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Everything You Should Know About Soffit and Fascia Boards

Everything You Should Know About Soffit and Fascia Boards

If you own a property, soffit and fascia boards are likely a part of your life, although you might not realize it.

Soffit and fascia are crucial components in the exterior of your home. They perform many critical functions which protect your property from damage while giving it a finished and complete appearance.

But what happens when these essential boards become damaged? How do you know when they have suffered damage? What can you do to maintain them? And, while we’re asking questions, what is soffit and fascia anyway? 

Today, we’re answering all of your questions regarding soffit and fascia. Continue reading to learn more below.

What Are Soffit and Fascia Boards?

Soffit and fascia boards are parts of most homes. You probably see them every day; you just might not know what they are! A common reaction to hearing these unusual words is, “Huh? What did you say? What’s that?” This is entirely understandable since most people don’t use their technical names when describing their houses. 

In short, soffits and fascias are two highly essential components of your roof. They extend past your exterior walls and are often referred to as the “roofline.” They can be made of various materials; most often, they’re made of aluminum or vinyl.

Fascia boards are typically perpendicular to your roof and are usually where your gutter system attaches to your roof. Soffit boards are parallel to the ground and run underneath your roof overhang — they are the part that you see when standing next to your exterior walls and looking straight up. You will typically find that the bottom boards of your roofline are ventilated; however, sometimes, these vents are located on top of the sideboard.

Why Are Soffit and Fascia Boards So Important?

While soffits and fascias are an essential part of the design and finished look of your property, they also perform some extremely important functions, including:

  • Preventing moisture from getting into your attic and causing damage to the rafters.
  • Venting out excess moisture and heat from your attic.
  • Keeping out squirrels, insects, and other creatures from entering your roof.

If any of these functions were to fail, the consequences your home could face could be detrimental, not to mention extremely expensive and time-consuming to repair. Each of these functions is essential; however, the second one might be the most important since wood in damp, dark, and warm places — like your attic — is subject to mold and rot.

How Do Soffit and Fascia Boards Become Damaged?

One of the most common causes of damage to your soffit and fascia is overflowing gutters. While we haven’t formally surveyed homeowners, we feel it’s safe to say that everyone dislikes cleaning their gutter system. 

Debris and clogs can prevent your gutters from adequately functioning and can begin to overflow, resulting in damage to your roofline. Dead leaves, dirt, pine needles, animal nests, and more make it very difficult for water to be directed away from our homes. 

The water has nowhere to go except down the exterior of your home. Since gutters are attached directly to your fascia, these boards are the first to experience unwanted moisture. Moreover, if your gutters become too heavy, they can fall and cause parts of the fascia to break away.

Another common cause of damage is extreme weather. Storms can send strong gusts of wind up towards your eaves and blow rain, snow, and other moisture into your soffit vents. This water can pool inside of your roof if it cannot evaporate.

When winter months settle in, so do pests. Squirrels, rodents, insects, and other critters can force their way through your soffit to your warm attic, resulting in damage.

Signs Your Soffit and Fascia Boards are Damaged

Here are some signs that your soffits and fascias might be damaged:

  • Chipped, peeling, or flaking paint or finish
  • Excess condensation and other ventilation issues
  • Discolored boards
  • Leaking, sagging, or damaged gutters
  • Rodent or insect infestations or nests
  • Overworking air conditioning unit

How to Keep Your Soffit and Fascia Boards in Good Condition

If you have noticed your soffits, fascias, gutters, and other parts of your roofline becoming damaged, it’s wise to call a professional as soon as possible to prevent further damage. A knowledgeable professional will be able to thoroughly check their condition and give their expert opinion on how to move forward. 

When it comes to your roofline, DIY jobs are not ideal. An expert will be able to track the issue to its source and irradiate it, rather than just applying a band-aid solution that doesn’t address the root cause.

Another way to keep your fascia and soffit in great shape is to keep your rain gutters clean and make repairs whenever necessary. While cleaning your gutter system is a time-consuming chore, it’s one of the best things you can do for your home and surrounding property. If you don’t feel confident climbing a ladder, don’t have time, or simply don’t want to, you can always call in a professional to get the job done for you.

Trust Mountain States Windows & Siding to Care For Your Soffit and Fascia Boards!

If you want to learn more about soffit and fascia boards or are looking for a trusted crew to install or repair your soffits and fascias, contact the professionals at Mountain States Windows & Siding. 

Whether you need new siding, soffit, fascia, windows, and more, our experienced team can help. We can also help you with your kitchen or bathroom renovations. Our team has worked hard for our reputation of being an honest and hassle-free home improvement company. We strongly believe in providing our customers with more than just updated windows, siding, and more— we strive to ensure each of our projects runs smoothly. 

Contact our trusted team today to receive your estimate if you live in Salt Lake City, Park City, West Jordan, Lehi, Payson, or a surrounding area.

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