If there's no problem with the lead, you can prepare and repaint with whatever you want. Again, make sure the wood is completely dry. You don't have to remove the paint, but you should scrape off any loose paint. Scrape the surface of the damaged wood with a metal spatula or similar scraper.
Remove any loose pieces of damaged wood, as well as any loose or flaking paint. Fill small holes in healthy wood with a filler for wood that can be painted and apply it with a spatula, says Danny Lipford. Allow the filling to dry as directed. It is always good to prime surfaces before painting on them.
You can use a shellac-based primer, an oil-based primer, or an alcohol-based primer. Avoid water-based ones because the wood will only absorb them. Moisture can easily cause wood to rot and crack, and a fresh coat of paint will do nothing to fix the problem. When water penetrates wood, it can cause the wood to expand and swell, as well as to deteriorate to the point of crumbling.
Therefore, painting over the problem will not solve it, it will only aggravate it. The paint won't be able to stick to wet, damaged wood, which means it won't look very good when you paint on it. Damaged wood must be repaired before re-varnishing it. Not only will the paint look bad when you apply it to the damage, but if the wood is damaged by water or decays severely, the paint won't adhere properly.
You can start by drying puddles of water with towels, but it's also a good idea to use a dehumidifier. Exterior wooden elements become vulnerable to water damage as soon as the paint or other protective finish begins to fail. For the most part, “losing your sight, losing your mind” isn't the best way to deal with potential structural damage to your home. Some articles circulating on the Internet will tell you that it's OK to do so, but the truth is that ignoring the real causes of wood damage can have significant consequences.
The objectives are to smooth the wood, remove loose paint and prepare the surface to accept a new primer and paint. Termites eat and damage wood and can greatly reduce the structural integrity of your home if they are allowed to stay in the area. Contact a professional such as Five Star Painting, who can properly assess the damaged area and suggest how to repair it. The only way to solve the problem of termites is to find their epicenter and eliminate it so that they cannot proliferate and damage the foundations, walls or subfloors of the house.
Repairing minor water damage is more permanent and affordable than repairing major water damage. If you plan to sell your home eventually, an inspector may realize that you've simply covered the damage with paint. Before repairing damaged wood, you must find and eliminate the source of the leak, which could be a gutter or drain. If water damage is due to negligence and not to sudden events such as a broken pipe or a hurricane, you'll have to pay for the repairs yourself.
If walls, floors, and other structural areas are damaged by water, it's best to ask for professional help. One of the best ways to fill rotten wood is to use a wood hardener, a thin liquid preparation used to stabilize wood damaged by dry rot, as long as the wood is dry.
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