A Guid to Replacing Fascia, Soffits and Guttering
A Guide to Replacing Fascia, Soffit and Guttering By Roofers Devon
Fascia boards, soffit and guttering are an important part of any roof, but they are often overlooked. When checking a roof for signs of damage or wear, the tiles or roofing material is the first and sometimes only part of the roof that people check. The fascia board carries the guttering which is essential for drainage and holds the eaves slates and tiles in the correct place and protects the structural timbers. It’s no understatement to say that it is crucial to ensure the integrity of the property’s fascia and soffit. Replacement isn’t always necessary, so when is the right time to repair, and when is the right time to replace? Here explains Roofers Devon
Any signs of failing on the fascia, soffit, guttering or bargeboards should be checked by professionals to ensure these aren’t causing more significant damage to the timber and roof structures inside. Failures can appear at any time, so regular checks of the roofline are strongly advised. Depending on the materials of your roofline, damage and failings may appear in different ways, and this can determine whether it is repairable, or if a full fascia and soffit replacement is needed.
Wood
For traditional wooden fascia and soffits, look out for any rot, cracks, warping or significant discolouration that could be caused by water damage. If the fascia is painted and there is no damage visible, check that the paint can’t be easily broken through anywhere, as the wood underneath may have become damaged with little visible indication from the outside. If you have continued problems with your wooden roofline, and it has been repaired a number of times before, it may be time to consider a full fascia and soffit replacement, using a material that takes in less moisture, like uPVC.
UPVC Here explains Roofers Devon
With UPVC rooflines, check for warping, cracks and deformities, and look out for any leaks or sagging in guttering that could suggest damage or that water is pooling and not draining properly. Generally speaking, UPVC fascia and soffits are less prone to damage than their wooden counterparts, and a good clean and wipe down a couple of times a year will keep UPVC rooflines in good condition. Sometimes UPVC is used as cladding on wooden fascia to preserve them, but this is only useful if the wooden cladding is in good condition to begin with and cladding on top of a deteriorating fascia is a short-term fix at best.
Cast Iron
If your property has cast-iron guttering, look for cracked paint, rust and corrosion, as well as dripping joints. Small leaks in a joint may be repairable, but any larger leaks will require the joint to be removed and remade and replaced. Whilst cast iron guttering was often used for its longevity, all materials deteriorate over time. Thankfully, cast-iron guttering can be repaired by our expert Roofers Devon , but the earlier any damage is spotted, the less significant the repair work will have to be.
Guttering of any material should be chec
ked regularly to ensure no debris has accumulated, which could cause drainage problems, blockages, and unnecessary strain on the fascia to which they are attached. Keeping guttering clean is a simple way to reduce hefty repair costs. Inadequate ventilation can also cause roof damage. Ventilation can be installed into the soffit or above the fascia, but if there is no adequate ventilation, condensation will take hold inside the roof and leave the structural timber susceptible to rot and decay, so it is important to check your roofline is properly ventilated. Any fascia and soffit replacement should be carried out by professionals, to ensure that the damage is not causing more severe internal and structural issues.
