Everything you Ever Wanted to Know About Soffit and Fascia
Throughout the years, various parts of your home’s exterior experience wear and tear. As a homeowner, you should ensure you’re keeping track of any signs of damage.
A couple of parts you may overlook as you inspect your home’s exterior for damage are the soffits and fascia. Although these components aren’t always in the most noticeable pieces, they still remain extremely critical elements to the wellbeing of your home. There are several signs that indicate you should contact a reputable contracting company to repair or replace your soffits and fascias.
But wait: what are soffit and fascias in the first place? And why do they matter? Budget Exteriors, your preferred Bloomington exterior contractors, are here to help. Below, we’ll dive into all things soffit and fascia—what they are, why they matter to your home, and signs that you’ll need to get them replaced.
Soffit and Fascia Basics
Before you learn how they work and why they matter you need to know what soffit and fascia are. First, understand that your roofing system underneath your shingles isn’t made of a singular entity, but various parts that all work together to carry out the important job of shedding rainwater and ventilating the attic space.
Your soffit is the flat swath of material that spans from the bottom of your roofing to your walls. Your fascia, on the other hand, is “the exposed horizontal band you see at the end of the rafters,” according to HGTV. In a sense, your fascia is your home’s trim. Soffits and fascia can be made of a variety of materials, such as vinyl, aluminum, wood, and UPVC. Each of these materials has their pros and cons, though vinyl and UPVC are considered the more modern up-and-comers.
Soffit serves a variety of functions, from shielding your attic’s undersides from weather to promoting ventilation in your roof. Fascias primarily serve as a source of support for your gutters, though they also can be quite the fashion statement if their color is done right, as we cover in our blog on the subject.
Why Soffits and Fascias Are Important
Soffits and fascias are critical pieces of the roof of your home as they protect it from various forms of water damage. Soffits and fascias often have small openings that provide ventilation throughout your home’s attic. When heat and moisture get trapped in that attic without this ventilation, it can cause your roof to rot and wear down.
Soffits also assist in moving heat and moisture out of the attic, which helps your house stay warm in the winter and cool during the summer. This constant cycling of moisture and heat that your soffits provide can also prevent mold and other harmful particles from growing in your home.
During the winter, snow and ice create a higher risk for moisture and water to buildup in your home. Additionally, trapped moisture can damage your attic’s insulation and cause ice dams to develop. In order to protect your home from damage, you should ensure your soffits and fascias are working properly. Routinely inspecting and repairing your soffits and fascias can prevent your roof and attic from getting damaged.
Signs You Soffit and Fascia Need Replacement
Due to their inconspicuous locations, it’s tricky to know when your soffit and fascia need attention until the problem starts to spread to other areas of your home. Rest assured, though, that if you take the time and know what you’re looking for, a qualified home exterior contractor will be able to stop the damage and restore your home.
Signs of Rodents
As temperatures drop, you may be on the lookout for rodents and other intruding creatures in and around your home. If you notice signs of rodents around your attic, such as noises, droppings, and nests, you should take a moment to inspect your home’s soffits and fascias. Rodents often gain access to your home’s interior through these areas if they are broken.
Cracked and Broken Paint
When you notice the paint begins to crack, flake, and break away from the soffits and fascias, consider contacting Budget Exteriors for replacement services. Not only does cracking and flaking paint damage your home’s curb appeal but it also indicates potential issues with water damage in your home. Additionally, this kind of damage can lead to the growth of mold and other harmful particles.
Poor Attic Ventilation
One of the main purposes of soffits and fascias is to supply the home with proper ventilation. When your home isn’t receiving efficient ventilation, you may notice your attic and other parts of your home are uncomfortably warm and moist. This increase in heat, moisture, and condensation could be a result of a failure with your home’s soffits and fascias. Whether your soffits and fascias are damaged or clogged, contact Budget Exteriors. Our team of contractors can help you repair the issue and help you create a comfortable space in your home.
Unstable Gutters
Because fascias provide a support system for your gutters, when you notice your gutters begin to droop and sag, it may mean there’s an issue with your soffits and fascias. Soffits and fascias help your gutters perform correctly, and when your gutters perform correctly, they are able to protect your home from water damage. When your gutters are malfunctioning, you should also take the time to inspect your soffits and fascias to see if they may be the cause.
Rot or Mildew
Water damage on your home often comes in the form of rot and mildew. If you notice your home rotting on and around your home’ soffits and fascias, consider having the system replaced. You should also keep an eye out for mold. When these harmful particles begin to develop, it could mean there’s an issue with your soffits and fascias.
For Expert Soffit and Fascia Installation Services, Contact Budget Exteriors Today
At Budget Exteriors, we understand the importance of having high-quality products protecting your home, which is why we install products from leading brands for our customers.
If you think your soffits and fascias have seen better days, contact Budget Exteriors today. We provide free estimates so you can feel confident about receiving the services you need for the price you expect. To learn more about your opportunities with us, reach our Bloomington office today at 952-887-1613.