How to Fix Holes in Your Wooden Soffit

Fix holes in your wooden soffit using basic carpentry tools and a ladder. A soffit – the underside of a certain part or section of a building, such as an arch or overhang – often needs to have holes repaired because of knots in the boards that have fallen out, from rotting wood or from animals creating holes. It is important to fix these holes because insects, rodents and other pests can find their way inside and lead to other problems that will require more home repair. Bees and wasps especially like to nest in these types of areas.

Things You'll Need

• Ladder
• Tape measure
• Drill
• Drill-bit set
• Wood putty
• Putty knife

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Position your ladder against the building or wall so you can access the damaged soffit comfortably.

   • 2

     Measure the diameter of the hole that needs to be fixed.

   • 3

     Locate a drill bit that is 1/8-inch larger than the size of the hole and drill out a new hole to expose the wood.

   • 4

     Fill the hole with the wood putty and smooth it out using the putty knife. Let the wood putty dry according to the instructions listed on the putty's packaging.