Toronto Homeowners Should Act Quickly to Repair or Replace Soffit and Fascia
When homeowners suspect or have visual evidence of a leak in their roof, they cannot be faulted if their first reaction, after that pit-of-the-stomach response of course, would be to assume that they need a roof replacement. While this might ultimately prove to be the best course of action, it is also possible that the source of the leak is not located on the surface of the roof at all.
Sometimes, the problem may lie with some of the lesser known parts of the overall roof structure such as the soffit and fascia, particularly if they are constructed from wood. These roof components are found below the actual surface of the roof and, due to their exposure to various weather elements, are susceptible to water damage and rotting.
For the purposes of identification and clarity, soffit and fascia can be defined as follows:
- Soffit is the exposed area or surface found under the overhanging portion of the roof eave – one of its functions is to assist in ventilation of the attic space of the home
- Fascia is the vertical finishing edge installed along the ends of the roof trusses or rafters – it is the fascia to which the gutters are most commonly attached as well
There are several signs/indicators that the soffit and/or fascia may be in of need repair or replacement. These would include:
- Leaking gutters
- Visible mold or mildew stains
- Water stains on interior walls/ceilings
- Water overflowing behind the gutters
- Soft or rotting wood along the roof edges
If any such signs are evident, homeowners should act quickly to have the affected area or areas repaired to prevent more extensive water damage to their home/roof, not to mention the associated expense. Depending on the extent of the damage, soffit/fascia repair can be done in do-it-yourself fashion by any homeowners who may be so inclined, although it should be noted that the task can be somewhat comprehensive, independent of its scope.
From a rather general perspective, the steps involved in this process may/will consist of:
- Erecting proper scaffolding
- Removing a length of the gutter
- Removing all/part of the fascia board
- Cutting out the affected area of the soffit
- Examining rafters and removing soft/rotted portions
- Cutting all replacement pieces/sheets to the correct size
- Installing the replacement sections and applying any sealant
- Painting/staining repaired sections to match colour of the home
- Reinstalling the gutters and ensuring their correct slope for drainage
Clearly, the process can be more intricate than merely replacing a small piece of wood with a new and freshly-painted section. And there is always the safety aspect that must be considered whenever someone works on a ladder or scaffolding.
Therefore, from a personal safety standpoint, and to ensure that all steps of the process are implemented in an appropriate fashion, homeowners may wish to call upon the roof repair expertise of a professional contractor such as Avenue Road Roofing in Toronto.
Utilize Toronto Roof Repair Specialists to Install Aluminum Soffit and Fascia
Soffit and fascia that are installed correctly and functioning properly can offer a number of benefits to the homeowner. These will include:
- Proper water drainage
- Adequate attic ventilation
- Reduced energy consumption
- An extended lifespan for the roof
- Structural integrity (roof and gutters)
- Protection from insect or rodent penetration
- Enhanced aesthetics/curb appeal for the home
All of the above, either directly or indirectly, provide a degree of short-term and/or long-term financial benefit, and as a result, the importance of proper maintenance cannot be underestimated. Such maintenance would consist of regular inspections and repairs if/as required; these services are offered by Avenue Road Roofing, one of the leading roofing contractors in Toronto and the GTA for more than 40 years.
If the soffit and fascia are constructed of wood, maintenance will also include painting or staining them on a regular basis. One option for reducing the costs associated with this type of maintenance would be to have an Avenue Road Roofing crew convert the soffit and fascia to aluminum; this would also eliminate any potential repair costs due to water damage to the wood.
For more information on the installation of aluminum soffit and fascia by Avenue Road Roofing, see our Soffit & Fascia page.
If your soffit or fascia need repair, or to convert them from wood to aluminum, call the roof repair and installation experts from Avenue Road Roofing today at 416-785-5129 or contact us to schedule a no-obligation consultation at your earliest convenience.