How Do You Resurface A Water-Damaged Window Sill?
How Do You Resurface A Water-Damaged Window Sill?
Resurfacing a water-damaged window sill can be done in the following steps:
- First, gently pry off the old caulking around the window sill using a flat-head screwdriver. If you are working with tiles, determine whether or not the tiles can be removed and replaced. If they are loose enough to be removed, cut every second one with a tile nipper or a utility knife so you can make room for the new tiles.
- Next, vacuum up any dust that is left on the sill. Apply the underlayment of your choice to the sill and make sure it overlaps at least ¼ inch around the edges of your existing window sill. Do not use caulking on top of underlayment as it may prevent adhesion later on.
- Vacuum off some more dust that has now accumulated on the sill and wipe it off with a damp cloth.
- Once the underlayment has dried, if the condition of your window sill is not acceptable, you must remove all the existing caulking around it and replace it with new caulking. Apply caulk in areas where there are no tiles or other materials such as where there is no wall or floor to rest on.
- Wait for this caulking to dry thoroughly before you can proceed to your next step – scraping off all old caulk from around the window sill and removing any exposed wood.
- If your window sill is still too water-damaged, you’ll need a stucco repair kit. This involves priming the wood and scraping off loose wood, then coating it with a waterproofed so that it can be repainted. Be sure to allow ample time for drying before trying to paint.
- Carefully clean the area around the window sill with a damp cloth and allow it to dry thoroughly. Once this is done, you can apply your choice of paint over the cleaned window sill and then wait for everything to dry thoroughly before applying your chosen finish (clear coat, polyurethane, etc.)
- If you are dealing with tile restoration, you will have to go through a similar process as listed in steps 1-4 above but use suitable materials for tile restoration rather than underlayment or caulk.
