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Wood rot is one of those silent home issues that can sneak up on you. If you’ve noticed signs of rotting wood around your home, you may be wondering if you need a painter to repair and paint rotted wood or if you should hire a carpenter instead.
The truth is, many professional painting contractors have the tools and skills to repair wood rot and then restore the surface with protective, long-lasting paint.
✔ A painter can handle small repairs on trim, sills, siding, or fascia by removing rot, filling, sanding, and repainting.
✔ A painting contractor for wood rot provides the added benefit of both repair expertise and protective finishes.
✔ The repair process includes inspection, rot removal or replacement, priming and sealing, and finally painting over repaired wood for long-term protection.
Wood rot occurs when moisture infiltrates wood surfaces, allowing fungi to thrive. The most common causes include:
Rotting wood isn’t just an aesthetic problem. When you leave damaged areas exposed:
Addressing the issue with exterior wood rot repair and painting not only improves your home’s appearance but also prevents far more expensive repairs later.
Many homeowners hesitate when they first notice rot. Should they call a painter or a carpenter? The answer depends on the extent of the damage.
If the damage is limited to small areas of trim, window sills, fascia boards, or siding, a painter can often manage the full repair process. Painters who specialize in exterior wood rot repair and painting can:
If rot has penetrated deep into framing, joists, or structural components, you may need a carpenter to replace those sections entirely. In many cases, homeowners hire both—a carpenter for the heavy repair and a painter to finish the surface.
A painting contractor for wood rot offers a unique advantage: they’re not only skilled at repairs, but they’re also experts at applying protective finishes. This ensures the repaired area blends in perfectly with the rest of your home’s exterior and is shielded from future moisture.
Understanding the process helps you see why it’s not just a matter of slapping paint on the problem. Proper restoration involves several steps.
The contractor will inspect all wood surfaces, including trim, siding, window frames, and decking. They’ll identify soft spots, peeling paint, or areas that sound hollow when tapped.
After repairs, a high-quality primer is applied. This is crucial because it:
Finally, the surface is painted with at least two coats of exterior-grade paint. Painting over repaired wood is the protective layer that prevents water from sneaking back in. A professional painter will fix and paint rotted wood and ensure smooth blending.
Not all painting companies offer wood rot repair, so it’s important to do your homework.
Seek contractors who specifically fix and paint rotted wood as part of their services. Experience in both repair and painting ensures a smoother, faster process.
Customer testimonials are a reliable way to gauge quality. A good contractor should have a portfolio of successful exterior wood rot repair and painting projects.
Make sure your contractor is properly licensed and insured to fix and paint rotted wood. This protects you from liability if something goes wrong.
The written proposal should include:
The average dry rot repair cost is about $1,400, but the price can range lower or higher depending on the extent of the damage, location of the wood, and whether replacement or filler is required.
Rotten wood can be repaired using epoxy wood filler or consolidant. The damaged area is cleaned out, treated, and then filled before being sanded, primed, and painted for a smooth, durable finish.
Wood rot often appears as discolored, soft, or crumbly patches. It may look darker than surrounding wood, feel spongy when pressed, or show peeling paint and small cracks.
If left untreated, rotted wood will continue to spread, weakening the structure and potentially causing water damage, mold growth, or pest infestations.
Many painters handle small-scale repairs like replacing trim boards or filling minor rot before painting. For extensive structural damage, a carpenter may be needed before painting begins.
At Avon Professional House Painter, we specialize in helping homeowners protect and beautify their properties with expert interior and exterior painting services. With over 20 years of experience, our reputation as the most-trusted painting contractor in Avon, CT, is built on quality craftsmanship, reliable service, and results that exceed expectations.
Call us now or visit our website to schedule your consultation
