Subject: (Column Rot - Recommendations?)
Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2000Thanks for your response. The actual column structure is a little difficult to explain. Lying on the concrete floor is a square 1.5 inches high and 10 inches per side being 3 inch think per side so it is hollow in the middle. On top of that rests a round base about 8 inches in diameter and two inches high that is solid. The columns rest on the top of that and they are hollow. The rot is in the 10 inch square base. However, the round base is damp, although not rotting. The whole area seems damp and has been for some time. There doesn't seem to be any water coming in from the roof as I drilled some holes by the top of the column to check things out there.
I hope this helps. And thanks in advance for your advice.
Doug P.
Doug,
Okay, thanks...you've made it clear for me.
Concrete absorbs and then releases moisture, so it is always a water-trap. When you put wood in contact with it, then you have potential problems. The fact that the base is hollow adds to the problem, since it serves as an oxygen supply and heat oven for the surrounding wood.
Anyway, if you can dry that base wood, or wait until it is dry, then you can soak it with CPES (Clear penetrating Epoxy Sealer) and restore considerable compressive strength to the deteriorated wood. And it's compressive strength you're after. Following that, depending on what you are looking at, you can add either our Layup & Laminating Resin for greater strength, or go directly to our Epoxy Filler to fill vacant spaces. This dries just off-white and is tremendously strong. It will bond with the CPES-treated wood.
I guess I would also drill access holes to the inside of the base, allow some dry-time, and then using an aerosol spray or a spray bottle, spray-flood the inside of the base with CPES. This will give you added protection against future wood deterioration.
For the hollow columns I would certainly dry the bases, remove the paint in the wet area, and then treat the surface with the CPES. Again, if you want to take the trouble, you could drill in access to the interior and spray-saturate with the CPES. The drill holes can be closed with the Epoxy Filler, sanded smooth, and painted.
Come on back if you have further questions. We'll help in any way we can.
Doc