Replies

1. 
   fsmyles | Mar 03, 2022 07:35am | #1

   To me, it looks like there is moisture behind the center wood casing beyond what might be wicking from the sill. I would remove it and inspect behind it. It's a simple enough job to replace.

   To answer your question though about the aesthetics of the casing, sand the casing down to bare wood. Where sanding isn't accessible, use a chisel to carve out the paint. Fill with Bondo. You may have to do this twice. Sand smooth Wait a day and prime. Then finish paint.

   Frankie

1. 
   user-5449330 | Mar 03, 2022 08:13am | #2

   Thanks for your reply. Very helpful.

2. 
   florida | Mar 03, 2022 07:56pm | #3

   That's a very common problem. Pull that piece of trim off and I'd bet that the bottom edge and back aren't painted which has allowed water to wick up and rot the wood. Replace the entire piece with PVC trim and set the bottom edge in caulk when you do. That will keep the sill from rotting in that spot.
   Handyman is a bad word. Did he scrape the old caulk out and clean the joint well before he caulked? I'm betting not. Did he use a quality caulk like polyurethane or did he use the handyman's special, latex? I'll bet it was latex. A good caulk job will keep most water out for some period of time but caulk is a maintenance item, it's not forever. The same goes for Bondo and any other filler. It will hold moisture in until you have a real problem a few years down the line.

1. 
   user-5449330 | Mar 05, 2022 07:45am | #4

   Thanks for the reply. Excellent info.

   Bob