Crafton wood window sills that are starting to go

A sill that's soft under a thumb isn't saved by another coat of exterior paint.

Stock photograph for illustration only — not a photo of this company’s staff, customers, or completed jobs. Unsplash. Unsplash License (https://unsplash.com/license).

Crafton houses hold a lot of original wood sills. Paint can hide a soft spot for a season. A probe with a thumb, or a sash that sits in a hollow, tells you the wood is the repair. Replacing or building up a sill is slower than a caulk bead, and it's the lasting version.

Water often starts at a failed gutter or a missing drip. Check the edge above the window. Coraopolis gutter repair is a western-suburbs version of that look if overflow is obvious.

If the sash itself is still good, keep it. This page is not a replacement mill.

An open or broken pane still needs to be secured if the house is exposed. Then the sill can be scheduled properly.

A first-floor opening that's already failed should be secured first — emergency board-up — then the sill can be scheduled as wood work, not as a midnight paint.

If you want help arranging a visit in Crafton, Pennsylvania, call or text (724) 603-5464 or email createdliving@gmail.com. A coordinator reviews the request and arranges a qualified or licensed local pro when the work requires one. For gas, electrical fire, downed lines, or immediate danger, call 911 or the utility. We do not promise a response time or a guaranteed arrival window.