Now I’ve done it…I took all the precautions, predrilled holes, blunted the nail heads, but I’ve got hairline cracks in the rough sill after I narrowed the RO for a window. Since this corner of the sill will be taking the load of one side of the nail fin, I want to do whatever I can to stop this situation deteriorating any further over time. I’m curious what strategies people have developed for dealing with nail splits? As the owner of a 75-year-old house, I can see how bad nail splits can get over time.
The splits right now are too small to get much construction glue in there, so I’m thinking of drilling some smallish holes and injecting epoxy. Would drilling these holes into the splits make things any worse?
Replacing the sill is not really an option: besides the damage to the sheathing that might result from taking it out (it’s T&G without the tongue in the groove….), I’ve got 2×4 reinforcement with 12ga angle connectors under this corner. It was probably nailing this in that caused the cracks.
Replies
Rough sill? Are you talking about 2 by framing material, I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.
One way to stop splits developing any further is to drill a hole through the material at the end of the split -- doesn't need to be large, about 1/8" should do it.
It'll give you a glue access point at the same time.
IanDG
Interesting, drilling a hole might actually relieve pressure? I'll probably take that route (+glue).I know this might seem overkill, but I've seen the damage already from serious under-engineering of the original RO. These old houses....