The fascia on your roof is one of the most important aspects of your home. You may not think about it a lot, but the fascia handles some really important things regarding the sturdiness of your roof. It also provides an aesthetic to your home, making it important to keep it in good shape.
To inspect your fascia roof effectively, pay attention to any signs of rotting, gutter sagging, mold, or discoloration. You will also need to be on the lookout for signs of pest damage or chipped paint. Inspecting your fascia two to three times a year can help you avoid issues with your fascia. If you do need to repair or replace it, you can expect to pay around $6 to $20, depending on the material.
This guide will cover many of the different aspects of your fascia roof and how you can keep it in tip-top shape.
Why Is Fascia Important To Your Home?
Your roof’s fascia is what connects your roof to your rafters, trusses, or gutter attachments that are formed by the horizontal finishing edge. You can see a little bit of it under the overhang. Usually, fascia is made from wood or a non-corrosive metal sheet. In addition to covering the roof’s rafters, the horizontal board also holds the rain gutters.
Besides protecting wooden boards and siding from damage, fascia also blocks rain, snow, sleet, and other potential threats to the roof. Fascias are standard on houses built since the 1950s, but some older houses don’t have them.
You need to regularly inspect your roofing fascia if you have one. If you don’t, you might lose curb appeal and roof integrity. A well-maintained fascia makes your roof’s edge more even-looking and water-tight.
Next, we will talk about the different causes of damage to Fascia. This will be important for knowing why inspection is important.
Causes Of Damage To Fascia
There are several common causes of damage to a fascia. These include moisture damage, sun damage, or pest damage. It’s easy for rot and humidity to spread across the roof, causing serious damage. It’s easier to damage fascia than soffits when gutters get clogged and water spills.
A worn-out fascia board will no longer hold gutter fasteners in place, causing the gutters to separate from the roof. Excessive exposure to rain or snow will increase the chances of having these types of issues.
Fascia, which protects your home from weather elements, is vulnerable year-round. The fascia boards deteriorate as your roof ages. There’s a risk of wet and dry rot on the fascia, as well as sun damage. A split in the wood, pest damage, and decay are all potential problems.
It’s important to check your roof fascia often to catch any of these problems before they get worse. Water leaks or damaged fascia will cause more damage to your home if you ignore them.
The cost of heating and cooling can also go up if the fascia is damaged. You’ll stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter when you have fascia in your home. Keep an eye on your fascia if you notice your utility bills going up!
Next, we will cover some common inspection tips that can help you identify issues you may be having. This can help you catch problems early enough that they do not cause other issues in the future.
6 Inspection Tips For Fascia
The following inspection tips can help you determine when there are issues with your fascia. Study these tips carefully so you know what to look for during your next inspection.
Look For Chipped Paint
Changing temperatures, water damage, or aging can cause cracks or chips in the fascia board. It’s better to replace the whole fascia board if it’s cracked.
Discoloration Or Mold May Be Present
Be on the lookout for mold, algae, or mildew. Fascia boards that get wet regularly can get infected with these three growths. The fascia board could also get infected with mold and fungus from the roof. The same thing might happen with black algae stains.
Look For Rotted Wood
Rotted wood is another serious sign that your fascia needs to be repaired or replaced. If the root rots enough, it may end up affecting the structural integrity of your entire roof. This makes it one of the key things to look for when checking your fascia for damage.
Gutters Are Sagging
If your gutters or roof is sagging, this is a likely indicator that the fascia is rotted or damaged. The fascia will need to be in good shape to handle the weight of the gutter. If you notice the gutter sagging, this is a strong indicator that the fascia is damaged and needs to be repaired or replaced.
Signs Of Pest Damage
You’d be surprised at how determined some animals can be to get into your attic. Your fascia board may get chewed on, or tiny gaps between it and the roof may get worse. Termites can also get into fascia boards.
Inspect At Least 2 to 3 Times A Year
To be on the safe side, you need to inspect the fascia at least two or three times a year. This will give you the best chance to catch any issues early so you don’t wind up noticing issues before it is too late.
Fascia Materials And Cost To Replace
The sections below will cover the different costs associated with replacing the fascia based on the material. There are a lot of different materials for fascia and soffit boards, each with its own uses and price ranges. A soffit board is typically sold by the 12-foot section, while a fascia board is usually by the linear foot.
There’s a $40 to $80 hourly rate for roofers and related pros. It’ll cost between $6 and $20 per linear foot to replace the fascia and $1.50 to $3 per square foot to replace the soffit.
The total labor cost is also affected by accessibility. The cost of labor will go up 7 to 15% if your roof is complicated or you can’t reach the boards.
Aluminum
In the same way as composite boards, aluminum boards are difficult to install and pretty pricey, but they’re durable, low maintenance, and last for a long time. The cost of aluminum fascia boards is $8 to $20 per linear foot, and for aluminum soffit boards, it’s $10 to $22. In addition, you’ll need to factor in labor costs since aluminum is heavy.
Wood
A fascia and soffit board is most likely made of wood since wood is easy to install, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing. Also, wood boards can be repaired, while other materials must be replaced when damaged. You should keep in mind that wood is also very susceptible to various types of damage. A 12-foot section of wooden fascia costs $14 to $22, while a 12-foot section of wooden soffit costs $14 to $3.
Composite
Boards made from composites are made from recycled wood chips, sawdust, and epoxy resin. Even though these boards are tough, rot-resistant, and colorfast, they’re expensive and hard to install. A 12-foot section of composite soffit board costs $12 to $20, while a linear foot of composite fascia board costs $2 to $8.
Vinyl
A lot of people prefer vinyl boards because they’re easy to maintain and don’t rot. Furthermore, termites and other invasive insects don’t usually like the material as a meal choice. For a 12-foot section of vinyl fascia board, it’s $5 to $8. For a 12-foot section of vinyl soffit board, it’s $14 to $23.
How Much Will Fascia Repair Or Replacement Cost?
It’s free to get an estimate from a soffit and fascia professional, so you know how much work needs to be done. You might want to repair some boards while replacing others, depending on the complexity of your roof.
There are linear foot prices for fascia and soffit boards. To make it look like you didn’t piecemeal the repairs together, experts recommend replacing pieces that are at least 8 feet long. It usually costs between $6 and $20 per linear foot to install or repair fascia and soffit, depending on the materials you use.
DIY fascia and soffit repairs or replacements can save you money if you’re good at them. For fascia board repair, these savings add up to $6 to $20 per linear foot, and for soffit board repair, they add up to $1.50 to $3. The materials still need to be sourced and purchased, and you’ll need plenty of high-powered tools for the job, such as a circular saw for cutting fascia, a nail gun, sealant, and a sturdy ladder.
Ruben has a diverse background in the home services industry, with experience running a construction company, a kitchen and bath showroom, and a moving and relocation company. This breadth of experience has provided him with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in various areas of home improvement in general and specifically in the heating and plumbing niche.