How to Repair a Rotted Soffit
- Pry off your shingle mold. . Simply remove with a flat bar.
- Remove the fascia. . Use your flat bar again here. You can reuse your fascia if it remains in tact while you remove...
- Remove the soffit’s rotting wood. . You’ll likely just need to use your hands to pull it off. If you know (or just...
Full Answer
How to repair soffits and fascia?
Soffit and Fascia Repair. 1 1. Remove Shingle Mold. Pry the narrow shingle mold from the fascia using a flat bar. If it comes off without splitting, reuse it later. 2 2. Remove Rotted Fascia. 3 3. Remove Old Soffit. 4 4. Remove Rotted Rafter. 5 5. Attach Cleat. More items
Can You reuse soffits?
You can reuse your fascia if it remains in tact while you remove it. If it splinters, cut a new piece of wood (same thickness and measurements as the original fascia) and prime it on both sides. Let it dry while you work. 3. Remove the soffit’s rotting wood. You’ll likely just need to use your hands to pull it off.
When to take care of a rotted soffit?
When you notice your soffit beginning to mold or rot, it’s important to take care of it as quickly as possible in order to avoid further damage to your home. If your roof has this problem, read below to learn how to repair a rotted soffit in less than ten simple steps.
How do you repair rotted wood?
A rotted wood restorer can be applied to the damaged wood to restore its strength before repairing it. You can then apply a high-quality wood filler with a putty knife to the surface. Most of these wood fillers are two-part formulas, and it’s a good idea to go light on the hardener, not heavy.
How do you repair rotten soffit?
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 kind of wood do you use to replace soffits?
Although unsanded and touch-sanded grades of plywood are often used for soffits, optimum appearance and finish performance is achieved by using panels with Medium Density Overlay (MDO), or textured (such as APA 303 Siding) or sanded A-grade faces.
Why are my soffits rotting?
Unfortunately, rotted soffit is usually caused by leaks that drip down and collect in the gutters and on the soffit boards. It can also be caused by bad weather and pesky animals. Soffits play an important role in your home because they cover the eaves and protect the rafters from weather damage.
How do you fix rotted wood 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.
How long do wooden soffits last?
Well installed and maintained wooden fascia can last for up to 20 or 30 years, before they start deteriorating. Although some might need replacing within 5 to 10 years.
Can you put new soffit over old?
If you happen to be working on an older home, most contractors and homeowners find that they will need to install their vinyl soffit over top of old wood. This can definitely be done, but you will need to take several precautions to prevent the wood from rotting beneath this new layer.
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 rotten wood without replacing it?
Wood fillers are products such as Bondo and Minwax that are designed to be all-purpose fillers for gaps, holes, and rotted wood. Their application is simple, they cure quickly, and they're not supposed to shrink once dry.
What is the best material to use for a soffit?
While there are a lot of materials on the market for soffits, only fiber cement resists moisture, insect activity, cracking, chipping, and fading. This makes it a better material overall for your home's exterior.
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.
Why do fascia boards rot?
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.
Can I use pressure treated wood for fascia?
It'll last a long time if you have the proper detail on your home. But pressure treated lumber is not used for fascia boards.
What is the best material to use for a soffit?
While there are a lot of materials on the market for soffits, only fiber cement resists moisture, insect activity, cracking, chipping, and fading. This makes it a better material overall for your home's exterior.
What can I use to replace soffit?
Aluminum is a good solution for wood soffits and fascias in awful shape. It'll take less time to bury them behind aluminum trim than to repair, scrape and repaint the old wood.
What is the best wood for fascia boards?
Many different types of wood are suitable for fascia boards. Spruce, pine and fir are all popular and relatively inexpensive options. However, some roofers prefer to use cedar, cypress or redwood for fascia boards. While they are more expensive, these woods better resist moisture, even when left unsealed.
What kind of wood do you use 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 I cut soffit boards?
First, with a pencil and a combination square, I mark the soffit boards where I need to cut. Then I cut off the deteriorated end of the board [B] and examine the pieces closely to determine if there is more deterioration to remove, in which case, I mark a new joint a few inches along, cut it off, and repeat the process until I hit structurally sound wood.
How to glue a part together on a scaffold?
Then I glue it into place with an epoxy adhesive. (Any flexible weatherproof adhesive will work.) After spreading the adhesive, I set the part in place and drive in the screws [F] to hold it tight until the adhesive cures.
Why does paint peel off wood?
Paint peeling down to bare wood [A] indicates there has been a high concentration of moisture in the wood, perhaps enough to support the growth of fungus. Poke into the wood with a sharp awl or ice pick to discover soft, decayed wood at the surface.
How deep do splits go?
Often decay and splits are worst at the ends of the boards, with conditions improving further in. Splits usually continue at least a few inches deeper than are first apparent.
How do you know if your soffit is rotting?
. The soffit looks cracked and curls under the roof’s eaves, Some wood is completely missing from the soffit, There is water intrusion in your attic around the fascia, Animals have been sneaking into your attic, or.
What does it sound like when you tap on a soffit?
When you tap on the soffit’s wood, it sounds hollow.
What is the first part of a roof to be damaged?
Your whole roof will undergo some wear and tear over time, but—between erratic weather and pesky animals—a soffit is usually the first part of the roof to bear damage. When you notice your soffit beginning to mold or rot, it’s important to take care of it as quickly as possible in order to avoid further damage to your home.
What is a soffit made of?
The soffit of a house is usually made from either vinyl, aluminum, fiber cement, wood, and steel. It's the roof's overhang and is used to improve aesthetic of your home. It's normally used to cover beams so that they're not completely exposed. But they also work to protect the rafters from various weather elements. If rafters are exposed, there is a chance for mold to grow. The fascia protects the interior of the home and the roof from moisture.
Can you repair soffit?
When looking to repair soffit and fascia, you'll want to be sure to do it the right way. Follow these 5 tips listed above to repair and replace your soffit and fascia correctly. For additional information and related topics refer to our best guide on building soffit.
Introduction
Use a polyester filler to rebuild rotted or damaged wood. You can mold and shape it to match the original wood profile. It takes paint well and won't rot.
Smooth out the repair
Also, unlike WoodEpox, polyester tends to sag when you're doing vertical repairs. One trick is to build a form and line it with plastic sheeting. Press the form against the filler and attach it with screws. Then pull it off after the filler hardens.
