Dry Rot Repair

Small Enough To Miss, Big Enough To Compromise Your Home

Why Dry Rot Is Worth Taking Seriously

Dry rot is a fungal decay that eats away at wood from the inside. It doesn’t need a leak you can see to get started. A little trapped moisture behind siding, under a deck ledger board or around a window sill is enough.

Here in the Pacific Northwest, where rain settles in for months and a huge share of the housing stock predates modern moisture barriers, that’s rarely in short supply. That’s why dry rot shows up so often in homes that otherwise look well cared for.

Left alone, it spreads. Wood that once held weight starts to crumble, and what began as a small repair can turn into a structural one.

At All Around Maintenance, we investigate first and repair second. We find where the moisture is actually coming from, not just where the damage is visible, so the fix holds.

Contact us for a dry rot assessment: We’ll tell you exactly what we find.

What Dry Rot Looks Like

Dry rot doesn’t always announce itself. These are a few things to check for:

Wood that looks sunken or spongy or that gives when you press on it
Cracking in a distinct cube or “checkerboard” pattern
A grayish, almost mushroom-like surface texture
Discoloration or dark staining, especially near seams, joints or ground contact
A musty smell in an attic, in a crawl space or near an exterior wall

If you see any of this around your roofline, siding, window trim or deck framing, get someone to check it out. Dry rot repair now stops further spread.

Our Dry Rot Repair Process

1. Inspection

We come out to your home and trace the damage back to its source. We look at both the visibly affected wood and the moisture problem that caused it.

2. Recommendation

We give you a clear plan: what needs repair, what it’ll cost, how long it’ll take and what caused the issue in the first place. The goal’s not just repair; it’s also keeping dry rot from coming back.

3. Repair

We fix the underlying cause (a roofing issue, a siding gap, a leak), then remove and replace the damaged wood with rot-resistant lumber. We match materials to what your home actually needs and use proper flashing and sealants where water intrusion caused the problem in the first place. And we leave your home clean and as good as new.

What Affects the Cost of Dry Rot Repair?

Every dry rot job is a little different. A few things typically factor into your estimate:

How far it’s spread. A patch on one trim board costs less to fix than rot that’s reached structural framing.
Accessibility. Wood behind siding or under a deck takes more labor to reach than an exposed fascia board.
The root cause. If we also need to fix a leak, re-flash a roof section or improve drainage, that’s part of the scope
Materials. Matching existing trim or siding profiles can affect material cost. Older homes with cedar siding, common throughout the area, are especially prone to this

We’ll walk you through all of this during your estimate, so there’s nothing vague about what you’re paying for.

Why Homeowners Trust All Around Maintenance

We’ve helped more than 3,000 homeowners and businesses across the Portland and Vancouver areas. Dry rot repair is one of our most-requested services, often because a small fix early saved someone from a much bigger repair later.

Our friendly, professional team takes pride in doing your work to the highest standards:

Working efficiently and respectfully on your property
Communicating clearly, in plain language, throughout the job
Solving problems as they come up, not after
Finishing on schedule
Delivering results that last

If you’re not happy with the work, tell us, and we’ll make it right. That’s not a slogan: It’s how we’ve kept clients for over 20 years.

We’re licensed and insured in both Oregon (CCB #202731) and Washington (License #ALLARAM926JB). Angie’s List has recognized us for 6 years running, and Clark County’s own The Columbian has featured us.

“Alex and his team are prompt, polite, and efficient. I have always been pleased with their work and would highly recommend them!”

– C. L.

FAQs: Dry Rot Repair

Portland to Vancouver, Longview to Tigard, homeowners like you have questions. We’ve got answers. Check out the All Around Maintenance FAQ for even more.

What causes dry rot in Portland and Vancouver homes?

Dry rot needs two things: wood and sustained moisture. A leaky roof, a gap in siding, poor attic ventilation or a clogged gutter can all keep wood damp long enough for fungal decay to take hold. The Pacific Northwest’s long wet season gives it plenty of opportunity.

Is dry rot the same thing as termite damage?

No, though people often confuse the two. Dry rot is fungal decay caused by moisture; termite damage comes from insects eating the wood. Both can look similar at a glance (hollow, crumbling or damaged wood). The cause and the fix are notably different, which is why an accurate inspection matters.

Whether you’re closer to downtown Portland or out toward Camas and Ridgefield, we can get someone out to check.

How urgent is dry rot repair, really?

More urgent than it looks. Dry rot spreads while it’s out of sight, and it weakens wood that may be doing structural work. That includes wood supporting a deck, a roof edge or a wall. Catching it early is almost always cheaper and simpler than catching it after it’s spread.

Can I prevent dry rot before it starts?

Yes, mostly through moisture control:

Keep gutters clear.
Address roof and plumbing leaks quickly.
Maintain attic and crawl space ventilation.
Keep your foundation dry.
Use treated wood or protective coatings on exposed lumber.
Monitor indoor humidity, and install vapor barriers in high-humidity areas.
Have your home inspected periodically, especially if it’s older or has had water intrusion in the past.

Give us a call for expert one-on-one guidance.

What should I do if my house has flooded?

Get the water out and the area fully dry as quickly as possible: That window matters. From there, inspect for structural damage, address it promptly and keep an eye on previously affected areas for months afterward.

Dry rot can take time to show up, so long-term monitoring is important. If you’re unsure whether an area dried out completely, it’s worth having it checked.

Do you guarantee dry rot repairs?

We stand behind every job we do. If something about the work doesn’t hold up, let us know, and we’ll fix it. Your satisfaction is our number-one priority.