Catch Wood Rot Before It Wrecks Your Trim

We see it every year. The storms roll in sideways. The humidity hangs in the air. And the wood never dries out. It only takes a small gap, and suddenly, the damage is done.

Main Fix

Rotting Trim Is Hiding in Plain Sight Around Your Home

Every summer, we get dozens of calls about wood rot. Some come from property managers during turnover. Others are from homeowners who notice paint bubbling or trim pulling away. The story is always the same. Water got in where it should not have, and the wood stayed wet.

We have seen:
• Fascia boards crumbling behind gutter lines
• Nickel gap siding rotted from the bottom up
• Garage door trim soft and caving at the base
• Window stools soaked from a failed seam
• Door frames that rot where the storm door funnels water into the threshold

None of it happens overnight. It starts small. Then the heat, the moisture, and a little neglect do the rest.

Here is how to catch it before the problem grows:

1. Walk the perimeter after a storm
Check where trim meets siding, concrete, and roofing. Focus on areas that take direct exposure: around doors, garages, porches, and windows. Look for swollen wood, bubbling paint, mildew, or failing caulk.

2. Tap the wood with a solid tool (or a knuckle will do)
Use the handle of a screwdriver, putty knife, or even your knuckles. Tap along fascia boards, windowsills, garage trim, and door frames. If it sounds hollow or feels soft, you likely have rot. Paint will often hide the damage.

3. Inspect door bottoms and garage trim
The base corners are usually the first to go. Wind-driven rain soaks the end grain, especially if it was never sealed. Water wicks upward from the concrete. If the bottom edge is spongy, it needs attention.

4. Look behind the gutter line
A tilted or clogged gutter allows water to pool and soak the fascia behind it. The drip edge only works if water is directed properly. We have seen clean-looking homes with hidden rot once the gutter is pulled back.

5. Maintain your caulk and paint
Any open seam is an open invitation. Use a high-quality exterior caulk that stays flexible and repaint wood trim before the old finish wears through. The best defense is a clean, sealed surface.

Bonus Tip:
If you have nickel gap siding, check the lower rows. These boards tend to wick water at the seams, and if the ends are not sealed, rot will begin from the bottom and move up.

This is not rare. We have seen it across properties year after year. And once rot starts, it only gets worse. A ten-minute check can catch the soft spots before they turn into full replacements.

5-Minute Task

Walk your home and tap along every door frame, window trim, and garage board. Focus especially on anything near the ground. If the paint is flaking or the board sounds hollow, take note and plan a fix.

Tool Spotlight

Sherwin‑Williams 950A Siliconized Acrylic Latex Caulk
Highly flexible and paintable, this caulk seals gaps at trim joints and around window and door frames. It holds up to heat, rain, and UV. It’s perfect for areas prone to driven rain and wood rot.
Check it Out Here

Lowcountry Watchlist

This week’s storms bring more wind and flash flooding. If water collects near the base of your home, take note of where it sits and how long it stays. Standing moisture against trim is where most rot begins.

Thanks for reading and for staying ahead of the things most people ignore. If this issue helped you notice something new, forward it to a friend or neighbor. That is how smart homeownership spreads.

Mike Manning
The Proactive Home