how to repair eaves on a house

How to Repair Eaves & Roofs

1. Using your hand drill, remove your gutters by unscrewing them from their support braces. Brace the gutter by having someone else hold the freed ends.
2. Measure the height and length of the damaged eaves.
3. Purchase replacement eaves at your local hardware store or lumberyard. ...
4. Using a pry bar, pull the old eaves off.

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Full Answer

How to repair rotted eaves on roof?

How to Repair Rotted Eaves. 1 Step 1 – Inspect Your Damage. While you are preparing for your repairs, do a thorough check. Run a hose on your roof. If the water streams into the ... 2 Step 2 – Remove the Shingle Mold. 3 Step 3 – Take off the Rotted Fascia. 4 Step 4 – Remove Soffit. 5 Step 5 – Take off Rotted Rafter. More items

Should I repair or replace my eaves?

Unless your home has been severely neglected, the need to replace the entirety of the eaves 1 is unlikely. In most cases, repairing the components of the eaves 1 requires replacement of specific sections of soffit 3, fascia, gutter, or rafter tails. Enhancement and Improvement Costs

What are eaves on a house?

The eaves on a house are enclosed with a vertical fascia board to cover the end of the roof rafters or ceiling joists, and horizontal soffit boards to cover the bottom of the roofs rafters or joists.

How do you replace Eaves on a mobile home?

Your first step will be prying away the bottom and sides of the old eaves. Your new boards will have to match the old ones in terms of width and thickness, so when you go to your local home improvement center you may want to bring them a sample of your old eaves so they match.

How do you repair rotted eaves?

0:273:13Essential Repair - Eave and Rafter Tail Wood Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSound the wood for the replacement eve section was clamped in place. A small brush was used to coatMoreSound the wood for the replacement eve section was clamped in place. A small brush was used to coat the sides of the replacement wood with liquid wood acting as a primer for woody.

What is the difference between a soffit and an eave?

Soffits can be manufactured from aluminium, wood or vinyl, and it's important to select a material that's suitable for the climate in which you reside. To summarise, an eave is part of a roof system and a soffit is part of the eave. In simple terms, eaves and soffits are two different parts of the same structure.

What causes eaves to rot?

The cause of rotted eave boards is excess moisture, usually the result of faulty drainage at the roof edges. Water runoff during the rainy season tends to keep the fascia and eave boards continually wet, and this promotes the growth of microorganisms that feed on wood fibers.

How do you fix rotted wood soffits?

The good news is that you won't even need to climb on top of your roof to fix your soffit!Pry off your shingle mold. ... Remove the fascia. ... Remove the soffit's rotting wood. ... Take out the rotted rafter (when applicable). ... Install the new rafter (when applicable). ... Prepare the new soffit. ... Attach the soffit. ... Attach the fascia.More items...•

What material is used under eaves?

Hardie™ Flex Eaves Lining A smooth, flat, square edged sheet that is produced in the most common widths for eaves overhangs. For eaves or soffits wider than 750mm, Hardie™ Flex cladding can be used. Sheets can be painted on site to create a flat panel look.

What is the underside of eaves called?

Your roof by necessity, will often times extend over the walls of your home. This overhang can go by a few names, such as the house eaves or the rafters of your roof. The underside of this overhang, when given a finished appearance, is known as the soffit, which means “something fixed underneath”.

What kind of wood is used for eaves?

All About Eave Eaves are simple boxes. The bottom -- or soffit -- where the damage is, is typically thin plywood, usually 1/4-to-3/8-inch-thick. It's cut in long sections and butt-jointed together with a thin piece of plastic molding that slips over both ends forming a joint.

How do you replace a rafter without removing the roof?

Measure the dimensions of the old rafters beneath your roofing surface. ... Slide one of the newly cut rafter legs into position directly next to the old rafter. ... Slide the new joists into position beneath each of the new sets of rafters. ... Drive nails through the joists and into the new rafters at each end.

Who do you call to repair soffit?

Roofers and contractors can typically handle soffit and fascia repair. Licensed roofers and contractors can usually take care of soffit and fascia repair. These professionals can either repair or replace your fascia and soffit, depending on the specific requirements of the project.

Can you repair wooden soffits?

Soffit is a critical but often overlooked part of any home, building, or roofed structure. Rot or other damage can cause a wide range of structural problems and other difficulties, but it can be easy to repair a rotted soffit before those problems become major issues.

How do you fix soffits and rotted fascia?

Soffit and Fascia RepairRemove Shingle Mold. Pry the narrow shingle mold from the fascia using a flat bar. ... Remove Rotted Fascia. Remove the rotted section of fascia. ... Remove Old Soffit. Pull down to remove the old soffit. ... Remove Rotted Rafter. ... Attach Cleat. ... Attach New Rafter. ... Seal Replacement Soffit. ... Attach Replacement Soffit.More items...

What's the difference between soffit and fascia?

The soffit helps regulate your home's temperature, allowing your roof to “breathe.” Cool, dry air is drawn into the soffit vent, and hot moist air is forced out of roof exhaust vents. The fascia is the attractive board along the side of the overhang and the roof that helps your roof appear finished.

What's the difference between soffit and fascia?

The soffit helps regulate your home's temperature, allowing your roof to “breathe.” Cool, dry air is drawn into the soffit vent, and hot moist air is forced out of roof exhaust vents. The fascia is the attractive board along the side of the overhang and the roof that helps your roof appear finished.

Where are the eaves on a house?

The area where a roof extends a small way past the wall of a building is usually referred to as the eaves.

What is the overhang on a building called?

An overhanging eave is the edge of a roof, protruding outwards from the side of the building, generally to provide weather protection.

What is a soffit on a house?

The soffit is the material beneath the eave that connects the far edge of your roof to the exterior wall of your house. They are often vented. Besides being underneath your eaves, soffits can also be on the underside of a porch roof.

All About Eave

Eaves are simple boxes. The bottom -- or soffit -- where the damage is, is typically thin plywood, usually 1/4-to-3/8-inch-thick. It's cut in long sections and butt-jointed together with a thin piece of plastic molding that slips over both ends forming a joint. In some cases, the joint may be trimmed out with a thin piece of wood trim.

Reverse Psychology

Insert the tip of a prybar under the ledger board between the exterior siding. Pry it out gently. Remove the prybar and reinsert it 12 inches away from the original insertion point. Continue prying and pulling until the ledger board comes loose from the house.

The Cover-Up

For a quick pick-me-up, try overlaying the plywood under the eave. There are lots of products that will work for this, but it should be exterior grade. Use some type of textured composite for an updated look, go with regular exterior plywood or even textured aluminum.

Replace or Repent

If the plywood under the eves is warped or damaged beyond repair, it's better to replace it. Start by prying off the ledger boards to release the plywood. Pull the sections apart, releasing them from the plastic tracks in the center. Measure, and purchase new exterior grade plywood of the same thickness.

How do I replace a fascia board?

How to Replace a Fascia Board: 1 Remove Damaged Fascia Board: Use a flat pry bar to remove the damaged fascia board. If the board is covered by guttering, you will need to carefully remove the gutter first. 2 Match Fascia Board: Buy a new board that matches the old fascia board in both thickness and width. In addition to wood, you can also replace damaged fascia boards with Cellular PVC or fiber cement material. 3 Cut New Fascia Board: Using the damaged fascia board as a pattern, cut the new fascia board to match. Join two fascia boards together over a rafter or joist at a 45° angle by setting your circular saw to 45 degrees, then cutting square across the width of the board. 4 Attach New Fascia Board: Trial fit the new fascia board in place, and attach it with 8-penny galvanized or stainless steel finishing nails. 5 Caulk and Paint New Fascia Board: Caulk any joints or seams in the new fascia board and fill nail holes. After the caulking has set, prime and paint the new board.

What angle should fascia be cut at?

When joining fascia along a straight run, the ends of the boards should always be cut with opposing 45-degree angles to overlap each other.

What is the purpose of a vertical fascia board?

The eaves on a house are enclosed with a vertical fascia board to cover the end of the roof rafters or ceiling joists, and horizontal soffit boards to cover the bottom of the roofs rafters or joists. Due to their exposure to the elements, fascia boards can rot over time. They are also a favorite target for squirrels.

Can you replace fascia boards with fiber cement?

In addition to wood, you can also replace damaged fascia boards with Cellular PVC or fiber cement material. Cut New Fascia Board: Using the damaged fascia board as a pattern, cut the new fascia board to match.

Can rotten fascia board be damaged?

Danny Lipford: Even though it doesn’t serve a structural purpose, a rotten fascia board can be unattractive and allow moisture to damage the framing behind it. In order to completely pry the damaged piece loose, you may have to lift up the metal eave strip just above it.

What is the repair of eaves 1?

Repairing eaves 1 involves repainting, repairing, or replacing sections of soffit 3 ( the underside of the eave 1 ), fascia (the forward-facing surface of the eave 1 ), or the gutters. Prices can vary based on size, accessibility, and materials. In some cases, replacement materials are supplied in minimum lengths that you may have to cover the cost of, regardless of what you need.

How much does it cost to clean gutters on a eaves?

When the gutters on your eaves 1 begin to overflow they are most likely clogged with leaves and debris. Professional gutter cleaning services cost on average $150. Rotted eave 1, fascia, or soffit 3. Rotting of the eave 1, fascia or soffit 3, may not be instantly recognizable.

What does rotting eaves 1 mean?

Rotting of the eave 1, fascia or soffit 3, may not be instantly recognizable. Peeling paint, cracks, and sagging or overflowing gutters can indicate a deeper problem. Usually, the repair of rotting eaves 1 requires sections of the material to be completely removed and replaced.

What is eaves 1?

Properly designed and installed eaves 1 provide shade and divert water away from features of your home that are vulnerable to moisture damage. Depending on where you live, damage due to weather, age, and/or pests might lead 2 to needed eave 1 repair in the soffit 3, facia, or gutters.

How long does paint last on a roof?

Peeling paint. When peeling paint appears around your eaves 1, it may be simply normal wear and tear, or an indication of a bigger problem. Exterior paint should last approximately seven to ten years. If your paint is significantly younger, or is showing signs of staining in addition to chipping, you may have a leak in the eave 1 or the roof above. A thorough inspection will let you know if you need the help of a professional painter, roofer, or carpenter.

What happens if you leave snow on your roof?

Of course, snow on the roof will continue to melt, creating an ever-growing pool of water. If left unaddressed, ice will continue to build up, putting increased weight on the eaves 1 and gutters, and the water will eventually find its way through the roof surface.

Why are eaves 1 so complicated?

Eaves 1 are complicated because they are vulnerable to elements and made up of a number of components that, once damaged, will cause more damage to other parts of the roof and walls.

Why do eaves rot?

And once water has seeped in, the rot spreads quickly because the wood stays soggy inside the dark, dank space. Damage is also caused by birds and squirrels nesting inside eaves.

How long does it take to repair a roof?

2 hours. Roof repairs typically involve replacing damaged shingles and rusted flashing, but the overhang of a roof is often the first area to succumb to rot, peeling paint and other weather-related problems.

What animals chew through eaves?

Damage is also caused by birds and squirrels nesting inside eaves. These animals have been known to chew or peck through a perfectly sound eave, but they're especially attracted to a water-damaged fascia or soffit, which offers less resistance. Bees and hornets also build nests in and under eaves.

How to remove warps from poplar?

Drive a series of 2-inch screws through the poplar, pulling it tight against the fascia to remove warps. Using a drill/driver, drive in one row of screws 2 inches from the top and one row 2 inches from the bottom edge. Examine the bottom edge. If you see spaces between the fascia and the poplar, drive additional screws where needed to close them.

How to install poplar on a house?

Place a piece of 3/4-by-3/4-by-120-inch poplar in the corner on the opposite side of the plywood, flush with the end. Repeat Step 9, installing the poplar on the exterior side of the house.

Can you remove gutters before fixing soffits?

If your fascia has gutters attached, remove them before fixing your soffits . Gutters are a constant source of problems, so consider leaving them off. Warnings. Check the eaves for hornets, spiders or other critters that might have inhabited cracks, gaps or holes.