After years of working on homes across Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, Bowmanville, and the rest of Durham Region, certain repairs come up again and again. These aren't random — they're driven by the region's housing stock, climate, and common construction practices.
Here are the five repairs we see most often, and what you can do about them.
1. Failed Bathroom Caulking
This is the single most common repair call we get. Durham Region has a large stock of homes built in the 1990s and 2000s, and the original caulking in most of those bathrooms is well past its useful life.
Black-stained or crumbling caulk around tubs, showers, and vanities is both a moisture and a hygiene issue. It's also one of the most cost-effective repairs you can make — typical cost is $150–$300 and it prevents far more expensive water damage.
2. Deck Rot and Structural Deterioration
Durham Region's wet springs and freeze-thaw cycles are hard on wood decks. We regularly find rotted deck boards, compromised post bases, and failing ledger attachments on homes built in the 1990s to 2010s where original decks are now 15–30 years old.
The key is catching problems before they require full replacement. An annual deck inspection takes 15 minutes and can identify issues when they're still board-level rather than structural.
3. Eavestrough and Fascia Damage
Ice dams are a regular problem in Durham Region winters. They form when heat escapes through the roof, melts snow, and then refreezes at the cold overhang. Over time, this destroys eavestroughs, forces water behind fascia boards, and can push under shingles.
We frequently repair or replace damaged eavestroughs and rotted fascia, especially on homes in Bowmanville, Courtice, and the rural parts of Clarington.
4. Drywall Cracks and Water Stains
Settlement cracks along ceilings and around door frames are common in older homes, particularly those on clay-heavy soils around the Oshawa and Whitby areas. Most are cosmetic and can be repaired with proper compound and tape techniques.
Water-stained ceilings from old leaks are another frequent call — the leak is repaired (or dried out), but the ceiling stain remains. Proper primer and paint matched to the ceiling resolves it.
5. Door and Window Air Leaks
Durham Region winters are long and cold. Energy-wasting air leaks around doors and windows are both a comfort and a cost issue. Worn weatherstripping, missing or deteriorated door sweeps, and failed window caulking are all simple repairs with immediate impact.
We commonly service homes across Durham where existing weatherstripping has hardened, compressed, or torn — often in homes where doors have been repainted several times, compressing the seal.
If you're seeing any of these issues in your home, call (289) 928-5689 for a free estimate.
Pedro Giorgana
Owner, Handy Man And Home Repairs — 16 years in construction, 15 years as a Home Inspector. Serving Durham Region, Kawartha Lakes & Northumberland.