What people keep running into with exterior repair
Complaints tagged exterior repair, each raised by more than one person. One-off posts are not included.
22 recurring problems · 241 people · 13 forums we read
Raised more than once
Most people first.
- 52How to tell if roof flashing is installed wrongPoorly installed roof flashing relies heavily on caulk rather than proper metal integration, leaving homeowners with leaks and visually unacceptable work. Without clear industry standards to reference, it becomes difficult to dispute substandard craftsmanship and demand corrections from a roofing contractor.
- 31Should I use foam or caulk to seal gaps in exterior walls?Homeowners dealing with pest infestations struggle to choose between materials like foam, caulk, or netting because they are unsure what will actually block the openings in stucco and brick. Without a reliable way to securely close large gaps, pests continue to get inside and leave droppings, rendering temporary fixes ineffective.
- 28How to fix concrete cracks near garage foundationFixing foundation cracks requires clearing away debris and filling the gaps with a concrete patch. However, the root problem is poor water drainage, so you must also clear downspouts and ensure the ground slopes away from the house to stop future damage.
- 17How to keep palmetto bugs from coming upstairs from the atticLarge roaches and palmetto bugs often bypass a clean house by traveling from the attic or exterior entry points directly into second-story bathrooms and living spaces. Proofing the upper levels and sealing entry routes stops them from wandering out of the attic and into bedrooms.
- 16How to fix a cracked wooden front doorMinor splits and separating wood seams on an entry door can be repaired using wood filler or epoxy without needing a full replacement. However, if the crack stems from rot or severe structural damage, you will need to hire a contractor to evaluate whether the door or frame requires professional rebuilding.
- 15How to fix rotted wood landscape timbersWood landscape timbers rot from the bottom up due to constant moisture contact with the soil. This structural decay weakens garden borders and retaining walls, requiring homeowners to figure out how to repair or reinforce the damaged wood before it completely fails.
- 11Gap around furnace b-vent after roofingRoofers often leave an open gap between the double-wall B-vent and the surrounding roof jack, which lets light and potentially water through. Standard caulk should not be used here because furnace vents get too hot; instead, you need a high-temperature rated storm collar and silicone flashing designed for gas vents to properly seal the opening without creating a fire hazard.
- 10How to service hard to reach outdoor AC units safelyTight building layouts and elevated rooftop locations force technicians to rely on dangerous ladders and awkward positioning just to access and open equipment. This severe physical risk stops routine maintenance, causes dangerous falls, and pulls team members away from their primary work to hold ladders.
- 8How do you fix and secure dropped vinyl siding under a window?Vinyl siding under a window can drop or blow off during storms, requiring homeowners to figure out how to put a single piece back in place without calling a professional. The repair often involves dealing with window moulding and understanding how siding panels interlock, which can be intimidating for beginners.
- 8How to stop woodpeckers from pecking holes in house sidingWoodpeckers drill large holes into wooden siding and columns to create nests, often targeting the sunniest sides of the house. Common quick fixes like spray foam and shiny deterrents usually fail because the birds simply tear out the foam to reclaim their space. While bird tape works occasionally, replacing the targeted wood with Hardie board is the most reliable way to keep them away permanently.
- 7Which type of weather stripping should I use for old windows and doors?Older houses often have windows and doors that no longer seal properly because the rubber gets dry and worn out. Choosing between options like foam, brush, or replacement seals can be confusing when trying to fix drafts and restore a proper fit.
- 7How do I fix peeling and flaking stucco?Stucco exterior walls can begin to flake, peel, or crack due to age or damage, sometimes requiring patches or repairs after hardware removal. Fixing these surface issues involves patching the base layer or rebuilding it back to a stable surface so the damage disappears. Matching the original paint color is often a final step to ensure the repaired area blends seamlessly.
- 6How to patch an inaccessible vent pipeFull replacement is impossible when a damaged vent pipe sits hidden between a floor and an exterior wall, forcing a repair from the inside instead. Standard exterior patching products often crack repeatedly within months, leaving homeowners stuck searching for a durable solution that holds up on hard-to-reach connections.
- 4Is my cracked exterior wood water damage?Poking the wood with a knife to see if it crumbles is the most direct way to test for water damage. Even if the wood remains hard, treating the cracks with silicone caulk or thick solid stains usually acts as a temporary band-aid. Because algae keeps coming out of the cracks, new coatings fail to adhere to the existing paint and flake off in a matter of weeks.
- 4How do I replace a dryer vent cover with weird dimensions?Non-standard wall measurements and odd hole dimensions leave massive gaps that standard replacement covers cannot fill. Mismatched tubing sizes between the wall and the dryer further complicate the installation by preventing secure connections, while complex vent routing behind exterior siding adds to the difficulty of replacing broken parts.
- 4Inherited a house with sudden damage and no idea what to doSudden home damage often leaves people completely unequipped to identify whether they are dealing with rot, termites, or structural failure, or who to contact for repairs. This lack of knowledge makes it hard to know what to look at or how to respond, especially when emergency funds are wiped out and homeowners are left struggling to digest the mess by themselves.
- 3Who to call for exterior stucco cracking near roof and foundation?Stucco cracking can stem from simple surface-level base coat issues or point toward underlying roof leaks and serious structural shifts. Figuring out whether you need a roofer, a structural engineer, or a dedicated stucco specialist prevents you from paying for the wrong repairs or missing critical damage.
- 3Why does newly installed exterior trim look bad so quickly?Exterior trim can start looking worn or develop gaps between rake boards shortly after replacement, leaving homeowners wondering if it indicates a serious defect or just normal expansion and contraction. Cleaning the material with soapy water often proves difficult and makes little difference in improving its appearance.
- 3How to fix a broken piece of cement by the garage doorA broken piece of cement at the corner of a garage door creates an open gap that foam and caulk alone may not permanently solve. Homeowners facing this issue need to know whether they can patch it themselves with standard exterior sealants or if the damage requires hiring a masonry contractor.
- 2How to fix a large hole in metal sidingPatching gaps in metal siding prevents water from seeping in and rotting the underlying wood. However, beginners to home repair often leave these holes exposed—from small punctures near gutters to two-foot cutouts from electrical upgrades—because they do not know what materials to use for the patch.
Comes up alongside
Topics that keep appearing on the same problems — not topics with similar names.