts/s of the balustrade. 

The process for replacement is an advance one requiring temporary structural supports etc. Thats assuming any part of the balcony is salvageable.

Local "registered" builders would be the best trades to contact. They won't be on deck for a few weeks now and expect a delay in both getting quotes and having the work done.

In the meantime you may want to consider temporary prop timbers and/or avoid using the balcony. If your unable to do this type of work, a local carpenter or handyman could.

Merry Christmas.

Nailbag

[SunFlowerOcean]

Thank you @Nailbag and @Jason 

[Dave-1]

Good Morning Yeah its Christmas Day morning but way early @SunFlowerOcean 

When I saw the ends I was concerned, then the base of the posts. Plus we cant see whats underneath the skirts but I suspect the timber will be rotten.

Time for a builder/carpenter I would strongly suggest. The props that @Nailbag has mentioned is a very wise move, ensuring people do not lean on the rail at all for now would be a good second step.

I wouldnt class this as an easy repair, this is a replace sections and determine how far the deteriation has gone. 

Not great but you have caught it before someone has gone through it

Dave