Exterior trim protects the corners and edges of your house, and those are exactly the spots water finds first. Rot starts small and hidden, then spreads every winter as water gets in and freezes.
Where to look
- Corners where a second-floor overhang meets the wall or soffit
- The bottom of corner boards and window and door trim
- Anywhere a gutter overflows or a downspout splashes
- Trim near light fixtures, vents and wires where caulk has failed
Signs of rot
Peeling or bubbling paint, dark stains, gaps opening at a corner, or wood that crumbles. Press a screwdriver into the spot: healthy wood resists, rotted wood lets it sink in.
How it gets fixed
The rotted wood gets cut back to solid material. New trim boards are fitted to rebuild the shape, sealed and primed, caulked where they meet the house, then painted to match. Painting over rot doesn't stop it; it just hides it.
See a real repair
Here's a rotted corner under a second-floor overhang that we tore out, rebuilt and painted. Text a photo of yours to (773) 886-5612.