When it comes to maintaining your home’s value and safety, it’s easy to focus on the inside—paint colors, flooring upgrades, and modern appliances. But the outside of your home is its first line of defense. It protects your family and investment from the elements, and small issues can quickly become major problems if overlooked. At O.C. Taylor, we specialize in helping homeowners identify and resolve these issues before they become costly. Below are the five most common exterior repairs we handle—and why you shouldn’t delay fixing them.
Chimney Repair
What to Look For:
If you’ve got a brick chimney, keep an eye out for loose bricks, cracking mortar, and leaks around the flashing (where the chimney meets the roof). If your chimney is wood-framed and sided, watch for rot, woodpecker damage, or trim falling off. Leaks inside the home near the chimney can point to flashing issues or chimney cap failure.
How O.C. Taylor Can Help:
We’re not chimney sweeps, but we handle just about everything else: For brick chimneys, a simple reflashing between the brick and the roof. For wood-framed chimneys, we’ll wrap, reside with LP® SmartSide® (with a 50-year warranty), and make sure everything’s sealed tight.
Window Sill Repair
What to Look For:
Rotten window sills often go unnoticed until the damage is severe. A quick test? Press a screwdriver into the sill. If it sinks in easily, it’s time to act. Cracks in drywall near windows or drafts could also signal bigger issues. Rot can spread into the wall framing, insulation, and even cause mold.
How O.C. Taylor Can Help:
We remove and replace rotten sills—usually with long-lasting, rot-proof PVC trim. If the damage is only on the surface, we may only need to replace a single piece. Either way, we’ll ensure the window is properly sealed and looking great again.
Gutter Repair
What to Look For:
Clogged, sagging, or leaking gutters might not seem like a big deal, but they can cause foundation damage, siding rot, and landscape erosion. Overflowing water from faulty gutters often leads to water pooling at the base of your home, which can eventually crack your foundation.
How O.C. Taylor Can Help:
We install high-performance gutter systems like the Raindrop® Gutter Guard, which keeps leaves out and water flowing. Whether you’re getting a full exterior renovation or just need a new gutter system, we’ll make sure your home stays dry and you never have to clean them again.
Deck Repair
What to Look For:
Wobbly stairs, loose handrails, cracked or soft boards—all signs your deck may need attention. If boards flex under your feet or feel spongy, rot is likely already setting in. Test for stability by pressing on railings or gently tapping boards with a screwdriver.
How O.C. Taylor Can Help:
We evaluate whether individual boards can be replaced or if a full deck resurfacing is the better option. If more than 50% of the boards are damaged, a full replacement is the smarter long-term fix. We can install new wood decking or composite options, depending on your goals.
Siding Repair
What to Look For:
Buckling, warping, or discolored siding can all be early signs of water damage or underlying rot. Siding that feels soft or spongy when pressed—or shows signs of woodpecker damage—is also due for a closer look. Defective or outdated siding can’t stand up to the elements.
How O.C. Taylor Can Help:
Siding is one of the top repairs we handle. We replace defective materials with high-performance products like LP® SmartSide®, which not only improves durability but also boosts curb appeal. Our top-down inspection approach ensures no hidden damage is missed during the process.
Catch Small Problems Before They Grow
Catching exterior issues early can mean the difference between a simple fix and a full-blown repair. Regular inspections, keeping vegetation trimmed back from the house, and trusting professionals like O.C. Taylor to spot subtle warning signs can save you serious money and protect your home.
Call Brent at O.C. Taylor today for a free consultation and inspection. We’ll walk the exterior with you, explain what we see, and help you plan smart, lasting repairs that protect your home for years to come.
