Maintaining your home’s exterior is important, especially as it begins to age. Many older homes require repairs to the eaves, siding, and porch columns due to damaged or rotted wood. It may seem overwhelming to tackle these repairs, but sprucing up your home’s exterior doesn’t have to be complicated.

    To help, I’ve compiled a list of five common exterior home repairs, along with easy-to-follow instructions on how to make the repairs yourself. 


    1. Replace Eave Board

    Squirrels can cause significant damage to your home, especially to the fascia boards on the eaves. To repair a squirrel-damaged fascia board on the eaves, remove the damaged board, cut a replacement to match, and nail the new board in place. However, before repairing squirrel damage, make sure the squirrels aren’t inside the house. 

    When working near power lines, remember to contact the local utility company and turn the electricity off to avoid any potential electrical dangers.


    2. Repair Siding

    Damaged siding is a common issue that can affect the appearance and integrity of your home.

    Repair Siding
    Image Credit: Canva

    To remove and replace damaged siding, use an oscillating tool to cut through the nails in the row above the siding, then insert a flat pry bar under the bottom of the damaged siding and remove the board. Cut a new piece of siding to length, slide it in place, and secure the board.

    To make installing siding quicker, make an exposure gauge, hook it under the bottom row of the siding, and rest the new board on top.

    You can use auto body filler to repair minor damage to wood. Here’s how:

    1. Dig out loose wood with a putty knife or Dremel.
    2. Mix filler resin and hardener as instructed.
    3. Fill the void before hardening starts.
    4. Once dry, sand smooth and flush.
    5. Prime and paint to match your existing siding color.

    3. Repair the Column Base

    If the damage is limited only to the mitered trim boards around the base of the column, the first step is to remove the damaged wood. Next, you can miter new boards using rot-resistant material and nail them securely in place. However, if the column has a separate base, you’ll have to jack up the whole column before removing and replacing the base. 

    Vine covered house with portico entrance
    Image Credit: Canva

    If the column itself is rotten, you’ll need to replace the entire column. If you encounter more complex issues, such as a failing column-to-base joint or overall column rot, jacking up and replacing components is vital. If you are unsure about the structural soundness, I recommend calling an engineer for assistance. 


    4. Build a New Window Screen

    Window screens are another common repair due to their exposure to the elements. To replace a missing window screen, make a new one using aluminum screen frame stock and plastic screen frame corners. Here’s  how to do it:

    1. Measure the window to determine the size of the fame.
    2. Subtract the width of the frame corners from the measurements.
    3. Cut the frame stock to length using a miter saw or hacksaw.
    4. Insert the four corners in the screen frame.
    5. Cut a piece of screen wire several inches larger than the frame.
    6. Position the screen wire over the frame.
    7. Press the rubber spline in the grooves using a spline roller.
    8. Cut off any excess screen with a utility knife.

    5. Repair the Newel Post

    Stair railings see a lot of wear and tear over time and often require repairs. Sometimes, the decay on stair railings occurs behind the newel post trim. Follow these steps to address this issue.

    1. Pry loose, rotten exterior boards with cata paw bar. Save original trim pieces as templates for the repair work.
    2. Check interior newel wood integrity. You’ll likely need to replace the entire post if it’s severely damaged.
    3. Enclose newel in a 1-inch-thick hardwood box, with openings on top and bottom to reconnect railings.
    4. Re-attach stair rails with sturdy connectors.
    5. Craft matching decorative capped top to hide box.

    This process will restore its function but still preserve your staircase’s original architecture. Call a professional to evaluate before tackling larger newel repairs yourself.


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    So, Is Exterior Home Maintenance Difficult?

    Exterior home repair can be tough for DIYers, depending on the scale of the repair. Simple fixes like replacing sections of the eave, siding, and column trim are manageable for handy homeowners. However, large-scale repairs like full rotten columns, adding supports, and major siding projects on multiple floors require the expertise of seasoned contractors. They possess the skills necessary to ensure safe, code-approved, and long-lasting solutions.


    FAQs About Exterior Home Repair

    How do I know my home exterior needs repairs?

    Check closely for cracked paint, wood damage, moisture, and parts coming loose. Catch problems early for easier fixes before big repairs become unavoidable.


    What tools do I need for basic exterior repairs?

    When performing basic exterior repairs, make sure to have a cordless drill, circular/recip saws,  pry bar, putty knives, chisels, a hammer, a utility knife, a tape measure, a level, a straightedge, a sturdy ladder, scaffolding, and safety gear.


    What materials are best for replacing rotten exterior wood?

    Naturally durable wood like cedar or improved composites like Trex have the greatest longevity. Use stainless hardware, and make templates of your original decorative trim to match.


    Should I repaint after exterior repairs?

    Minor touch-ups work for small areas. But larger replaced sections warrant full repainting for uniform, weatherproof results.


    Why does my exterior wood rot?

    Fungi that grow only in dampness digest wet wood fibers, causing decay. Ensure your exterior materials dry quickly through proper ventilation, drainage, and timely repairs so moisture doesn’t get trapped in the wood.


    Editorial Contributors
    avatar for Danny Lipford

    Danny Lipford

    Founder

    Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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