Repairing rot in exterior timber support

Belenus

Hello, the timber support for the awning outside our front door has developed rot in two places near the base.

The rot extends about 3 cm into the side section in the 3rd photo.

What is the best method to rectify this?

Should I strip the paint from the lower section and use an external wood repair or filler to fill the holes and then repaint?

Do I need to let the wood dry before doing that as it does feel slightly damp.

What is the best repair/filler or should I do something different.

Thanks

FreeBear

I'd hazard a guess that it is softwood - Any attempt to clean and repair is only going to be a short term fix and will only extend the life of the post by a couple of years. A longer term fix would be to cut the rotting section out and splice a new bit of timber in. Perhaps using something like oak for the lower 300mm or so..

Replacing the post with a steel would last longer if it is coated with a suitable zinc primer (shot blasted first).

jennifernil

The paint does need to go.  You could try a repair using Ronseal wood hardener and exterior filler, but I would cut off the bottom a bit and fit a post shoe.

End grain softwood straight onto a flat surface that is frequently wet is a poor design.

I would see if you can strip off all the paint and instead use a breathable finish which is also a preservative, it comes in colours these days......look at Sadolin or Jotun Demidekk

Bendy_House

Surely perfectly repairable.

The one product not yet mentioned is timber rot treatment.

I'd strip the paint from all the affected area, and a bit beyond - you gotta let the timber dry out. Also cut away all rotted timber with a chisel.

Allow to dry in this nice weather. Then liberally brush/spray on a good quality timber rot killer. Soak and soak and soak, until it doesn't draw in any more. Perhaps even form a raised ridge on the brickwork using plasticine or similar, and fill it with treatment so's the bottom of the post is left soaking in it. Allow to dry. Apply wood hardener if needed. Fill with a 2-pack epoxy wood filler. Sand smooth.

Or, as said above, prop the canopy and cut that rotted bottom section right off. Slip in a wider replacement, ideally hardwood, joining the two with a decor moulding to blend in with the style - it'll look better too. Perhaps replicate the new moulding at the top to improve the looks there too.

Murmansk

Just by way of reassurance, in case you think that the post is like an Accro prop holding up the entire weight of the roof above, I had a similar situation and removed the bottom section of post entirely for a few days while I was working on it - it didn't collapse or move at all. 

FreeBear

Murmansk said:

Just by way of reassurance, in case you think that the post is like an Accro prop holding up the entire weight of the roof above, I had a similar situation and removed the bottom section of post entirely for a few days while I was working on it - it didn't collapse or move at all. 

To be safe, it is worth hiring an Acro for a week - They don't cost much, and it is a safety issue as much as anything else - That appears to be a tiled roof, so there will be quite a bit of unsupported weight when the post is removed.

Bendy_House

I agree with FB - it's not only just not worth the very huge risk, but, even if it didn't collapse, it would still very likely sag a bit, so getting a replacement piece in there to restore it to its original height would still require a prop of some sort.

But, if the rot has really only gone in 2 or 3 cms, that is fixable.

stuart45

You would have to know how it was constructed to say if it was safe without the post. Would also help as to the best place for support was. 
Some timber on top of the acro would help prevent any damage.

plumb1_2

You can buy these post made from solid plastic, a company in Yorkshire make them.

Spinybif

In exactly same situation 15 years ago, fitted one of these.  Post is still solid