Handyman Division

Dry Rot Repair in Yuba City, CA

Dry rot starts as a soft spot in the fascia or a window sill that gives under your thumb, and it keeps spreading as long as water keeps getting in. Dependable Handyman Services cuts out rotted wood back to solid material, replaces it, seals it, and tracks down the water source so it doesn't come back. If the rot has reached the framing, we're licensed to repair that too. CSLB #1065708.

Call (530) 216-7335 Get an Estimate

Licensed & bonded · CSLB #1065708
1-year workmanship warranty
Permits pulled when required
Open 7 days · 9am–5pm

Where We Repair Dry Rot

Fascia, Eaves & Rafter Tails

The most common spot. Water from overflowing gutters soaks the roof edge every winter.

Window Sills & Exterior Trim

Sills, casings and trim that hold water after the paint and caulk fail.

Door Jambs & Thresholds

Rot at the bottom of exterior door frames, repaired before it reaches the wall framing.

Siding Boards

Rotted sections cut out and replaced, matched as closely as available material allows. Larger siding jobs: Siding Repair & Replacement.

Deck Boards, Joists & Posts

Soft boards and rotted posts at ground level. See Deck Repair & Building.

Framing & Sheathing

When rot goes past the trim, we open it up and repair the structure under a B (General Building) license.

What Causes Dry Rot

$300Where a lot of rot repairs start, before the wall is opened and framing work shows up.

Despite the name, dry rot needs water. It's a wood-decay fungus that grows in wood that stays damp. Once the wood dries out, the damage stays and the rot sits ready to start again the next time it gets wet. The most common water sources we find on valley homes:

Overflowing or missing gutters soaking the fascia and eaves
Sprinklers hitting siding, trim and door frames every day all summer
Failed paint and caulk around windows and doors after years of hot summers
Wood touching soil or concrete, like deck posts, fence-line siding and garage door jambs
Roof and plumbing leaks that soak framing out of sight

Replacing the wood without fixing the water is how rot comes back in two years. That's why every DHS dry rot repair includes finding the source.

Signs of Dry Rot

Wood that's soft or spongy when you push a screwdriver into it
Paint that's bubbling, peeling or cracking in one area
Cracked, crumbly or darkened wood, often in a checkerboard pattern
Gaps opening between trim pieces or at window corners
A musty smell near a window or door frame

How Dry Rot Repair Works

01
Call or send photos. Close-ups and a wide shot of each area help.
02
Get an estimate. We inspect the damage and give you a clear estimate before work starts.
03
Cut out, repair and seal. We remove rotted wood back to solid material, replace it, prime and seal it, and fix or flag the water source. If the damage goes deeper than expected, we show you and quote it before going further.
04
Walkthrough. We walk the repair with you. Backed by a 1-year workmanship warranty.

What Affects the Cost of Dry Rot Repair

How far the rot has spread. The full extent only shows once it's opened up.
Location and height. Second-story fascia needs more setup than a door jamb.
Matching profiles. Older trim and siding profiles can take extra work to match.
Framing damage behind the trim or siding
Paint. Whether you want the repair primed only, or painted to match

Why Use a Licensed Contractor for Rot Repair

Rot repair often starts as a $300 trim job and turns into framing work once the wall is opened. A handyman without a license has to stop at $1,000 in labor and materials. DHS holds California CSLB License #1065708 with the B (General Building) classification, and framing and carpentry are exactly what that license covers, so the repair stays with one company no matter how deep it goes.

Dry Rot Repair Service Areas

We repair dry rot on homes and rentals in Yuba City, Marysville, Linda, Olivehurst and Plumas Lake, and north through Live Oak, Sutter and Gridley. For larger rot and structural repairs, we also work in Natomas, Sacramento, Roseville and Chico.

Dry Rot Repair FAQ

Can dry rot just be filled with epoxy?

For a small, shallow spot in otherwise solid wood, epoxy filler can work. Once the wood is soft through, cutting it out and replacing it is the repair that lasts.

Does dry rot spread?

Yes, as long as the wood stays wet. That's why we fix the water source along with the wood.

How do I know how bad it is?

Push a screwdriver into the wood. If it sinks in easily, it's rotted. The full extent shows once it's opened up, and we'll tell you before going beyond the estimate.

Is dry rot covered by homeowners insurance?

Usually not, because it develops over time. Sudden water damage, like a burst pipe, is sometimes covered. Check with your insurer.

Can you match my existing trim and siding?

We match as closely as available materials allow, and we'll tell you up front if an exact match isn't possible.

Found a Soft Spot? Fix It Before It Spreads.

Call (530) 216-7335 or send photos through the estimate form.