Seattle Dry Rot Repair

No, dry rot can not be covered up or painted over it will continue to grow and eat at the affected areas until it is cut out and removed. Covering up dry rot damage is never a good idea, and all reputable and licensed contractors will advise their clients against this and refuse to conduct a dry rot cover-up.

Yes, SFW Construction conducts siding and leak repairs year-round, even in the rain. Our highly-skilled carpenters live and work in the Pacific Northwest and know how to perform repairs safely and correctly in inclement weather. The only part of the project that would need to wait for a rain-free day is any painting, but we only use pre-primed material to prevent any water damage to the product until paint can be performed.

No, damaged sill or mud plates can be removed in sections with temporary support and replaced without conducting a costly home lift.

What Are Signs That You Have Dry Rot?

• You Notice Wood Beginning to Shrink, Darken, or Crack
• You Can Easily Penetrate Wood Surfaces with a Screwdriver
• There is a Musty Odor Present
• Bathroom or Kitchen Floors Feel “Springy”
• Cracked or Peeling Paint Around Windows, Doors, and Trim
• Wood Surfaces are Covered in Something Resembling the Skin of a Mushroom

What Are Common Areas For Dry Rot?

• Siding, Trim, Windows, and Door Framing
• Deck Framing and Boards
• Posts and Beams
• Roofs, Eaves, and Near Damaged Gutters
• Kitchen and Bathroom Floors and Walls
• Foundations, Sill Plates, Cripple Walls, and Crawl Spaces

Dry Rot occurs when the wood of your home exposed to moisture; in order to prevent wood rot, there are several things you can do around your house:

• Properly ventilate and insulate your attic and crawlspace
• Seal floors to reduce ground moisture in the basement and crawlspace
• Confirm all the flashing in these area’s is correct and water is directed away from the wood including the deck, doors, porch, roof, wall, and windows
• Keep wood away from high moisture places including the ground, masonry, and roof
• Keep your painting and caulking up to date
• Keep any areas where water builds up clear drains and downspouts
• Please don’t leave any untreated, dry rot to cause damage to your home; treat it as soon as you can

Having dry rot would affect your property if left untreated. Slowly the wood rot will cause weakening of the wood, which could compromise your house’s structural integrity. To avoid facing severe damage to your property, fix the issue before it gets worse.

This is a common question we get when it comes to hidden dry rot damage as dry can be under your siding without you knowing. Since dry rot can travel, there is no way to see the damage’s extent without opening the material up and seeing what is under the siding. I would be wary of any contractor who appears the know the extent of the affected area just by looking at the outer material only. There are many factors to how dry rot spreads, amount of time, moisture levels, type of product affected, how the area was constructed, building defects, and animal damage. So, with all these factors to make a proper diagnosis, the affected areas need to be inspected and seen.

If you discover dry rot our recommendation would be to find a contractor that is experienced and knowledgeable in dry rot repair, someone who can resolve all your dry rot issues and eliminate the problem from the source. Your contractor should understand the skill, care, and work needed to inspect, locate, and effectively remove and remediate moisture along with making the necessary repairs caused by dry rot. If you do not want the structural support of your property at risk, do your research before hiring a contractor.

A targeted dry rot repair is cutting out the damaged areas and conducting a small repair. After we tye the repaired area back into the existing material. This method saves homeowners time and money. Many contractors will recommend extensive repair, or guess how much damage is behind your siding when just a small space is affected, so they can secure a long, unnecessary, and profitable project at the homeowner’s expense.

Dry rot is the leading cause of damage in wood structures in the Pacific Northwest. Dry rot, which is sometimes called brown rot, wood rot, and wet rot, can lead to even more mold and mildew issues. This makes dry rot challenging to spot before it spreading—and nearly impossible to predict. As the fungi spread, they eat away at the wood, leaving it dark and crumbly. At that point, you can even crush the wood into small chips or powder with your bare hand. Unfortunately, once dry rot begins spreading within a structure, it doesn’t stop.