Soffits and fascia boards both play an important role in the functioning of your roof and gutter system, as well as the overall appearance of the home. Soffits are located under the gutter system, between the roof and siding of your home. Soffits are helpful in maintaining a comfortable temperature inside the home. Hot, humid air goes out the soffits, and cool dry air is attracted into the soffit. Fascia boards play a more aesthetic role, located along the overhang of your roof to make it look finished and improve the curb appeal of the home. You should inspect your soffits and fascia boards twice a year at the same time that you clean out your gutters. If you notice any of these signs during the inspection, you’re probably due for a replacement!
Inspecting Soffits and Fascia Boards
You can inspect your soffits and fascia boards in two ways. First, is from the inside of your attic. Go into the attic and look for signs of water leaking around the seal of the soffit. If you see daylight shining through around the seal, that’s another telltale sign that there’s something wrong. You can get a better look at both the soffits and the fascia board from the outside of your home while you clean the gutters. Look for signs of damage or missing pieces and note your findings as you go.
Signs it’s Time to Replace
During your outdoor inspection, some of the warning signs you need to look out for include:
- Mold or algae growing on the wood
- Rotted wood
- Any missing fascia boards
- Sagging areas of the fascia board
- Bite marks on the wood or soffit seal
- Cracks in the wood or seals
- Missing paint
Some of these may sound like purely aesthetic issues that don’t impact the function of the soffits or fascia boards, but that couldn’t be more wrong! Any of those signs are an indication that your home is at risk of water damage, animals entering the home, and mold growth inside the home. Catching the problem early and at the source is much more cost effective than discovering it once it’s become a full-blown issue of water damage inside the home.
Contact Us Today
If you notice any of these signs during your inspection, our team at L.I. Metal Systems is happy to assist with your fascia or soffit board installation needs! You can reach out to our team by calling us today at (800) 624-3998 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your gutter installation needs!