Damage to interior window sill

[Antje]

Good afternoon, Bunnings Community, 

My have interior window frames made of timber. I believe they have been finished with a varnish, which is starting to peel off. I understand that I need to sand off the varnish and simply reapply it. However, I wanted to run a couple of pictures past you that show discoloration, as I am wondering if the timber has been damaged and requires any repair before I simply re-varnish? 

Kind regards

Antje 

  

[JacobZ]

Hi @Antje,

To test whether the damage is more severe, you can take a flathead screwdriver and poke it into the affected timber. If it is rotten, the timber will be soft and spongy, and the screwdriver will likely poke through.

I can only go off your photos, but the water damage does not appear to be too severe. I suspect it is likely due to water condensing on the windows during cold weather, then running down to the window sill and soaking through the seams into the timber.

If you test the timber with a screwdriver and find that it is rotten, minor damage can be treated using Wood Hardener, but if the damage is severe, it may mean cutting out a section of the sill and replacing it, or replacing the whole sill.

Give this test a try and let me know what you find. I am happy to assist further if necessary.

Jacob

[Antje]

Hi @JacobZ, 

Thank you! I have tested the timber as per your suggestion, and it is hard; so no rotting. Phew  

I will be doing lots of sanding next week 🙃 

Thank you again! 

Kind regards

Antje