Dry Rot Repair & Prevention in McMinnville, Newberg & Lincoln City – 2025 Homeowner’s Guide

Universal Home Services, LLC – Exterior Dry Rot Specialists Serving Yamhill County & the Oregon Coast

Dry rot quietly destroys siding, trim, window frames, fascia, and soffits on homes throughout McMinnville, Newberg, and Lincoln City. Our wet winters and coastal moisture feed the fungus that turns solid wood to dust — often before you ever notice it.

Here’s exactly how to spot it early, prevent it, and fix it right the first time.

Why McMinnville, Newberg & Lincoln City Homes Are Dry Rot Magnets

Oregon is without a doubt a beautiful place to call home, but that beauty comes at a cost. The green landscapes and lush vegetation of the valley and coast are only possible with ample rain fall and with that rain of course comes lingering moisture.

The only way for dry rot to start is from initial moisture saturation, and if your home is not adequately designed or maintained this can become a serious problem.

While there are plenty of ways to prevent this from occurring, the reality is that it's very common on homes in and around McMinnville, Newberg, and coastal cities like Lincoln City. Our team has extensive experience in identifying, repairing, and preventing these common issues.

How to Spot Dry Rot – Exterior and Interior Warning Signs

Outside the House (Most Common in Our Area)

• Paint bubbling, peeling, or blistering with soft wood underneath
• Wood siding or trim that feels spongy or crumbles when pressed
• Discoloration around windows/doors/or siding
• Greyish or whitened surface on bare wood
• Mushroom-like growth or orange-brown spore dust on fascia and soffits
• Warped or sinking window sills and door trim

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Inside the House (Signs the Rot Has Already Spread)

• Musty or mushroom smell in certain rooms
• Soft or springy spots along baseboards and window sills
• Cracked or peeling interior trim and door casings
• Visible white cottony strands or brown dust in corners
• Sticking windows or doors that used to work fine

7 Proven Ways to Prevent Dry Rot on Your McMinnville, Newberg or Lincoln City Home

1. Keep siding and trim at least 6–8 inches above soil and plants
2. Clean gutters and ensure down spouts are jetted/properly draining
3. Wash your home regularly to prevent organic build up like moss and other moisture/retaining organisms
4. Extend downspouts 6–10 ft from the foundation if rain drains are not buried
5. Repaint or restain exterior wood every 5–7 years (sooner on south/west sides)
6. Replace cracked caulk around windows and doors every spring
7. Have the exterior inspected yearly — especially homes built before 2000

Dry Rot Repair Done Right – Exterior Focus

For smaller dry rot repairs (particularly surface-level) the repair process is straight forward:

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1. Identify the cause of rot (most commonly failed caulking/faded paint) and make any necessary corrections
2. Remove and dispose of the wood trim, siding, or other failed materials.
3. Inspect the exterior envelope/cavity of home behind areas of concern and ensure rot has not penetrated further in.
4. Replace materials with equivalent design (or upgraded/modified as necessary) and seal/caulk/paint as required.

For larger dry rot repairs (think issues penetrating into interior cavity of home/walls) the repair process can be more complicated. Our steps:

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1. Identify the cause of rot and create a plan of action for future prevention.
2. Remove and dispose of the exterior envelope (siding/trim/house wrap)
3. Remove and dispose of any wall sheathing, framing, structural members, etc and replace accordingly. This often requires additional bracing/structural support.
4. Rebuild any demoed portions of the structure with proper materials.
5. Install new siding/trim as required and seal/caulk/paint.

Universal Home Services, LLC specializes in complete exterior dry rot restoration — no band-aid fixes. We can guarantee the issue will be taken care of correctly the first time.

Your Trusted Dry Rot Experts in McMinnville, Newberg & Lincoln City

Universal Home Services, LLC - | Oregon CCB #233723 | Fully Licensed, Bonded, & Insured

• Free exterior dry rot inspections (McMinnville, Newberg, Dundee, Sheridan, Carlton, Yamhill, Amity, Dayton, Lafayette, and Lincoln City)
• Same-week appointments most of the year
• Detailed photo reports and honest recommendations
• 5-year workmanship warranty on all siding & trim repairs

Don’t wait until soft trim turns into a $15,000–$30,000 re-side or structural repair job.

Call or text Universal Home Services today: (503) 883-8418. Schedule your free inspection → www.uhsoregon.com

We keep Willamette Valley and Oregon Coast homes beautiful and rot-free — one piece of trim at a time.

Stay dry,

The Team at Universal Home Services, LLC

McMinnville | Newberg | Lincoln City Dry Rot Repair Experts