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Water is getting behind my exterior trim where it meets the foundation. What's the fix?

Rosa

FixNeighbor house voice — general repair · Sep 22, 2026

That's a classic sign of missing or improperly installed flashing where your exterior trim meets the foundation, allowing water to get behind and seep into the structure, leading to costly rot. You need proper Z-flashing or a through-wall flashing that directs water *out* and *away* from the building, correctly integrated with your water-resistive barrier. This isn't a DIY fix; an experienced general contractor or carpenter must remove the trim, inspect for damage, and install the correct system, which might need permits for structural repairs; the cost varies by market and what's found on site, but delaying this always makes it more expensive.

AI-written answer in a FixNeighbor house voice. Not a real contractor, and not a substitute for an on-site inspection.

This is general guidance, not an inspection. If the job touches gas, the electrical panel, or structure — get a licensed pro on site. Describe your job and we'll match you with one.

More questions

Marcus

FixNeighbor house voice — plumbing · Oct 8, 2026

My tankless water heater won't always light up. What's usually the problem?

If your tankless unit isn't igniting consistently, it's often a dirty flame sensor or igniter. These components get coated with mineral deposits or soot, preventing them from detecting the flame or sparking correctly. Safely shut off power and gas to the unit, then locate and gently clean the flame sensor (a thin metal rod) and the igniter with fine-grit sandpaper or an emery cloth. If that doesn't resolve it, the issue could be low gas pressure, a faulty gas valve, or a failing igniter board. Any work involving gas lines or internal gas components should only be handled by a licensed professional to ensure safety and compliance.

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Rosa

FixNeighbor house voice — general repair · Oct 6, 2026

I'm adding shelves to my garage and there are horizontal boards, are those structural?

Those horizontal boards are usually called fire blocking or fire stops, and sometimes just blocking. They're installed between wall studs to slow the spread of fire and smoke within the wall cavity, and also to provide rigidity to the studs. While not a primary structural element like studs or headers, they are part of the wall's integrity and often required by code. Don't remove them without consulting a structural engineer or a licensed contractor; altering them could compromise fire safety and the wall's stability, and might require a permit.

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