You may not have even heard of your soffits and fascias but you would have definitely seen them. Along with your guttering, they play an important role in protecting your roof from whatever the elements throw at them.
So, when something goes wrong it is crucial that they are fixed in order to prevent any further damage to your roofline.
But what are some of the things to look out for when it comes to your soffits, fascias and guttering and how can you resolve things if they were to go wrong?
In this article, we take a closer look at some of the common issues homeowners face with their soffits, fascias and guttering and, more importantly, how to fix them.
What are soffits?
Sitting between the outer edges of your roof and the wall of your home, a soffit is a covering that helps to protect and seal the rafter feet.
Soffits come in a range of materials, the most popular being uPVC, as they are hardwearing and cope well with exposure to moist. Wooden soffits are also an option but are more susceptible to rotting and, therefore, can put the structure of your roof at risk.
What are fascias?
A fascia is a long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of your roof. The fascia supports the guttering and helps seal the roof whilst providing protection for the interior of your home against the elements. Not only are fascias integral to the structure of your roof but they are also used for cosmetic purposes as they are much more aesthetically pleasing than exposed rafters.
What is guttering?
Guttering is more likely something that you have heard of. The role of your guttering is to collect rainwater and control its flow towards your downpipe so that it can be drained away.
Common soffits, fascias and guttering issues and their solutions
- Peeling and flaking paint
A more cosmetic issue than a structural one but chipping and flaking paint can leave your soffits and fascias looking far from their best. This is more of a problem when it comes to timber soffits and fascias as they are more vulnerable to weather conditions.
Solution:
By sanding and repainting your soffits and fascias as soon as you notice peeling paint will prevent it from worsening further. This process will have to be repeated year after year as timber soffits and fascias will most likely to continue to flake and peel due to harsh weather conditions. Another solution is to replace your wooden soffits and fascias with uPVC ones as they are more weather resistant.
- Problems with rot and damp
If parts of your fascias and soffits are starting to rot or show signs of damp then, if left unchecked, this can be a serious problem as this is most likely to spread quickly to your roof. This, again, is a more common issue with wooden soffits and fascias.
Solution:
it is important that you replace your soffits and fascias as soon as you can see signs of rot or damp to prevent the problem from spreading and causing damage to the integrity of your roof.
Guttering
- Clogged Gutter
One of the biggest issues that homeowners face in terms of their gutters is that they are clogged – the common cause is a build-up of excess debris. A clogged gutter can be detrimental to your guttering as it means that water isn’t able to drain properly. This can be a serious issue as it runs the risk of water overflowing into the roof of your home.
Solution:
The most obvious and simple solution is to climb a ladder and remove the excess debris by hand. In order to ensure that your guttering is now draining correctly, you can use a garden hose to test them.
Regularly clearing your guttering of debris will prevent them from clogging up in the first place. We recommend once a year – or more if there is a storm.
- Leaking Guttering
There are a number of reasons why your gutters are leaking – the most common is that there are holes and gaps in it. It is easy to tell if your guttering is leaking as water will be pouring from the middle of them.
Solution:
You can use a gutter sealant to fill any small holes. A tube of gutter sealant is relatively inexpensive and is quite simple to use.
If the holes are much bigger, however, you can use patches to cover them. In order to prevent these patches from eroding away, it is important that they are the same material as your original guttering.
Problem 3: Sagging Gutters
In most cases, the hangers that attach your gutters to your house are able to support the weight and the water passing through it. However, if your gutters become blocked, this can make it too heavy for the hangers and can result in your gutters sagging away from the wall.
Solution:
The first thing you can do to fix a sagging gutter is to try screwing them back in place with fasteners.
However, if the hangers are past the point of repair, it is important that you replace them with new hangers and fasteners. There is no need to panic as these are both cheap and simple to fit.
Progress Windows
It is never ideal for your soffits, fascias and guttering to show problems but as you can see in some cases the problems are simple and easy to fix.
With that being said, regular maintenance of your roofline is important to spot any damage before they are unrepairable.
However, despite your best efforts, sometimes the damage to your soffits, fascias and gutters is beyond repair and will have to be replaced. If this is the case, you should choose a trusted guttering supplier and installer in order to ensure a quality installation.
At Progress Windows, quality is at the heart of everything we do which is why we have invested so much in ensuring that all of our products and services are of the first-class standard. For the last 10 years, we have been busy building a prestigious reputation as a home improvement specialist. By trusting Progress Windows to carry out any roofline repair or replacement to your home, you can rest assured that your home is in safe and capable hands.
If you’re looking to replace either your soffits, fascias, guttering or even your entire roofline, get in touch with us and a member of our team will be happy to help.