Signs Your Fascias and Soffits Need Replacing

Signs to look out for

You can spot most problems from the ground, ideally with a pair of binoculars on a dry day.

Peeling paint and soft timber

On timber boards, flaking paint is often the first sign that water is getting in. If the timber looks swollen, cracked or dark, or a section has broken away, there may be rot behind it.

Sagging or leaking gutters

Gutters are fixed to the fascia. If the board behind them is rotten, the brackets lose their grip and the gutter sags, so water collects in the low point and spills over.

Damp patches and staining

Damp patches on the walls just below the roofline, or staining on ceilings in upstairs rooms, can point to water getting in at the eaves.

Gaps, holes and pests

Gaps in the soffit let birds, wasps and squirrels into the roof space. Look for nesting material poking out, or droppings on window sills below.

Why it matters

Rotting fascias let water into the roofline and behind the masonry. The rafter feet, which are the ends of the roof timbers, sit right behind the fascia. If they stay wet, they can rot too, which turns a roofline job into a structural repair.

Late autumn is a good time to check, because the leaves have dropped, the gutters are working hard, and any problem will only get worse with winter rain and frost.

Why I do not cap over old boards

One approach you may be offered is capping, where new uPVC boards are fitted over the top of the old timber. It looks tidy on the day, but it can hide rot that keeps spreading underneath.

My approach is to strip the old boards off, check the rafter feet and exposed timbers, and deal with anything that needs attention before the new uPVC goes on. The fascias are fixed properly, the soffits are fitted, and the guttering is run with the correct fall to the downpipes.

Bats and nesting birds

In rural areas around Oswestry and along the border, bats sometimes roost in roof spaces and in gaps around the eaves. All bat species are protected by law. Natural Resources Wales advises that if you find a bat during building work you must stop and seek advice, and that even minor work such as re-guttering can disturb bats. The National Bat Helpline is 0345 1300 228.

Active birds' nests are also protected, which is another reason roofline work is often easier outside the spring nesting season.

What a replacement involves

• The old fascias, soffits and guttering are removed.
• The timber behind is inspected and repaired if needed.
• New uPVC fascia boards are fixed and sealed.
• Soffit panels are fitted.
• New guttering is run with the correct fall and the downpipes are fitted and cleared.

uPVC roofline does not need painting and will not rot, so once it is done it needs little more than a clean. If your windows are due for replacement as well, it often makes sense to plan both together. See our uPVC windows page.