Part 2 of our Winter-Proof Your Home series.
Rotted trim is a common problem on Charlotte-area homes, and winter makes it worse. Wet wood stays wet through cold, gray weeks. Freezing nights open up cracks, and cracked caulk lets more water in every time it rains. Fixing rotted wood and resealing trim in the fall protects your paint, your siding and the framing behind them. Here’s how to spot the problems and what a proper repair looks like.
Where to Look for Rotted Wood
Rot shows up where water collects or splashes. Check these spots first:
- Fascia boards behind gutters, especially gutters that overflow
- Soffits and rake boards along the roof edges
- Window sills and brick molding, where caulk has failed
- Door frames and the bottoms of jambs on exposed entries
- Corner boards and trim close to the ground, mulch or a deck
- Porch posts, railings and garage door trim
Signs include peeling or bubbling paint, dark stains, soft spots and gaps that keep getting wider. The screwdriver test is simple: if the tip sinks into the wood with light pressure, it’s rotted.
Don’t Forget the Crawlspace
Some of the most serious rot is out of sight. Long-term moisture under the house, a slow plumbing leak, or water running behind siding can rot sill plates, rim joists, floor joists and subfloor. Watch for floors that feel soft or bouncy, musty smells, soft spots near tubs and toilets, and doors that suddenly start sticking. Structural rot should be repaired before it spreads. We replace or reinforce the damaged framing and talk with you about the moisture that caused it.
Why You Can’t Just Paint Over Rot
Paint won’t hold on soft, wet wood. It may look fine for a few weeks, but the rot keeps spreading underneath and the paint soon blisters and peels. The right order is:
- Find the water source: gutter, flashing, failed caulk, sprinkler or grading.
- Cut out the rot back to solid wood.
- Replace or rebuild with new boards or trim, fitted and fastened properly.
- Prime all bare wood, including cut ends.
- Caulk the joints with paintable exterior caulk.
- Paint to match, or as part of a full exterior repaint.
Because we’re a painting company with our own carpentry crews, we handle the repair and the paint in one project. That way nothing gets left as bare, unprotected wood going into winter. Learn more about our residential carpentry and repair services.
Re-Caulking and Resealing Exterior Trim
Even where the wood is still sound, failed caulk is an open door for water. Re-caulking is one of the most cost-effective things you can do before winter.
- Remove the old caulk that’s cracked, shrunken or pulling away. New caulk over old, failed caulk won’t bond well.
- Clean and dry the joint before sealing.
- Use a paintable exterior caulk suited to the materials being joined, and follow the label’s temperature guidance.
- Seal the key joints: trim to siding, window and door casings, corner boards, and around pipes, vents and fixtures.
- Leave weep and drainage gaps open where siding or windows are designed to drain. Sealing those can trap water.
- Paint over the caulk once it’s ready, so it’s protected from the sun.
Fix the Gutters While You’re at It
Most fascia rot traces back to gutters. If yours overflow every fall, consider fine-mesh gutter guards that let only rainwater in. If the gutters themselves are failing, replace them with seamless 5-inch or 6-inch gutters and matching guards. See gutter replacement and gutter guards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can rotted wood be repaired, or does it have to be replaced?
Small, shallow areas can sometimes be filled and shaped. Once rot goes through a board or into structural framing, replacement is the lasting fix.
Is it OK to caulk in cold weather?
It depends on the product. Each caulk lists its own temperature range, and the joint must be dry. That’s one more reason to tackle it in the fall.
Who should I call for rotted fascia or trim?
A contractor who can handle the carpentry, the gutters and the paint, so the repair is sealed and finished properly instead of left bare.
Schedule Your Repair Before the Cold Sets In
SouthEnd Painting & Roofing Contractors repairs rotted wood, reseals trim and paints homes across Charlotte, Weddington, Waxhaw, Marvin, Matthews, Wesley Chapel, Monroe, Indian Trail and beyond. Want your roof checked too? See our residential roofing services. Call (704) 522-0000 or request a free estimate.
Winter-Proof Your Home series: Part 1: Overview · Part 2: Rotted Wood & Caulk · Part 3: Roof Repair vs. Replacement (coming soon) · Part 4: Stucco, Siding & Vinyl (coming soon)
