Your soffit and fascia may seem like purely aesthetic features, but they play an important role in protecting your home. The soffit protects your rafter and trusses from moisture and water invasion. They also keep your attic dry throughout the year. One of the most important reasons to keep your soffits in good shape is because they can stop mold and mildew from growing in moist habitats where the proliferation of bacteria will be more prevalent.
Your fascia has a couple of functions that are as important as the soffit. It stops water from getting into your attic at the root’s edge. They also play a role in the structural integrity of your entire roofing system. If you have a tile or slate roof, the fascia is the supporting edge for keeping the tiles aligned. The fascia also helps to maintain the eavestroughs that are attached to your home. This can help with water run-off during a rainstorm.
Here are some of the signs that your soffit and fascia need to be repaired.
#1: The Paint is Peeling, Cracking, or Flaking
The paint that has been applied to the fascia will give you a good indication of whether it has any problems. If the paint starts to peel, it creates an opening that will allow water to get through. Most fascias are made of wood. So, any moisture to which it has been exposed will cause it to rot, which will spread across the decking as well as into the rafters and trusses. If the paint on the fascia isn’t properly maintained, it can result in expensive repairs.
#2: Gutters That Leak or Lack Support
One of the first signs of fascia and soffit problems usually comes in the form of gutter problems. If they look like they’re not entirely secure, they aren’t. In fact, it’s the best time to replace both the fascia and soffit. Clogs or cracks in the gutters can also affect the fascia and soffit’s ability to perform, which is where the problems usually start.
#3: Pest Infestation
Bugs and rodents can damage your roofing system faster than all the other problems combined. Bugs can make their way in, breed, and turn a nice home into a habitat for unwanted pests. Rodents can gnaw at your home’s wiring and insulation. They can also leave excrement that can become a biohazard for a home’s residents, and it can turn the entire property into an unsightly mess. Your soffit acts as a proverbial sword and shield that can be used to stop pest invasions. So if it has become a recurring problem, look at your soffit and fascia for any signs of damage.
#4: Moisture Infiltration
A good way to identify moisture problems is to visually inspect the roof at the edge where the fascia and soffit meet. If you see any discolored areas or patches that look like water leaks, you must take care of them as soon as possible. Otherwise, water and moisture will spread throughout the inner roof structure, which can have a catastrophic effect on your building’s structural integrity. Wood rot will weaken your roof trusses and rafters to the point where they will no longer support the roof. Once that happens, it’s only a matter of time before it falls into the house.
#5: Ventilation Issues
Your soffit and fascia have many different tasks to perform, and one of them is to keep fresh air moving through your attic. Maintaining a cool and dry environment will prevent water and moisture accumulation, which is critical to your roof’s performance. Keeping your soffit free from any impediments will be helpful in the regulation of air circulation and will keep damp, moist air from getting into your attic.
#6: Obvious Signs of Water Damage
While you’re looking at your roof’s edge, there may be damage that’s visible to the naked eye. If you see problems that weren’t there weeks or months ago, it could be a sign that your soffit and fascia need to be repaired. Missing parts of either the fascia or soffit, rain gutters that are falling off, and a number of other obvious issues are signs that you need to contact a professional roofer to take care of the problem.
#7: Weird Noises
If you hear sounds that weren’t in your attic or roof structure before, you know there’s a problem. Rodents are usually the cause, which should tell you that the soffit and fascia need to be repaired or replaced. Your roof is an ideal environment for them, because they like to nest in narrow and dark spaces. So once you hear noises, you know that the fascia or soffit has been compromised.
If you’re looking for one of the best places for fascia and soffit repair in Corpus Christi, be sure to reach out to Bayfront Roofing.
