I'm getting ready for my next outside project. 2 Corner boards.

[Paper Roses]

My den extends beyond the back of the house so I can readily reach two corner boards that have rotted. I can replace them without much problem but I need to know what to expect underneath. They are at right angles to one another. Am I apt to find rotted 'whatever' underneath? Should I give it a try or pray they hold together. No money for a pro to do the job. They are only about 10 feet high as the addition is a single story.

Any thoughts will be a help. I'm afraid of what I will see when I pull off the old boards.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

1. Why are you afraid of what you will see ?

It's summer time, just remove those boards ! The garbage can,- can handle what ever it is you see or see not !At worst you will see weather rot,thats about it unless you think hornets are in there, if thats the case just get a can of Raid. Get yer pry bar in there and work the boards off.Start off by prying the nails out not all the way at first and work yer way up the board untill you get a feel for it. Start out a little at a time moving up as you go. It's not much different than prying out a molding strip you want to keep-you work it out carefully.

Good Luck !

[NNN0LHI]

2. Is your concern the stability of the structure after the boards are removed?

If that is the case get a couple of 2x4s and wedge them underneath of the structure before you start pulling out the nails.

Not sure if that was a concern but I would do that before starting the project anyway.

And no matter what ends up needing to be being done use screws rather than nails when putting it all back together.

And I know you said you can't afford the bucks to pay someone to do it but is their any chance you know someone who does this kind of work who you could just ask to look at it and give you any suggestions? That is what I would do. Never hurts to ask.

Good luck.

Don

[Paper Roses]

3. Hi, I'm not sure what to expect when I remove the corner boards.

This is a 200 year old house. I am not sure how it was constructed but I am afraid of some kind of rot under the corner boards. If we ever get over this heat and rain, I will tackle this job
If I encounter some problem with the internal underpinnings, I will not know wnat to do.
My local lumber yards will cut the new pre-primed wood to the size I need.

The top of the corner boards are not rotted and I can use my reciprocating saw to cut the angle and butt up the top. The inside is what worries me.

I must do this myself, scared to death but what can you do? My late husband did all of this kind of outside work. Wish I had watched more carefully. I know about the screws. My husband used to screw rather than nail a lot of things he did.

I will ask my daughter's BF if he can help but he is self-employed and works about 80 hours a week and I feel a little guilty about asking.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

4. Have you figured out how to post pictures ?

Show me the problem.

[txlibdem]

7. The construction term "corner boards" has two different meanings

Some people use the term to mean the siding that forms a corner but it is actually the butted 2x4's or 2x6's that forms the corner that the siding actually nails to. Most people double up the inside board so one side has 2 boards at 90 degree angle to the other board, and these boards are screwed together every 6 inches so they form a structural component. I've seen DIYers even glue them all together but that is, IMO, overkill if you use the correct size wood screws and use enough of them. I like to predrill with a much smaller bit to avoid splitting the wood.

But if this is the case (that you are not referring to the siding alone) then you need to support the structure while you work. Get expert advice before you start.

[Warpy]

5. You won't know what you've got until you remove the old boards

You might find that you've caught it in time and that the siding underneath is still sound, or you might find a total mess and need that corner of the addition torn down and replaced.

If you're on the lucky side, try to figure out what caused those boards to rot and correct it or the new boards and the house underneath them will continue to deteriorate.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

6. You might try synthetic/plastic trim.

A little more expensive but it will out last all of us.

I think Homers carries it.

http://www.azek.com/azek-cornerboards/