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Why Do Fascia Boards Rot?
The fascia boards are the vertical boards that cover the ends of rafters and are usually where gutters are mounted. They are typically made of wood (though they can also be made of composite, vinyl, or fiber cement, among other materials), which makes them vulnerable to rotting. While there are other factors that contribute to rot, two of the most common are improper installation of gutters and drip edges — the latter being the type of flashing installed at the roof’s edge. Poor installation can leave holes or cracks in the fascia that exposes the bare wood to moisture, which can later result in rot. Lack of maintenance can result in blistered and peeling paint on the fascia boards, which can also expose the boards to moisture.
What Happens When You Have Rotten Fascia Boards?
Rotten fascia boards can directly affect your gutters. Most types of gutter systems are fastened to the fascia, and if the boards are rotten, the gutters are at a higher risk of falling off the roof. This problem can also create openings in the roof where rainwater can get into the attic, through the walls, and down to the house foundations.
How to Prevent Rotten Fascia Boards
Fortunately, you can protect your fascia boards from rot by regularly inspecting your roof, ideally at least once a year. Visual inspections are fairly easy to do — simply use a pair of binoculars to inspect the roof, taking note of problems like damaged or missing components, as well as the condition of the fascia boards. Just as important is having your licensed roofing contractor fix such problems as soon as possible. If your roof has rotten fascia boards, one of the things you should not do is try to fix it yourself. In addition to the high risk of injury, you also risk voiding your roof and gutter warranties. Instead, leave the repair work to roofing professionals.
Improper Roof Installation
One of the well-known causes of rot on fascia boards is old roofing or an improperly installed roofing system. If the architecture of your roofing system is a little imperfect, it can lead to misplaced or damaged shingles that could allow water to flow against the walls and run down, causing water damage to your fascia. Eventually, it leads to decay after a long period of exposure to water.
Storm Damage
Due to its location, fascia boards and other roof fascia types are consistently exposed and considerably weaker than the other parts of the roof. As a result, it’s exceptionally susceptible to wind-driven rain during a storm. Over time, your fascia will start to rot because of this prolonged exposure to rainwater. You need to call your local roofer and request a storm damage repair service to fix the issue.
Gutter Issues
If gutters are mounted on the fascia board incorrectly, it can also cause some water damaged for a few reasons. Gutter seams, corner mitres, and end caps can allow water to easily pass through. If you fail to do some regular cleaning and maintenance on your roof, your gutters could easily get clogged, and water can overflow. If your gutter can’t contain the amount of water coming from a high-volume area, it will definitely start to overflow.
Clogged Downspouts
As gutters have a risk of being clogged due to debris, rocks, or fallen leaves, downspouts have a tendency to do the same as they are connected. Clogged downspouts can even cause your gutters to overflow, resulting in water damage to the fascia board. Leaves, debris, sticks, and even rocks can easily get stuck inside, obstructing the water flowing from the gutter. On the other hand, underground drains can also get clogged. This is especially true if they were installed in a more level fashion, not allowing water to flow.
Clogged downspouts will also cause the gutter to overflow resulting in water damage to the fascia board. Usually the downspout is clogged with leaves and debris. Sticks and larger objects get stuck in the downspout which can cause smaller items to get clogged. Unexpected items such as tennis balls, golf balls, and other objects can get stuck in the gutter causing it to back up instantly. Underground drains can also clog, especially if they were installed in a more level fashion not allowing the water to flow.
Roof Installation and Architecture Problems
Fascia boards begin to rot primarily because the roof was installed incorrectly. It may also be because the roof is old, or because it has been damaged. If mold, mildew, or algae grows on your roof, it can attract sunlight and cause the overall temperature of your home and roof to increase. Over time, this destroys your shingles which can allow water inside your home and around your fascia boards depending on where the shingles were damaged. If this occurs, we recommend calling a professional who is equipped to eliminate organic material from your roof. Poorly designed architectural design or damaged or misplaced shingles can allow water to flow against walls and run down causing damage.
WHERE ARE YOUR FASCIA BOARDS?
Most people don’t think a lot about the anatomy of their gutters: they just try to clean them every so often and make sure that they don’t leak very much. However, if you ignore the different parts of your roof and gutters, it’s like missing a key point on your health checkup. Your gutters could be working well, but if your fascia boards are rotten, that’s a problem.
Your fascia boards are the long boards the run just under the roof. Your gutters sit right next to them. The fascia is attached to the end of the roof and supports the lower edge of the bottom row of roof tiles. It is also hard at work supporting your gutters and everything that they contain.
TAKING CARE OF YOUR FASCIA BOARDS
Fascia boards are a vulnerable part of your roof. If there are problems with your roof or your gutters, they bear the brunt. If there is a particularly intense rainfall, they’re responsible for supporting your gutters.
How can you take care of your fascia boards?
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Make sure that you choose excellent products. If the fascia board products you use are prone to rot, then that could be a serious problem a few years down the road.
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Use galvanized nails. Make sure that you reduce any of the possible ways that rot and water could get into the boards. If your nails are degrading in the weather, this is a problem.
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Don’t nail them in a way that will split the board over time. Roofers should know this and ensure that fascia boards are well-secured and not nailed too close to the end or at a strange angle that will lead to splitting and rot.
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Paint them when possible or add wood hardener. Painting your boards, at least at the ends, provides a coating that can help to prevent rot.
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Prevent leaking gutters that send water out all sides of the gutter, damaging your fascia and your landscaping. Clean them regularly or attach a gutter guard.
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Inspect the boards regularly when you check your roof, so that there are no surprises. You may identify rotted and damaged fascia boards by using a screwdriver and pressing against the suspected areas.