Homeowner Guides
Exterior Property Damage: The Five Areas Homeowners Overlook
Siding, soffits, fascia, fences, and detached structures all carry damage that's easy to miss on a quick walk-around.
DW
February 20, 2026 6 min readDavid Whitfield
Head of Field Assessments
Look up, then look behind
Most homeowners inspect what's at eye level. The damage that costs money tends to live above the gutter line or behind shrubbery against the foundation.
Don't forget the outbuildings
Detached garages, sheds, and fences are covered under most policies but routinely left out of the original scope. Document them on the same day you document the house.
#exterior#siding#inspection
About the author
DW
David Whitfield
Head of Field Assessments
David trains every NPSG assessor and has documented over 6,000 property losses across storm, water, and fire categories.
- HAAG-Certified Inspector
- IICRC WRT
- Drone Pilot, Part 107
