Dry rot is a generic term for a variety of wood fungi that cause mildew, mold, staining, and decay in wood. It needs only a certain combination of moisture, heat, and air to take hold — and it can grow for four to six months before you can see it. By the time paint bubbles or a trim board goes soft, the damage underneath is usually further along than it looks.
Infected wood loses its structural integrity, and there is no honest shortcut: damaged timber must be completely replaced, or the fungus keeps spreading and causes additional harm. Rotted wood also invites pests like termites, compounding the problem. That's why waiting is expensive — the cost of repair grows with the damage.
Because Solidarity does this repair work in-house, rot found during a repaint doesn't stall your project or bring in a second contractor. It gets cut out, rebuilt, primed, and folded into the same finish schedule — and the joints around it get caulked and sealed so water can't restart the cycle.
How the work unfolds
Probe & map
Suspect areas are physically probed — rot hides behind intact-looking paint, so we test rather than trust the surface.
Cut out infected wood
Infected members are removed completely. Patching over active rot only buys the fungus time.
Rebuild to match
New wood is fitted to match existing profiles and lines, then primed on all sides.
Seal the cause
The joints and gaps that let water in are caulked and sealed — deterrent is always the best policy.
Common questions
How do I prevent dry rot?
Keep water out of the wood: maintain caulked joints, sound paint, and sealed window and door perimeters. Prevention is exactly what Solidarity's caulking and sealing service exists for.
Can you quote rot repair before opening the wall?
Visible rot, yes. But rot that's impossible to see during estimating can add cost once surfaces are opened — which is why Solidarity says so in writing rather than surprising you later.
Often paired with
Specialty & Preparation
Caulking & Sealing
Sealing the joints, seams, and perimeters where water starts its damage — the deterrent that prevents dry rot instead of repairing it.
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Painting
Exterior House Painting
Full-preparation exterior repaints on wood siding, trim, and stucco — washed, scraped, repaired, caulked, and primed before the first finish coat.
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Restoration & Waterproofing
Restoration & Waterproofing
Proactive and remedial waterproofing — spall repair, injection systems, sealant replacement, and elastomeric wall coatings that keep water out of the structure.
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