For all the things there are to do to keep our homes looking their best, the roof often gets overlooked, which is weird given how high it is! We’re not talking about the slates or tiles here, but the fascias and soffits that give the roof some protection against the elements.
These two key aspects of the roof play an important part in keeping your home structurally secure. They help to keep water and debris away and stop birds, insects and other small animals from setting up home in your roof lines. They don’t last forever though, so it’s important to know when they need replacing. Here we are going to look at 4 signs that you may need soffits and fascias repairs.
Soffits and Fascias Repairs
In case you’re confused about which is which, let’s start by helping you identify them both. This will also help you understand if, and when, they might need replacing.
A fascia, also called a roof-board, can often be seen on the edges of the rafters and are the long, straight-boards that run vertically along the lower edge of the roof. They are fixed to the lower ends of the roof trusses, supporting the bottom edge of the roof tiles. It’s the section that also supports the guttering too. It sounds like a simple task, but it’s important because, when it rains heavily, there will be several gallons of water washing into the gutters every second, so they need to be firmly secured.
The soffit is the board you will see when you look up from ground level, tucked under the fascia. Whilst the fascia is usually vertical, the soffit runs horizontally (unless on a gable end), often with some holes to allow ventilation. By allowing air to flow around, condensation that can build up and damage the roof timbers, is eliminated. So now we know our soffits from our fascias, let’s look for the signs you may need new ones.
1. Unwanted House Guests
As much as your house is home to you and your family, it will also become permanent residence for some other unwanted lodgers. If your facias or soffits have rotted, cracked or moved position, animals, insects and birds will soon set up home inside. Look for droppings in your attic, on the walls and listen for noises in the roof space, these can all be signs that you have pests living rent-free (and we don’t mean the kids). Don’t delay in getting these fixed as it will only get worse.
2. Paint That’s Cracked or Flaking
Most fascias and soffits that are installed when the house is built will be made of wood. This means that over time, especially if not maintained, the paint on them will start to flake and crack, exposing the wood below. Eventually, the wood will rot. This means that not only will it be easier for animals to set-up home (see Point 1) but the protection it offers to your home is lessened. Water will leak into the roof space, leading to damage and the growth of mould. Never a good sign.
3. Leaking Gutters
If you notice that your drain pipes and gutters have moved, become unstable or are leaking, then that might also be a sign that your soffits and fascias need replacing. As we said, the fascias give the guttering structural support, so if your guttering isn’t working, then it could be that the fascias are failing.
4. Asbestos
This might sound like a long-shot, but shouldn’t be ruled out. Asbestos is a killer and if you live in an older building, then there’s still a risk that you have asbestos in your roof, fascias or soffits; especially if they’re original. Asbestos is an incredibly dangerous mineral and should only be managed by trained contractors and needs to be removed safely as soon as possible. If you think there’s a risk, speak to a professional as soon as you can.
Fascias and soffits look pretty simple, but they play a deceptively important part in the integrity of your home. If you’re looking to replace, repair or inspect your roof for any of the signs we’ve talked about here, then it’s vital you seek help from a professional who will be able to guide you on the best course of action.
If you require gutter maintenance or soffit & fascia repairs, our team at Gutter Maintenance can help. Give us a call 01869 277 100 or please feel free to fill in the enquiry form on our contact page today.
