Repairing Guides

how to repair dry rot on fascia

by Prof. Ed Gusikowski Jr. Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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What do I do?

  • Step 1. Determine That You Actually Have Rot. Rot and simple discoloration are two different things. In some cases,...
  • Step 2. Identify The Water Source. In order to carry out an effective fascia repair, you first identify why your fascia...
  • Step 3. Remove The Rotted Fascia Board. Cut the caulk line with a utility knife. To start this project, use a utility...

Part of a video titled DRY ROT FASCIA—CHEAP FIX - YouTube
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Mixing the Durham's water putty for some fashion repair.MoreMixing the Durham's water putty for some fashion repair.

Full Answer

What type of wood is best for fascia?

  • Choose the best wood. Handpick each wood fascia board and make sure it's from a species of wood that's naturally decay resistant.
  • Watch where you nail your fascia. If at all possible, never nail a fascia board near the edge of the end grain.
  • Use the best nails.
  • Paint the ends of your fascia boards.

What is the cost to replace soffit and fascia?

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How to repair your fascia?

There are various strategies that work to loosen up painful knots, such as:

  • Heat therapy: Apply a heating pad to the affected area or take a warm shower or bath.
  • Yoga therapy: See a highly trained yoga therapist to get a regimen of yoga poses targeted to treat your area of pain. ...
  • Foam rolling: Try a foam roller, a cylinder of hard foam that you roll your body over to release tension. ...

More items...

How to fix the soffit and fascia on a house?

SOFFITS repair, FASCIA & EAVESTROUGH INSTALLATION

  • SOFFIT REPAIR. Soffit is found on the underside of the roof line and is generally made of aluminum panels, which come in both solid and vented types.
  • FASCIA. Fascia board is the component of the roof that attaches to the exposed side of the roof rafters. ...
  • EAVESTROUGH INSTALLATION. ...

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Can I use wood filler on fascia?

Filling and Replacing Epoxy wood filler can repair the ends of any rafters that have rotted, as well as the bottoms of rotted fascia, after first clearing out the rot with a chisel.

How do you repair damaged fascia?

2:074:27How to Replace a Fascia Board and Repair Water Damage - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat just loosen the gutter. So we can get the fascia board out a small flat pry bar is the perfectMoreThat just loosen the gutter. So we can get the fascia board out a small flat pry bar is the perfect tool for this job one of the nice things about rotting wood is it just lets. Go so easily.

Can dry rot be fixed?

Certain amounts of dry rot can be repaired, but it is not recommended if the affected areas provide structural stability to your home, such as with beams and joints, or even flooring for that matter. In those cases, you should replace the wood instead of repairing it.

How do you replace a rotting fascia board?

How To Replace Roof Fascia BoardStep One: Inspect the Existing Fascia. ... Step Two: Remove Gutters and Drip Edge. ... Step Three: Remove Existing Fascia Board. ... Step Four: Measure and Cut. ... Step Five: Cover the Seams. ... Step Six: Seal the Wood. ... Step Seven: Install Drip Edges and Gutters.

How do you replace fascia without removing drip edge?

0:2216:07How to Replace Fascia and Soffit without removing DRIP EDGE!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPull this fascia out and then we'll get that little piece out of there. So then i can just take myMorePull this fascia out and then we'll get that little piece out of there. So then i can just take my next piece slip it back up there make sure you stick around at the end of the video.

What is the best material for fascia boards?

If you are looking to install fascias boards on your own, vinyl material is the best option. Vinyl is also widely used for soffits as well and is an accepted building code standard. It is also very easy to match or complement your siding. It is highly durable and very easy to install.

Can I treat dry rot myself?

The best product to use to treat and kill Dry Rot in masonry is Boron powder dissolved in water. You can brush the Boron solution onto the affected masonry or spray it on depending on the size of the affected area and your preference.

How do you fix rotten wood without replacing it?

0:033:30How to Fix Rotted Wood with Epoxy | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd uh the bottom of the mullion post was rotted so i cut out the rot i mixed up a two part epoxy.MoreAnd uh the bottom of the mullion post was rotted so i cut out the rot i mixed up a two part epoxy.

Does dry rot need to be removed?

Because dry rot can spread quickly through wood and even porous masonry, it's incredibly important to eliminate all stages of dry rot fungus immediately. The most effective way to do this is to remove and replace all affected wood, and treat the timber in close proximity with a fungicide.

Why do fascia boards rot?

Leaky Gutters The most common reason why fascia boards rot is due to an ineffective gutter. A gutter system that's old and leaky or has an improperly aligned downspout will cause the excess moisture to back up into the fascia, which will result in rot over time.

What type of wood should I use for fascia board?

Cedar is a popular fascia wood and redwood is another. That's because both of these wood species have some natural rot-resistance, even when unpainted. If you prime and paint the fascia, you can also make them out of fir, spruce or pine, which are all less expensive.

Do you use treated or untreated wood for fascia?

Purchase pressure-treated lumber to replace your fascia boards as a way to extend the life of the repair. Pressure-treated lumber is designed for outside applications and resists rot, moisture and insect damage.

How to repair a fascia that is wet?

In order to carry out an effective fascia repair, you must first identify why your fascia got wet, and then do your best prevent water from soaking this area in the future. Chipped or damaged shingles can be a common source of water reaching fascia .

What is the soffit that hides the rafter tails?

Many fascia boards will hang down in open space, creating the “eaves” of the house. These eaves often enclose a suspended “ soffit ”—a thin board that hides the rafter tails. If your soffit is rotted, you’ll need to replace runs of that as well. This is a slightly more involved procedure, but also not too difficult.

What is the most common area for rot on a house?

Fascia boards are one of most common areas for rot on a house. Their position just beneath the roofline makes them highly susceptible to water penetration, and once the boards become soaked, they’ll quickly begin to deteriorate. This article will give you an overview on how to carry out fascia trim replacements.

Can a gutter gunk up fascia board?

Rot and simple discoloration are two different things. In some cases, spillover from the roof or a gutter can just gunk up a fascia board. Actual rot will show up as soft spots or dark cavities in the surface of the board (like the one pictured above). Wood in these places will be mushy and pulpy.

Does fascia have to be the right length?

Producing a new piece can be a little tricky, because fascia wraps around a house. Pieces don’t just need to be the right length—they also need to be the right shape. Some pieces will have miter cuts on both ends, and even compound cuts where fascia turns up a roofline.

Do you need to go overboard with fascia boards?

Fascia boards have very little pressure on them. There’s no need to go overboard with fasteners. A high nail and low nail every couple feet is all it takes to secure the board in place. (Just make sure you’re fasteners are sinking firmly into the sub-fascia behind the board.) 9.

Can you replace fascia boards with PVC?

The most important thing to note here is that you should always replace fascia boards with PVC materials. These plastic-vinyl boards are inorganic, and therefore impervious to rot. For water-sensitive places like fascia, PVC is the best option. If you do want to use wood, make sure you’re at least using quality lumber.

What is fascia board?

Fascia is the portion of your home's exterior trim to which gutters are usually attached. We ask much of fascia boards. Though their location makes them inherently vulnerable, they need to look good and last. And they will, if you choose good boards from a species of wood that's naturally decay resistant.

What wood is used for fascia boards?

Handpick each wood fascia board and make sure it's from a species of wood that's naturally decay resistant. Here in South Florida, that means selecting boards that come from the heartwood of cedar or cypress.

Can wood wicks be wet?

Wood wicks water into its edge grain the same way paper straws in a glass of water will eventually be wet much higher than the level of the water in the glass. We like to dip the end of each piece of fascia board wood we put up into the best grade of primer paint we can buy.

Can you replace rotten wood before installing a drip edge?

It's easier — and costs less — to replace the rotten wood before the roofers install a new drip edge. A drip edge is the shiny metal that flashes the joint between the edge of the roof and the top of the fascia board. Not only is it easier and less expensive, but also from an aesthetic standpoint, without the new drip edge in my way, ...

Why do gutters pull away?

One big problem is when the gutters start to pull away because the wrong nails or fasteners were used. When this happens, the water runs off behind the gutter and ricochets onto the fascia board. This is one of the most common reasons for rotting due to water. Using a zinc screw that prevents rust is recommended.

What causes a gutter to overflow?

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 ...

Why is my gutter clogged?

Gutter Issues. Gutters mounted on the fascia board wrong can cause water damage for a few reasons. Gutter seams, corner miters, and end caps can allow water to pass through. If the gutter is clogged, water can overflow. If a gutter can’t contain the amount of water coming from a high volume area, water won’t be contained.

What is fascia board made of?

a Fascia board is usually made out of wood. However, in some commercial applications it can be made out of steel or aluminum. In a residential setting, it is made out of wood and cladded with aluminum and vinyl siding application. Sometimes there will be a concrete plank that is applied.

Why does water run down the front of the gutter?

Gutters are designed so that when water overflows it goes off the front side. This is because the gutter is lower on the front. Even so, some water still ends up running down the front of the end of the gutter onto the fascia board.

What is composite fascia board?

Composite fascia boards are generally uncommon. Most of the time, they are going to be made out of wood. Vinyl fascia boards are a common misconception. Usually when someone refers to a vinyl fascia boards they are referring to vinyl siding. They are all usually made out of wood and the other materials are placed over top.

How long does it take to replace fascia board?

How Long It Would Take to Replace. A skilled professional can do 8-10 feet of fascia board in 20-30 minutes. An untrained person could take 3-4 hours to replace 8-10 feet. After being replaced it would need to be caulked and painted or the vinyl siding would need to go back up.

What is Dry Rot on Wood?

Dry rot is basically a wood-decaying fungus that is known for destroying woods in buildings. It can spread quickly through wooden materials in a building. The possible zone for dry rot is where the wood and water meet.

Inspect and Identify the Dry Rot on Wood

Just the opposite of the name, the dry rot fungus needs moisture to grow. So, any area close to the water source is a potentially risky zone.

Identify, Is the Dry Rot Structural or Non-Structural?

Now time to identify the dry rot you just found. Check if the dry rot is in its early stage. If so, then it could easily be treated. Or else the dry rot can spread to the structural framing of the building if it is progressive.

How to Repair Dry Rot Wood? – An Easy Dry Rot Wood Repair Technique

The dry rot repair process includes multiple steps. So, you'll need a lot of time to do so. There may not be a single affected area in your house. You'll need to treat each place, including the major and minor ones.

You're Done!

Thereby you are done with the first infected area. Isn't it satisfying? Indeed, it is. Since you've gained some confidence and experience, you can now continue doing the rest dry rot wood repair. It may be some other days as you need to wait a while to dry and apply each substance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, it is. You'll get a clear picture of the cost when you search for dry rot repair near me. However, the cost of replacing dry rot varies per repair. It depends on the materials needed and the price of labor. The dry rot window sill repair can cost you around $1000 and up to $2500.

Why is there no drip edge on my gutter?

The reason for this, is the fascia board damage is too much and the board can no longer support the weight of the gutter. You could put a gutter spike every 2 inches, but those spikes will all pull loose soon enough. In both of these pictures you may also notice that there is no DRIP EDGE present on the roofing eave.

What is fascia board?

Fascia Boards (pronounced “face-sha”) are the white trim boards installed to the roofing eave of your home. Your homes gutters are mounted to this board. Their main purpose is to cover and protect the exposed rafters and prevent water from going inside your walls.

What causes fascia board rot?

fascia board rot. fascia damage. The most common type of fascia board damage is wood rot. This article directly describes fascia board rot caused by water and how to prevent more fascia board damage from happening. Gutter systems are designed so that the water goes into the gutters and not behind them. Anytime you have water going ...

What happens when fascia board gets soft?

Once Fascia board gets soft it can no longer support the weight of the gutter. Eventually the gutter will fall off of the wall. In the example photo above, you can see the gutter hardware (hidden hangers) are no longer biting into the fascia board. You can also see that the fascia board behind the gutter is discolored and rotting.

What happens if water goes behind gutters?

Anytime you have water going behind your gutters, that water is destroying your fascia board and going inside your walls. Once your fascia board gets rotted to the point that it is soft, the fascia can no longer support the weight of the gutters. What eventually happens is the gutter will fall off of the home.

What happens if you screwdriver goes into wood?

However if your screwdriver goes into the wood itself, then that wood is getting soft. Anything from cracks, splits in the wood, paint peeling, moss, mold, wet spots, termites is all considered fascia board damage.

Is fascia board good for gutters?

CONCLUSION. Fascia board is considered a very essential part of your gutter system and roofing eave. To get the most life out of these boards as possible you’ll need to keep an eye on them and act fast if you see signs of damage. Always remember that there is no repair for rotting wood.

How to get rid of dry rot on wood?

1. Sprinkle boric acid across wood that shows signs of dry rot. If you've caught an instance of dry rot early enough, it can be stopped with boric acid. Boric acid is a powerful fungicide and can eradicate the rot-causing fungi as long as they haven't penetrated more than 1⁄4 inch (0.64 cm) into the wood.

Why do you need to fill in dry rotted wood?

If you've found dry rot in your home, you may need to remove the rotted wood and fill the timber in with epoxy to prevent the rot from spreading.

What is the best way to treat exposed wood?

Treating exposed timber with a borate wood preservative will ensure that it's rot-proof.

How long does epoxy take to dry?

Let the epoxy dry overnight for at least 6-8 hours. Keep any curious children or wandering animals away from the epoxy as it dries. ...

How to blow air through wet wood?

Open the windows and doors in the room with the wet timber to encourage airflow. Also set 2–3 large box fans in the room: point 1 directly at the wet wood and place 1 or 2 more blowing air past the wood and towards an open door or window. Purchase box fans at a hardware store or a home-improvement store near you. ...

Can wood beams rot?

Any wooden beams or timber supports that are near a leak will be susceptible to dry rot. In most homes, leaks occur near water spigots or behind appliances. If you're aware of a leak in your home, turn off the water to the specific pipe that's leaking.

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