How Often Should You Replace Fascia and Soffits?
Fascia and soffits are integral to the structure of a property. They protect the roof and keep water, condensation and damp out of the home. Without fascia and soffits, every home owner would have frequent problems with their roof, tiles, roof void and guttering and nobody wants that.
But why do homeowners take fascia and soffits for granted?
Many people don’t notice them, let alone understand what they do. While they tend to last for years, fascia and soffits do need replacing, so every homeowner eventually needs to recognise the signs of wear and tear.
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Replacement of UPVC Roofline | New Fascia and Soffits
How Do I Know When To Replace My Fascia and Soffits?
There are 7 signs that will let you understand when it is time for new fascia and soffits:
- Soft patches in wood, which means rot or holes are appearing
- Crackled, flaking paint, which is a general sign of age
- Evidence of animals and rodents; mice, rats and squirrels can take up home in the smallest of openings and be a sign your roofline is deteriorating
- Evidence of asbestos used in existing fascia and soffits, which is a sign you need a specialist to investigate the construction
- Water in the roof void, which proves something is leaking
- Evidence of condensation – always something to worry about
- Lack of ventilation
When faced with rotting fascia boards, a homeowner has the following options to make the house look good again:
- Cladding the existing fascia boards with UPVC panels – this is the cheapest option but if the fascia boards are falling apart the cladding won’t hold. Cladding could be an option for new timber fascia boards to protect them against wet weather.
- The second option is to rip out the weather damaged fascia boards and replace them with new timber fascias. If you love painting and maintaining your fascias then this could be an option for you. Timbers will require preservative treatment before putting up.
- The recommended option is to replace wooden fascias with UPVC fascia board because UPVC requires very minimal maintenance and is weatherproof and therefore durable.
How Often Should I Replace My Fascia And Soffits?
The frequency of replacement and repair differs according to the state of the existing roofline and the materials the fascia and soffits are made from.
More regular checks are needed in older homes, properties which haven’t had much in the way of maintenance, or where the homeowner has chosen wood for the fascia and soffits. They can last for many years, but neglect will always take its toll.
We would recommend using uPVC soffits and fascia as they can be easily kept.
If you have just bought a property and the fascia and soffits contain asbestos, you absolutely must get them looked at by a specialist company with experience of proper removal.
Do not do this yourself.
If you can see holes or cracks in the boards, this is also the time to look at replacement. If you decide to ignore the signs, then I’m afraid the bill will only increase, particularly if there’s water ingress and damage to the structure of the roof.
If there’s confirmation of any animal habitation, you need to get a quote sooner rather than later as their nesting will lead to further damage.
Complementary Work To Be Done With Fascias And Soffits Replacements
If you are spending money getting your fascias and soffits replaced, you might as well have any complementary work done at the same time.
Examples of this work include:
- Repair and replacement of guttering.
- Installation and repair of rainwater downpipes.
- Roof tile repairs and replacements while you have scaffolding for easy roof access.
- Minor repairs such as cement pointing or repairs to roof rafters.
Getting quotes for all the extra work you need doing is very important because you will know how much the whole project will cost, and if you have the budget for it
Talk To A Company You Can Trust: Recommended Roofline Installers
If you think your fascia and soffits need replacing, talk to a company you can trust. LC Joinery Roofing and Building Work have a team of experts ready to help assess the state of your roofline and suggest the necessary work.
We will also provide a comprehensive quote and survey, and will carry out the tasks with no fuss or hidden fees. Don’t wait until the worst happens.
