Fix rotten wood the ugly way?

[andreascarlsson]

Suppose you have some rotten wood on a non-load-bearing part, like the example in the picture.

Instead of doing it the right way (i.e., replacing the entire piece of wood or cutting and fixing up a fresh part to fit in), isn't there some good wood filler or something that can be smeared on, which also halts the decay process?

The background is that we have some boards in the fence on our patio that have started to rot quite a bit at the bottom, and it's quite a lot of work to replace them...

/when it’s not so important, you can afford to be lazy

 

[Testarn]

You can only stop rot by removing what has rotted and then drying out what remains before replacing what was removed.
If you want to try a temporary (and it will be temporary) solution, it is possible to use plastic wood but be sure to scrape off the paint and let the wood dry as much as possible before filling and repainting.

 

[fribygg]

Instead of doing it the right way (i.e. replacing the entire timber or cutting and fixing up a fresh part and fitting it), is there no good wood filler or something that can be smeared on, which also stops the decay process?

No

 

[Intet]

It is also possible to splash linseed oil on the whole thing when it is dry. Repeat until it is saturated, and it will last a long time.
I did so on a panel board, and that was thirty years ago.

 

[cpalm]

If it is an exposed area, my experience is that various types of filler material unfortunately tend to accelerate the decay process, as it becomes too dense and prevents the wood from drying out.

 

[Kardan79]

Saw off and replace smaller parts?

 

[Chokladmonster]

There are no shortcuts here, I would rather say that a shortcut accelerates the process instead of solving the problem. Now the picture is taken very close, but from what you describe it sounds like something you do in an afternoon.

 

[andreascarlsson]

Thank you for all the answers! 👍
As I suspected, but it doesn't make it more fun... 😆

 

[Thomas_Blekinge]

Saw off everything ugly, brush on some oil, and look happy. You can fix things when you don't have more important things to do. Ugly-fixing is just a waste of time and money.
Declare it as a cat flap.

 

[Bjober]

The fact that it has rotted is proof that it has been too moist. Rotten wood also absorbs even more water more easily, becoming like a sponge. This exposes other wood further into the construction to more moisture and the risk of fungal attacks. If you don't want/can't replace the entire board, cut out the damaged part and splice in new. Better ugly than dangerous. And try to keep the moisture away.