How to restore dry rot on timber door frame?

[dmarty]

Half of the edging on my front door frame appears to have some mild dry rot.

Only the wooden edging on the lower half is affected. The upper half is fine. The upper portion of the post and inner post/edging are ok. See attached pictures. Should I:

1. Restore and then paint using something like Earl's 250ml Wood Hardener?

2. Or replace the entire wood strip?

Thank you!

[JacobZ]

Hi @dmarty,

Thank you for your question.

Does it feel soft?

Like if you took a screwdriver and poked it, it would punch through?

It certainly looks a bit weathered, but it doesn't look like deeper rot to me. Nothing jumps out to me that would indicate it needs to be replaced. 

If you test it for softness and you are confident it is rotten like you suspect, then you would want to treat it with Earl's Wood Hardener, allow it to soak for 24 hours, then give it a light sand with some 120 Grit Timber and apply a coat of varnish.

If it is just weathered and the varnish has degraded over time, but the timber is still solid, I would just sand it with 120 grit and then apply some varnish.

Either way, there doesn't appear to be a need to remove and replace it.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

[dmarty]

Hi @JacobZ

Thanks for the reply. To answer your questions:

Does it feel soft?

No, It feels more dried out. Maybe from the sun. 

Like if you took a screwdriver and poked it, it would punch through?

No, I don't think a screw driver would poke through. 

As you said, its probably weathered. I will give it a sand and apply a coat of the varnish you mentioned!

[EricL]

HI @dmarty 

Please keep us updated with your progress, we look forward to seeing the timber frame repaired.

If you need further assistance, please let usknow.

Eric