Water damage on veneer window sills can cause paint to peel up and the wood to rot, so you should know how to repair water damaged veneer window sill. A veneer is a sheet of precisely thinned material ranging from wood to plastic ones. Wooden veneer window sill looks good in houses and is still present in modern structures.
Veneer wood, like any other wooden material, is also susceptible to water damage. It can range from minor stains to wood rotting, which is terrible for your window sills.
Water damage in window sills can also result in loss of structural integrity of your window, which is a more problematic issue later on. Aside from cleaning the wood, you have to learn how to fix it properly to avoid further problems.
Steps For Repairing Water Damaged Veneer Window Sill
Water damage on veneer window sills is unattractive and destructive at the same time. This warrants a fast and appropriate action to prevent further damage and losses.
Before any repairs, make sure that you have detected the water damaged areas first. With that, here’s all you need to know and do to repair a water damaged veneer window sill.
Step #1. Assessment
The first to do is to assess and evaluate the extent of damage in the veneer window sill. In doing so, you can decide if you can still repair it or if it requires replacement.
If the damage is new and not much embedded in the window sill, you can fix it and if it’s beyond redemption. Then, maybe it’s time to replace your window sill.
Step #2. Prepare the tools
Having the appropriate tools for the job makes the job easier. With that in mind, we proceed to preparation. This involves procurement of tools and equipment and as well as preparing the workspace.
Step #3. Clean out the window sill
Now that you are prepared and decided on what to do, it’s finally time to start the actual repair process. Clean out the window sill from dust and dirt. It would be better to vacuum the dust and dirt to avoid further damaging the window sill.
It would be best to dry the window sill from any water moisture. Wipe the surface out till it’s dry. After drying, it’s time to scrape the paint off the water-damaged portion of the window sill.
After scraping the paint, proceed to remove softened parts on the window sill. Softened parts are due to water seeping inside the window sill’s interior and causing integrity loss, damaging the material. Use a small wood chisel or a flathead screwdriver in removing the softened parts.
Step #4. Sanding and patching
After cleaning out the window sill and removing the damaged part, the next step in the repair process is to sand the damaged part. Use fine-grit sandpaper to remove rough surfaces and remaining paint on the window sills.
Sand the surface till the damaged part is smooth as possible. Sanding the window sill and the damaged part will help you later with applying the wood epoxy and the paint once you finish with your repair procedure.
Step #5. Apply wood primer
Start to mix your epoxy wood primer in a disposable container. Follow the instructions on the wood primer on the mixing and application process. The mixing of an epoxy wood primer may vary with each manufacturer.
Start to apply your primer with a single thin coat. You should wait for the primer to set and dry for a minimum of ten minutes before proceeding.
Step #6. Filling out holes
After applying your wood primer, the next step is to prepare and lay your wood fillers. Mix the epoxy wood filler according to the manufacturer’s instructions in a disposable container. With a putty knife, apply the stuffing into the window sills to remove damaged portions.
Scrape excess and create a smooth surface. Leave the filler for a while and let it dry.
Step #7. Finish up
After filling and applying the filler and primer, it’s time to finish up. In the process of finishing up, sanding is the first step to work into. Use fine-grit sandpaper to smoothen the surface and remove the excess filler and rough areas.
Remove any irregularities and wipe the dust and excess with a rag cloth. Prime the window sill with an oil-based primer and repaint the window sill with two coats of exterior paint. Exterior paint will help prevent any more water damage on your window sill in the future.
Now you are done with the repair procedure. You can now proceed to repair your window sill from now on.
Is it better to replace or repair the damaged window sill?
Deciding whether a repair or replacement is necessary will primarily depend on the extent of damage your veneer window sill has sustained. If the water damage is deemed to penetrate the interior of the wooden window sill and the repair is much more costly than getting a replacement, then it would be best to replace it.
However, if the damage is only a minor one, then you can opt for repair. Repair and replacement mainly depend on your judgment and desire.
What treatment can prevent water damage on veneers?
There are various treatments available for water damage depending on the material you are working on. On a wooden veneer window sill, primer and paint would be the best.
Just try to select an outdoor type of paint or exterior paint for the paint application to ensure waterproofing is included. Sealant and coats with a waterproofing purpose are all that you would want to preserve a wooden veneer window sill to avoid getting water damage.
Conclusion
Now that you’ve seen the steps on how to repair water damaged veneer window sill with this tutorial, we hope you can do your repair successfully and continue to do so. If there is still something that you are unsure of, you can always consult your local carpenter and experts on woodwork.