While roofing materials get most of the attention when we talk about roof repair, there are many tangential items to your home’s structure which may need some attention. Gutters are obvious when they begin to sag or leak, but soffits and fascia are also often in need of maintenance.
The good news is that you can generally notice any rot or deterioration from the ground. This is why it is recommended that you periodically take a walk around your home and look up!
Soffits & Fascia
Soffits close the gap between the roof and the structure’s wall. They are often water damaged when the gutters overflow or if a roof leak develops. Because they are generally made of wood, rot can occur during an especially rainy season, and they are also prone to insect, bird or critter infestation. While you can sometimes see actual holes and deterioration, often you will identify interior damage by noticing discoloration or peeling paint.
Did You Know? Well constructed soffits are important to the integrity of a Florida roof, as they help to keep it strong during a hurricane or any other severe weather.
Fascia is the trim board at the roof edge, and it is typically vulnerable to rot and decay. Repairing rotten fascia typically involves replacing the damaged boards, which may sound simple but involves a few steps you may not realize. This is because the drip edge (metal flashing along the top of the eave) must be removed in order to get to the fascia. If you don’t properly remove the drip edge it will likely be damaged permanently and need replacement as well.
The roofing materials above the drip edge need to be removed first. In other words, replacing rotten fascia boards requires roof repair as well, which makes sense. After all, the rotten boards were probably damaged by a roof leak of some kind, so taking a close look at the entire area is your best bet. If you replace and repair the fascia without identifying and fixing the roof leak, you will have more rotten fascia before you know it.
What Should You Look For? Rotten or deteriorating fascia is easy to located, even from the ground. Keep an eye out for stains, peeling paint, crumbling wood and loose, sagging gutters. Damaged wood crumbles easily and may even appear to be falling down. If your fascia is covered by aluminum or vinyl siding, you may wish to call a local Venice contractor to periodically check its condition. Because the siding covers any rotting wood, you may not know it is decaying until the erosion is advanced.
Faulty gutters are often the culprit behind rotted fascia and soffits. Be sure to inspect gutters – especially during the rainy season – to make sure that they are fastened correctly, remain unclogged, and are not sagging or coming apart at the seams. Given that it is dry during the fall and winter in this area, it is the perfect time to inspect and repair any gutter damage which may be present.
If you see damaged soffits or fascia, call a local Venice or Sarasota roofing contractor to come out to inspect the entire roof structure. Don’t put off repairs, as the each component of your roof may affect the others. The team at [company_name] looks forward to helping you to keep your roof in top condition, and to extend its longevity with proper repair and maintenance.
