How to Repair Damaged Fascia

Because fascia boards rest on the most prominent edges of your home, it is common for them to become damaged from impacts. The primary job of the fascia on your house is to protect the roof and walls from moisture, so water damage is also incredibly common. Fascia is a prominent aesthetic element on most homes and it can rot or deteriorate if not cared for properly, so it is important to know how to repair damaged fascia. At Country Lumber, we sell a variety of different types and sizes of fascia and our experienced team is always ready to help you find what you need to complete your home repair job safely and efficiently.

How to Repair Damaged Fascia Boards

Since fascia boards sit at some of the highest points of your home, it is important to exercise extreme caution when replacing them. Extension ladders are not usually the best choice, as they cannot rest on the section of fascia being replaced. It is usually best to use scaffolding or a stepladder, if possible. The steps to fixing damaged fascia are as follows:

1.     Evaluate the Problem

Different types of damage will require different solutions.  In ideal cases, you might not need to actually replace the damaged fascia board. If the damage is small enough and rot has not yet set in, it is often possible to fix it with an epoxy filler. If the board has begun to rot, it is usually best to replace it.

2.     Put Up Brackets

Before removing the damaged fascia, it can be helpful to install angle brackets behind the boards. These brackets should rest against the existing fascia so that you can more easily install the new boards in the same position.

3.     Remove the Damaged Fascia Board

Removing old fascia boards can be a bit of a hassle in some cases, depending on their position and what kind of gutter system is being used. Disassemble and remove any gutters that are in front of the fascia being removed. Most fascia is nailed to the ends of rafters, so you will likely need a pry bar in order to get the fascia loose. Once the fascia is removed, check the rafters underneath for signs of rot and, if you find some, make sure you call a professional for help with what to do about rotting rafters.

4.     Install New Fascia Boards

If there are no signs of rot in your rafters under the fascia, you can now install a new fascia board. Mark the placement of rafters along the fascia with a pencil so that it is easier to nail the new board in place. Getting the fascia board in place might be a two-person job. Once the fascia is secured to the brackets, nail it to the underlying rafters. You are now ready to paint it and reinstall your gutters.

If you are interested in learning more about how to repair damaged fascia, or if you would like to find out about any of the other services and supplies available from Country Lumber, please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

How to Waterproof a Deck

Rebuilding a deck can be expensive and time consuming, so it is important to ensure that your deck lasts as long as possible. One of the biggest challenges for wooden decks in British Columbia is the massive amount of rain that we tend to receive. In order to combat this abundance of moisture, it can help to know how to waterproof a deck. At Country Lumber, we provide a massive variety of different decking products for both construction and maintenance and we can help you to ensure your deck looks fresh and finished for years to come.

Different Deck Waterproofing Products

Over time, the finish on a wooden deck can wear off due to foot traffic, sunlight, and moisture. When this happens, the deck can start to rot or mould, and it can also become discoloured and unattractive. There are various products that will help you to waterproof your deck, and the product you should use will depend on the finished look that you are hoping to achieve. Some of the different products for waterproofing or sealing a deck include:

·      Stain

·      Solid stain

·      Paint

·      Wood protectors/wood preservatives/wood treatment solutions

·      Timber oil

·      Waterproof sealer

Waterproofing Your Deck

Once you have selected your deck sealing solution, the steps to waterproofing the deck are as follows:

1.     Prepare the Area Around the Deck

Make sure that you clear off any old furniture, plants, or other obstacles from the deck before beginning. It is also important to cover any plants that are located close to the deck to ensure that none of the waterproofing materials can harm your garden.

2.     Wash the Deck

Using a pressure washer or a hose and scrub brush, clean off the surface of the deck. Make sure to remove any debris or grease that might be stuck to the deck’s surface. If you are using a pressure washer, do not hold the nozzle too close to the deck’s surface or you could damage the wood. Ensure that you get in between the boards when cleaning by using a small brush or scraping tool.

3.     Sand the Deck Surface

Use a sander with medium grit sandpaper to sand down the deck. It is most important to smooth out rough patches, but you can sand the whole surface to improve the deck’s receptiveness to the new waterproofing treatment.

4.     Apply the New Deck Waterproofing Solution

The application process will differ depending on what kind of deck waterproofer or sealant solution you are using. Many solutions will require you to apply numerous coats for best results. It is also good to observe whether you can use a sprayer or if you should use a brush. In most cases, you should use a stain brush and apply at least two coats, leaving 12-24 hours between coats and making sure to get in all the cracks. Inspect the instructions that come with your waterproofing solution or consult with a professional for more information.

If you are interested in learning more about how to waterproof a deck, or if you would like to find out about any of the other services and supplies available from Country Lumber, please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

How to Fix a Hole in Drywall

Most people that have worked with drywall will tell you that it can be messy and sometimes frustrating to work with, so it is important to have a good understanding of how to fix a hole in drywall before getting started on patching your wall up. At Country Lumber, we know that any drywall repair job can be simplified with the right equipment, which is why we provide a variety of drywall tools and products.

How to Patch Drywall

There are a couple of different ways to repair drywall and the method used will depend on the size of the hole being repaired.

How to Fill Small Drywall Holes

A small hole in drywall is usually caused by hardware or small accidents and they are typically no larger than 2 inches. Small drywall holes can be fixed using spackle or wood filler. To patch small holes, adhere to the following procedure:

1. Sand down the edges of the hole and remove debris.

2. Scoop a little bit of spackle or wood filler into the hole using a trowel or putty knife and flatten it out a bit. Spackle shrinks as it dries, so be liberal with the amount used.

3. Wait for the spackle to dry completely and sand it smooth.

How to Patch Medium Sized Holes in Drywall

Medium holes in drywall are often created by doorknobs or other similarly sized objects. To fix medium drywall holes, self-adhesive patches are typically used. The following steps can be used to fix medium-sized drywall holes:

1. Place the adhesive mesh patch over the hole in the wall.

2. Using a drywall knife, scoop drywall joint compound or spackle onto the patch and begin spreading it across the surface of the patch towards the edges.

3. Feather the edges of the joint compound or spackle to blend into the wall by increasing pressure at the edges of the patch.

4. Let the patch dry and sand it flat.

5. Apply a second coat by repeating steps 1-4. If the pattern of the mesh is still visible, add a third coat.

How to Repair Large Holes in Drywall

For large drywall holes, it is often necessary to cut a new piece of drywall. Large holes can occur from accidents where a person or piece of furniture makes a hole in the wall, or they can be made deliberately when there is water damage to the drywall. Purchase a strip of drywall that is larger than the hole, and follow these drywall repair steps:

1. Cut a square out of the new drywall that is a bit bigger than the hole being fixed.

2. Hold the square over the hole and trace the outline onto the wall with a pencil.

3. Cut out the square shape from the wall.

4. Use drywall screws to screw furring strips in place on the sides of the square hole so that the furring strips overlap the edges of the hole.

5. Screw the square patch to the furring strips.

6. Tape the edges of the patch with drywall tape.

7. Using a drywall knife, scoop drywall joint compound or spackle onto the patch and begin spreading it across the surface of the patch towards the edges.

8. Feather the edges of the joint compound or spackle to blend into the wall by increasing pressure at the edges of the patch.

9. Let the patch dry and sand it flat.

10. Apply a second coat by repeating steps 1-4. If the pattern of the drywall tape is still visible through the sanded spackle, add a third coat.

If you would like to learn more about how to fix a hole in drywall, or if you would like to find out about any of the services and supplies available from Country Lumber, please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Supplies for Abbotsford DIY Home Projects

If you are looking to enhance the look, function, and value of your Abbotsford home, there are a variety of home improvement projects that you can undertake. At Country Lumber, we provide a massive range of supplies for Abbotsford DIY home projects and other large-scale building jobs. If you are looking for a supplier of materials for your Fraser Valley home improvement work, we can get you what you are looking for.

Abbotsford DIY Home Improvement Supplies

With the right supplies, there are nearly endless different jobs that can be done to improve the quality of your home. Some of the most useful building supplies for Abbotsford DIYers include:

Shiplap and Tongue and Groove

If you are improving your home with any flat wooden surface, it is worth knowing where to find different types of shiplap and tongue and groove boards. Using these simple materials, you can create incredible feature walls, drop ceilings, cabinet façades, and even furniture. These boards can be primed and painted or they can be stained to offer a look that is consistent with Abbotsford’s modern aesthetic.

Mouldings

Whether you use MDF, finger joint, or any variety of wood board, mouldings can be useful for a wide range of accent projects. Whether you are planning on enhancing the look of your kitchen cabinets or installing board and batten in your bedrooms, moulding can give any Abbotsford home a great new look.

Plywood

There are hundreds of different varieties of plywood and they can all be used differently. Less appealing plywood can be used to set up a façade, which can then be covered with moulding or other attractive materials. Many types of plywood are attractive enough to be used on their own to create furniture or other home accents.

Hardware

Regardless of what kind of Abbotsford home DIY project you are taking on, you will definitely need a full supply of hardware and fasteners. Caulking, adhesives, nails, screws, hinges, and many other types of hardware are necessities for any DIY project.

If you are interested in finding out more information about the kinds of supplies for Abbotsford DIY home projects that you might need, or if you would like to find out about any of the other services and supplies available from Country Lumber, please contact us and we will get back to you as soon as possible.