Home Inspections • Thermal Imaging
TREC License # 7494
TREC License # 7494
DIY- Replacing Damaged Trim
Submitted by TimothyPope on Thu, 08/05/2010 - 20:08.
The trim around my kitchen window has been damaged since we bought the house and has gotten worse over the past few years. I finally remembered to buy some replacement trim and got this little repair taken care of this week. A bedroom window had a similar problem, so that trim got replaced too. Rotten trim is a common deferred maintenance item I find on houses when inspecting.
Time estimation: This job was just two 3 foot sections of trim to replace so it should have taken 3 hours (or less), with drying time (Unfortunately, this turned into a two day project with 3 trips to Lowes. I failed to take proper inventory before starting and having two small kids at home doesn’t quite promote productivity).
The trim around my kitchen window has been damaged since we bought the house and has gotten worse over the past few years. I finally remembered to buy some replacement trim and got this little repair taken care of this week. A bedroom window had a similar problem, so that trim got replaced too. Rotten trim is a common deferred maintenance item I find on houses when inspecting.
Time estimation: This job was just two 3 foot sections of trim to replace so it should have taken 3 hours (or less), with drying time (Unfortunately, this turned into a two day project with 3 trips to Lowes. I failed to take proper inventory before starting and having two small kids at home doesn’t quite promote productivity).
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Measure, cut, and prime the replacement trim boards.
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Cut the old trim caulk along the siding and window seams. Pry the damaged trim away.
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The next chore took the longest. Cleaning the old caulk away. I removed cracked caulk from all around the windows, which was likely the cause of the water penetration to begin with. The original installer had filled a one inch gap between the window and a piece of trim that I was not replacing. I eventually got it all out, but it would’ve been easier to have just removed ALL of the trim around this window for the sake of time. But, I had already invested in salvaging what was there and had only so much wood to reinstall. For these giant voids, I trekked back to Lowes and bought some backer rod. This is a foam, rope-like material you can caulk directly over. Most caulks just won’t hold up to filling such large gaps by themselves.
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Nail the new trim in place.
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Caulk all seams and joints. A finger dipped in water and run down the caulk lines can help leave a nice even and smooth surface.
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Allow caulk to dry and paint to match.
Materials:
1 x 4 board (your trim size may vary)
Caulk
Sealer
Paint & brushes
Backer Rod (to fill large gaps, before caulking)
1 x 4 board (your trim size may vary)
Caulk
Sealer
Paint & brushes
Backer Rod (to fill large gaps, before caulking)
Tools:
Hammer
Nails
Pry bar (wonder bar)
Caulk removal tool
Caulk gun
Razor blade knife
Hammer
Nails
Pry bar (wonder bar)
Caulk removal tool
Caulk gun
Razor blade knife
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Damaged trim at kitchen window
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Caulk removal tool
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Backer rod is available in different sizes
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Primed trim is nailed in place
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Caulked and painted
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Finished product
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