We spend so much of our time cleaning the inside of our homes that we tend to forget about the outside. The front of your house is the first thing people see, so a dirty and grimy front doesn’t make the best impression.
Soffits and fascias are often overlooked, even though they play an important role in protecting your home’s roofline and maintaining its neat appearance.
Cleaning your soffits and fascias not only keeps your house looking fresh from the outside, it also helps you see early warning signs of damage and remove the build up of mould growth.
In this article we take a closer look at:
- What are fascias and soffits?
- How to clean soffits and fascias?
- How to remove mold from soffits and fascias?
What are fascias and soffits boards?
Fascia
The fascia board is a long board that holds the guttering and runs along the underneath edge of the roof.
Soffits
The soffit board is the main element people see from street level.
The soffit board is attached to the bottom of the fascia board and is often ventilated to allow air to flow through the roof area.
Poor ventilation can cause timber decay as condensation forms in the roof void.
Cleaning soffits and fascias
With a pressure washer
Your soffits and fascias can be a stubborn place to clean but a pressure washer can make the job of cleaning them much easier.
So how can you use a pressure washer to make your soffits and fascias looking brand new?
Step 1
Before you get started soaping up your soffits and fascias, first soak them with clean water, rinsing away all debris and dirt.
Use a low pressure nozzle to begin with to avoid spraying dirt and debris into your soffit vents.
Step 2
For a thorough clean, you will need to use detergent after your initial rinse.
When applying the detergent, fill your tank with detergent.
Dilute the detergent according to the instruction on the bottle if you’re using concentrated detergent.
Turn your tank on and ensure that your pressure washer has the spray tip on.
Start spraying your soffits and fascias.
Step 3
Let the detergent do its thing while you change your nozzle to high pressure.
Make sure you turn your tank off and spray towards a safe place to get rid of any excess detergent still in the nozzle.
Starting at the point where you applied the detergent, spray in the same direction.
For an even finish, spray steadily along your soffits and fascias, removing all dirt and detergent from them.
When you have finished, switch the nozzle back to low pressure and rinse your soffits and fascias for a final clean.
Without a pressure washer
What if you don’t have a pressure washer?
Not to worry, your garden hose can do just the job.
Step 1
Start by mixing ½ a cup of washing up liquid or detergent to 2 gallons of warm water in a bucket.
To help kill mildew, add two tablespoons of bleach and mix.
Step 2
Prop up a ladder in a position where you can ideally reach both your soffit and fascia so you can clean them at the same time.
Make sure that your ladder is in a stable position before climbing it.
Get a large sponge and soak it in the bucket. Then scrub your soffit and fascia (in the direction of your house).
Focus on areas that usually hold more dirt in their groves.
Work on the areas that you are able to reach from your ladder.
Step 3
Next, you will want to attach a squeeze trigger nozzle on to the end of your garden hose and turn the pressure on high.
Rinse the areas of your fascia and soffit that you scrubbed until all the detergent and bleach has been rinsed away.
Step 4
Move your ladder to the next position and repeat the scrubbing and rinsing process until all of your soffit and fascia has been cleaned.
How to remove mould from soffits and fascias?
Removing mould from your soffit and fascia requires a little more effort.
If mould is left, not only does it not look good, but it can cause your fascia or soffit to rot. What’s more, it can even contribute to your roof’s timber rotting.
Here is how to remove mould from soffits and fascias:
Step 1
Start by mixing three parts bleach to one part warm water per gallon in a bucket.
One bucket is enough to cover 30 to 50 square feet.
Step 2
Position a ladder in a stable position where you are able to reach both the soffit and fascia.
Use a stiff brush and dip it into the bleach solution. Firmly scrub areas affected by mould.
Step 3
Move your ladder to the next position and repeat the scrubbing process until all areas affected by mould have been disinfected.
Step 4
Allow the soffit and fascia to dry.
Step 5
Within a week, inspect the disinfected area to check for mould. If it has not been removed successfully, repeat the disinfecting process until all the mould has been removed.
uPVC soffits and fascias
Timber soffits and fascias can be difficult to maintain and are vulnerable to rot.
Replacing your timber soffits and fascias with uPVC soffits and fascias can not only improve the appearance of your home but will make it much easier to clean and maintain.
When switching to uPVC soffit and fascia boards, it’s important to choose an installer you can trust.
At Progress Windows, we only install the finest products.
Our uPVC soffit and fascia boards will never rot, warp or flake and are designed to last.
We are focused on delivering a quality installation and supplying the highest quality products.
If you’re looking for new or replacement uPVC soffit or fascia boards in Leicestershire, get in touch.