sealing rotting wood ?

Converting Cargo Trailers into TTTs

sealing rotting wood ?

Postby jwhite » Thu Jul 26, 2018 4:57 pm

I found out I had a leak in the Vnose of my trailer and it has began rotting the wood floor.
I have been running a heater to dry it out and will be placing a 3/4 inch plywood floor over the affected area.
this is where I have my toilet I am sure it will be very sturdy for the little walking in this spot.
I am wondering about using something like clear window caulk or another rubber like product to cover over these wood spots, maybe with a puddy knife before I put down the plywood.
any suggestions or product recommending?
I will use something to seal on the top of the trailer where the water is coming in also,
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Re: sealing rotting wood ?

Postby QueticoBill » Thu Jul 26, 2018 6:02 pm

QB
A tear with no name: viewtopic.php?f=50&t=67624
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Re: sealing rotting wood ?

Postby crpngdth2001 » Thu Jul 26, 2018 6:03 pm

To be honest, I’d cut out the damaged area back to the first crossmember that has clean wood, and replace instead of cover up. Cut down the center of the beam to leave something to support the new piece.


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Re: sealing rotting wood ?

Postby mikeschn » Thu Jul 26, 2018 6:18 pm

Without photos it's hard to say. if the rot is minor, I agree with the above post and check out the rot doctor. If the damage is major, you'll have to replace the wood.

Either way, sealing it up will be be important, and you want to either use the mix (GPW's mix) or CPES from the rot doctor!

Mike...
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Re: sealing rotting wood ?

Postby tony.latham » Thu Jul 26, 2018 8:02 pm

Is it plywood or OSB?

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Re: sealing rotting wood ?

Postby McDave » Thu Jul 26, 2018 11:25 pm

If the damage is limited to 1 or 2-ish plys deep you can cut it out and use bondo or Dura- glass on the area after removing all the rot. If the rot goes through you could it cut back to solid wood and patch from the bottom with a larger piece then fill in with wood and an epoxy type product.( Bondo, Duraglass, JB, etc.) If she'll hold till winter, maybe best to replace that entire sheet.

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Re: sealing rotting wood ?

Postby Shadow Catcher » Fri Jul 27, 2018 7:55 pm

I will second Rot doctor CPES from first hand experience!
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Re: sealing rotting wood ?

Postby Tomterrific » Sun Jul 29, 2018 8:59 am

I was a marina service manager in the mid 70's. We had an epoxy product that would be poured into rot damaged areas. It penetrated well and the old wood fibers gave it strength. What you need is a thin product that penitrates and hardens. You might even get away with thinned polyurethane.

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Re: sealing rotting wood ?

Postby tony.latham » Sun Jul 29, 2018 10:25 am

I'm still wondering if this is real plywood or OSB plywood? I'm betting it's OSB that got wet and remains spongy and swollen. (And isn't rotting.)

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Re: sealing rotting wood ?

Postby jwhite » Sun Jul 29, 2018 11:40 am

Sorry for the delay but it looks like the slant front roof had a leak and was running down and depositing the water in the v nose floor.
after further inspection with a crow bar I ripped the rotting wood down to the frame and am going the let walls dry a couple more weeks.
I have cut a piece of 3/4 marine plywood that will cover and fix it.
the original floor was 1/2 inch plywood.
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Re: sealing rotting wood ?

Postby tony.latham » Sun Jul 29, 2018 12:05 pm

jwhite wrote:Sorry for the delay but it looks like the slant front roof had a leak and was running down and depositing the water in the v nose floor.
after further inspection with a crow bar I ripped the rotting wood down to the frame and am going the let walls dry a couple more weeks.
I have cut a piece of 3/4 marine plywood that will cover and fix it.
the original floor was 1/2 inch plywood.


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