Dry Rot Repair
Catch it early and it's a small repair. Wait too long and it's a major one.
Where Dry Rot Hits East Bay Homes
- Window sills and trim (especially north-facing)
- Fascia boards and eaves
- Exterior door jambs and thresholds
- Deck framing and posts
- Where downspouts dump on wood
- Anywhere flashing has failed
How I Repair Dry Rot
The right approach depends on how far the rot has spread. For small spots, I cut out the damaged wood, treat the surrounding area, and patch with new material that matches the existing trim. For bigger spots, I replace the affected piece entirely. For really severe spots — like deck framing that's gone soft — I refer to a licensed contractor, because that crosses into structural territory.
I also try to identify why the rot happened. If it was caused by failed flashing, a missing drip edge, or a downspout dumping in the wrong place, that needs to be fixed too — otherwise the new wood will rot just like the old wood did. More on spotting dry rot here.
Why Catch It Early
Dry rot doubles in difficulty (and cost) for every year you ignore it. A $200 trim repair caught in year one becomes a $2,000 structural repair in year five. If you see anything soft, flaking, or mushroom-like on exterior wood, it's worth a look.