astm216

After the last hurricane that brushed North Florida I helped my in-laws repair and update their beach house. As part of the repair we leveled the house as it had settled about 2 inches in the middle. Our engineer designed a 24" x 24" x 36" concrete and rebar pad at each piling. Additionally he specified 2 8x8 posts being installed on the sides of the old pilings and all the cross bracing be replaced with new dimensional lumber. He recommended against removing the old pilings. He felt they were still providing some benefit. The house was leveled and all repairs made to his specifications.

Over the last few years a few of the rotten spots have gotten worse. I would like to fill them to prevent water intrusion and/or a place for bugs to make a home. I have no idea what material to use to fill these holes. The largest is about the size of a baseball. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

bluewaterider

Bondo

clt_capt

Hot roofing Tar.

25WildBlue

I have used this with amazing success filling and repairing rotten spots in exterior wood trim, window sills, and decorative wood window details.

https://www.abatron.com/product/liquidwood/
https://www.abatron.com/product/woodepox/

- Remove the loose stuff
- I actually stuck a few nails for the epoxy to grab onto
- Paint the entire surface with the liquid wood, let it tack
- Mix the putty with your hands and fill the rot; keep it a little proud
- sands easily once cured.

paint or finish however you want.

TorFed

Flexseal.

In reality I'd ask a structural engineer to come take a look and advise how to repair, then hire someone to do the suggested repairs.

muskrattown

Any pictures? Are we talking wood, treated or creosote?
The 8x8's are doing the work so I would use anything that will keep the rot from getting worse.
Stiff mixed concrete would work as would any epoxy filler.

captbone

mfix

Overkill by the engineer. Just take the old ones out.

scflats

Epoxy resin would be strong and last a long time.

Saltexpress90

can you take some pictures of this work? I’m going to need to do the same thing soon to my place and looking for some ideas

coddock

great product...absolutely fantastic!
After digging out the rot to solid wood I’d imagine you’ll have some decent size holes to fill.
You will go broke though filling pilings with it!
How about some nice fitting PT Dutchmen ?

briankinley2004

Without seeing it I would say epoxy too. West Systems also makes some structural filler you can add to the resin to build out with and make a workable mixture to a stiffer consistency. I have used this successfully on rotten hatches and other spot repairs in wood. It needs to be dry to bond good.

captbone

If you can get a form around it, maybe use that pourable transom epoxy.

dannyroche

Be careful, you may need enviro approval.

Brad1

First thing I would do is inject git rot into the wood around the rotten spots to stop the rot from spreading. If the rotten areas still have the wood fibers intact, the git rot is all you need.

But why not just make a temporary support and replace the piling?

skibum

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Durham-s-...7b4a3447c49a4c

Love this stuff!

mfix

It already has permanent supports on either side of it.

I like it to but not so much for large areas. I've mixed bondo and polyester resin together , than mixed in both hardeners and filled pretty large cavities . One time it got so hot I had to keep ice on it. But it works great.

astm216

Thanks everyone for all the ideas. Cant remove the old ones now they are incased in the same newly installed concrete and rebar pads the 8x8's sit on. I think the idea I like best is to clean it out, drill in some long stainless screws to provide something to grab on and fill with a concrete vinyl patch or some kind of Bondo. Again, thanks everyone!

astm216

Treated round pilings

astm216

Asked the same engineer that helped with repair. He said fill with anything that wont fall out! He said the load is 95% carried by the new PT posts