IMPORTANCE OF SOFFITS, FASCIAS AND GUTTERS – Family Roofing

Posted on by David Reid

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At Family Roofing, we take great pride in our experience, expertise, quality and customer service. It is our mission to provide excellent workmanship and complete customer satisfaction from start to completion of a project. Our reputation is based on service, safety and quality, regardless of how large or small the job.

 

 

IMPORTANCE OF SOFFITS, FASCIAS AND GUTTERS

A crucial part of your home’s roofing system is your soffits, fascia and guttering.  They all play an important role in protecting your roof and walls from moisture, potential water damage and even pests.  If these items are damaged, repairing or replacing them will improve the aesthetics of your home, increase its value and ensure your home is well protected from the elements.

What are soffits?

Soffits are the exposed surface beneath the overhanging section of your roof’s eave.  They sit between the outer edge of your roof and the adjacent wall of the house.  One of their main functions is to provide ventilation and air circulation for the attic through little holes, working with your rooftop vents to draw moisture out of your attic.  If it can’t do its job, moisture can build up and cause rot and damage in your attic.

Newer soffits are typically made of vinyl and are able to resist all kinds of weather.  Your older home may have inherited wooden soffits, which are more likely to rot and decay.  If that’s the case, you should have them replaced.

 

What are fascia?

Fascia is another important aspect of your roofing system.  They are the finishing edge on your roof that is connected to the area where the rafters end and where the gutter is attached.  In essence, the fascia’s job is to act as a protective layer between the edge of your roof and outside.

Older fascia could have been made from wood, which over the years has likely suffered rot and decay.  New fascia is made of vinyl, which is durable and resistant to moisture.  Not only does your fascia help protect and seal the roof and inside of your home from the weather, it also plays a big role in how your home looks, giving it a clean finish.

What are gutters?

Gutter catch rain and melted snow that runs off of your roof and directs it along the edge of your roof to your downspouts, moving the water away from your home.  If your gutters are clogged or damaged, all of that water will run down the side of your walls.  This could cause water damage to your walls or pool in the areas around your house, possibly causing a leak in the basement.  Having a good gutter system is one of the best things you can do to prevent water from ever entering your home.  Plus, gutters that are detaching from the roof or damaged will make your home look shabby and unkept.

Soffit, Fascia and Gutter Replacement

If you have an older home and you’ve noticed that your soffits, fascia and gutters are worn out, detaching from your home or damaged, you should replace them in order to protect your roof and your home from potential water damage.  Here are some signs you should replace them:

Sections of rot on your fascia and/or soffits.  You can detect rot by looking for sags in your roofline.  Rot can spread throughout your roof and even provide an attractive home for insects or other pests.  It’s best to replace those old wooden materials with new vinyl soffits and fascia.

The gutters are obviously leaking.  Sometimes clogs in your gutters can cause water to pool in your gutters and in the winter time the repetitive freezing and thawing will cause them to break. They will have to be replaced.

Your soffits, fascia and gutters are obviously in disrepair.  Soffits can sag or become detached from the overhanging eave and gutters can separate from the home. If that is the case then they are definitely not doing their job and will need to be replaced.