Repairs: joinery, doors and kitchens

One of the main problems encountered is components dating from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s that are prone to decay due to moisture entrapment, which is, in turn, caused by poor detailing of the timber components originally. Often this means that items such as glazing beads have no bevelled edge or fall, to drain and discharge water away. Water then sits on the flat timber surfaces or drains down into the end grain at joints, rapidly accelerating decay.

Correct detailing would have been fairly cheap and easy to do when the component was manufactured, and is presumably omitted either out of laziness or with a view to saving a few pennies at the point of manufacture.

Similar problems arise in the modern 'Tudorbethan' house with lots of plywood and stained softwood cladding; water will sit on any square edge it can find, with obvious consequences.

Solution 1

It may be possible to apply timber beads or quadrants to help drain water off the top edge – perhaps bedded in a clear mastic in order to seal the bead/joint and prevent moisture becoming entrapped behind.

Alternatively, the bead could be bedded in using 2-pack polymer resin.

Solution 2

It may be possible to strike a bevel along the top edge of the timber. However, the tools required to strike a bevelled fall onto the square edges safely or conveniently are probably only owned by a high-class joiner, so this solution may not always be cost-effective.

Wielding a high-speed router at height on a ladder is not recommended.