Damged studs? -remove or not

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08-05-09, 01:12 PM

bkabat

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Damged studs? -remove or not

Wall was discolored near tub (of course). I took off damaged wallboard, which turned out to be an old repair from the previous owner. The studs behind the wall board are slightly damaged with all but one still firm. They are discolored, darkened. However, one piece of 12" 2x4 insert (from an old repair, maybe?) next to the tub was black but dry and simply crumbled apart. One moderately damaged horizontal 2x4 runs behind the tub, with the damage disappearing the more it goes away from the tub edge.

SO, my question is:
Can I treat the moderately damaged (but still solid) 2x4's with bleach and vinegar rinse, replace the little 12" insert, and then re-board that section and most likely have everything be ok? I really don't want to rip out the tub surround and have at the whole section of wall... But...

Any help?

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08-06-09, 09:48 AM

michaelshortt

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The bleach and vineger rince is OK but you need to remove any dry rot and use some kind of wood hardener on those areas. If you leave the dry rot it will continue to grow. Might be easier to replace the studs. Pictures would also help.

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08-06-09, 09:58 AM

bkabat

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Sorry for being nieve, but I didn't know wood-hardeners were still around. Help me out on that: What chemical or brand would I be looking for in a "wook hardener?"

I will get pics.

Thanks so much for the reply,
B. Kabat

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08-06-09, 10:30 AM

bkabat

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Pics of concerned area

I've stripped away the wallpaper, and removed wallboard from the original wall as well as from the old repair. I have bleached. The red oval is where I removed an extremely rotton 2x4 simply by pulling with my hand.

The small piece of horizontal 2x4 you see runs three feet over to the stud that is well behind the tub enclosure.

(Oh, in case you are wondering, the tan item behind the studs is a shower from the bathroom of a master bedroom.)

Opinions on how far this is worth going to fix up are welcome.

Thanks,
B.Kabat

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08-06-09, 10:55 AM

michaelshortt

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I think you are in good shape, not much damage there. I use a dremel with a barrel sander and remove the soft stuff. Then soak it down a couple of times with the hardener. I have used several hardeners which you can buy at the hardware store. I buy several cheap brushes that you can just throw away.

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