sealing wet wood

[suzukidave]

Hi guys, not strictly a boating question but one where there may be a boating solution. I need a suggestion for a caulking/sealant that will adhere to damp painted fir.<br /><br />I've got an old house with a roofed veranda out back with the roof supported by 4x4 fir posts that are clad with 6 1/2" wide 3/4" fir boards to make them look bigger. There is a gap inside between the boards and the post with spacers. At the top of each post is a decorative wood "capital" trim that was caulked at the top to prevent rain water from above getting into the whole thing. This caulk has failed. Rain got in this winter, and some of the wood cladding and trim got wet enough from the inside that it expanded and the joints are popping. <br /><br />The wood cladding will probably take forever to dry out, but I want to try that approach instead of tearing it all off. To do that I need to seal the top where the water gets in and stop the source but the wood up there is pretty wet. Can I seal it with some kind of marine sealant that will adhere to damp painted fir, or do I need to tear off these unique old decorative capitals to dry them out? I do not trust any hardware store caulking products for this but thought maybe someone could think of a marine product.<br /><br />thanks

 

[chiefmike58]

Re: sealing wet wood

Silicone should do the job.

 

[crab bait]

Re: sealing wet wood

try the silicone but experiment first.. alot of polyuethane products require moisture for it to work .. keep asking...

 

[JB]

Re: sealing wet wood

Howdy, SuzukiDave.<br /><br />I hate to be the bearer of ill tidings, but if you don't get it completely dry you will have the roof around your neck. <br /><br />Strip the cladding off and give the 4X4 a chance to dry, and to show that it has not begun to rot. Only after it is dry and still rot free should you reclad it and reseal it. Otherwise replace it completely with pressure treated 4X4, no cladding.<br /><br />Good luck.