Subject: rot (Sill Plate)
Date: Thu, 13 May 1999

Sir,
I have a house that's over 100 years old. The sill plate is rotted about 1/2 way in on a 6 X 6 beam from the outside. The inside of the sill is in good condition. I read about the product CPES and I'm rather relieved that I won't need to replace all the sill. I do have some spots that need to be replaced, and other spots that have hollow areas, what products and procedures do you recommend that will cure my problems? Also, if I plan to sell the house in 5 or 10 years, will it pass a home inspection using this product?

Thank you,

Stan S.

Stan,

CPES uses rotted and deteriorated wood as a matrix to flow into and then harden. Basically, the areas of the wood that were eaten by the rot fungi or bacteria are epoxy-filled. And the epoxy will be there forever. The wood must be reasonably dry and if the rot is deep or inaccessible then downward sloping access holes will need to be drilled. CPES is very thin and is not a filler.

If there are vacancies inside the rotted wood, then step #2 is to follow the CPES (after about a week of CPES cure-time) with an infusion of the Layup & Laminating Resin. This is a very slow setting epoxy resin that settles into holes and vacancies. It cures hard in 24 hours. Several applications may be necessary to be sure all vacancies are filled. The best way to put into access holes or cracks is to use a kitchen baster -- mix the resin, pour it into the baster, and then use the rubber bulb to inject.

Following the L&L Resin, you may wish to do a final fill and cover with the Fill-It Epoxy Filler. This is a creamy white epoxy paste that will hang in cracks and holes and can be sanded smooth after a 24 hr cure time.

That's the basic process, with variances depending on particular situations you are looking at. All of these products bond together for a strong and permanent final repair. The longevity of epoxy is indefinite and wood treated carefully will pass home inspections. These same products are used by the State of California for repairs to the San Juan Baptista Mission and the Hearst Castle, and are currently being used by the US Navy for housing repair in the Seattle area.

The material is available directly from us and we ship daily. Come back if I can answer further questions.

Doc