Signs It's Time To Repair Your Soffit And Fascia

What Are Soffit And Fascia?

When talking about your home's soffit and fascia, the first and most important thing to understand is what they are, and how they help protect your home. Soffit protects your roof from mold, mildew, and ice damage, and covers the exposed rafters to protects your home from rainwater and rodents. Another important function of soffit is to provide your attic with proper ventilation. Fascia is a vertical finishing edge that connects to the area where your gutter attaches to the roof, and its primary role is to protect the wooden board from water damage. Together, soffit and fascia protect your home and your roof from water and pests by creating an enclosed space. 

Now that you know the function and importance of soffit and fascia, it's also important to know the signs to look for that can tell you it's time for repairs. Because these elements play such a crucial role in keeping your home safe from pests and the elements, you want to make sure they are always in tip top shape!

Cracking Or Flaking Paint

In most cases, fascia is made of wood, so when the paint starts to crack or peel it's a sign that you need to take a closer look at how your fascia is holding up. Once the paint begins to crack, it creates an opening that can allow water to gain access. If water and moisture begin to get in, it can cause problems like wood rot that can spread into other important elements of your roof, like the decking, rafters and trusses. Because of the damage that poorly maintained fascia can cause, if you see peeling paint it's important to try and diagnose the cause right away. If it's localized to a certain spot, it may be caused by a leaky gutter, but if it's all over, you may want to call in a professional roofer to come and take a look.

Leaking Or Unsupported Gutters

Gutters leaking or looking like they aren't securely attached to your home are one of the first signs that your soffit and fascia may be suffering. If your gutters aren't functioning properly that means water has direct access to your soffit and fascia, and if this problem persists you'll have way bigger issues down the line.

Poor Ventilation

One of the most important functions of your soffit and fascia is keeping air flowing through your attic. If your attic is not getting the proper ventilation, the problem is almost certainly with the fascia and soffit. Your attic needs to stay cool and dry to prevent water and moisture from building up and gaining access to the most structurally important components of your roof. If there is moist air in your attic, you need to check you soffit for anything that may be impeding air flow. 

Pests

Pests are enough of a problem on their own, and can cause all sorts of damage to a home. If you have pests, whether it be bugs or rodents - especially in your attic, it's important to have your soffit and fascia looked at. Soffit and fascia are your homes best defense against these critters, and if they are gaining access to your home, damage to your soffit and fascia could certainly be the cause. It's best to get any sort of damage repaired in a timely manner to help keep your home pest free.

Excess Moisture

When your soffit and fascia need to be repaired, another telltale sign is moisture damage. If you visually inspect your soffit and fascia and see discolored areas or water marks - it's time to have them looked at to see where the problem is coming from, and have it repaired before water wreaks havoc on your roofing system.

Visible Damage

If you see missing pieces of the soffit or fascia, or your rain gutters look like they are coming away from your house, it's definitely time to call in an experienced roofing contractor. When the damage is visible to the naked eye, it means there could already be big problems, or that big problems are on the horizon. It's a good idea to visually inspect your home on a regular basis, so that damage doesn't go unnoticed for long.

Risks Of Not Repairing Your Soffit And Fascia

We've said it before and we'll say it again, soffit and fascia play an extremely important role in protecting your home and your roof from all sorts of problems. Left unaddressed, soffit and fascia damage can lead to mold, roof rot, and pest infestation - all of which leave your home vulnerable to a host of other issues. Mold can cause health issues, and erosion of your roofing system. Roof rot affects the structural integrity of your roof, and can cause major issues like roof sag or even a total collapse if it gets bad enough. Pests can damage wiring and insulation, and leave behind toxic excrement. 

If you think you may be in need of repair for your soffit and fascia, we offer free 30 minute inspections at Colony Roofers. We're always happy to come out and take a look at any issues you think you may be experiencing, and we have a team of experienced and dedicated professionals ready to answer any questions you may have. Call us today!