Holes or soft spots in wood siding or trim
Urgency
2/5
Honest verdict: this one's worth a pro$300–$1,500Typical repair cost
Likely causes, most common first
- Rot where paint failed and water entered — sill noses, trim bottoms, corner boards first
- Woodpeckers hunting insects already living in soft wood (the birds are the messenger)
- Failed caulk joints at windows funneling water behind trim
Do this right now
- Probe with a screwdriver to map how far soft goes
- Photograph before winter — freeze-thaw grows every water-touched flaw
DIY or call a pro?
Small rot: dig-out + epoxy or dutchman repair + prime + paint. Large or repeating rot means replacing boards and fixing the water path above. Fall is the smart season, ahead of the freeze.
Planning this project?
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