By The truth of the matter is that for a home to be dry and safe, it must have a roof that is waterproof. The joints are the points where the water will probably pass through, independent of whether they are located at where the roofs join the brickwork or around the chimney. Bearing in mind that even a subtle gap can lead to extreme internal damage, adequate waterproof installation is paramount, coupled with frequent preventive maintenance. The effort, time and the cost you invest in your roofing inspection is without any doubt, worth it. It is critical to note that every component that makes up your roofing system will undergo degeneration as time elapses, and therefore you will have to repair them.
The leading cause of roofing problems is undoubtedly inadequate methods of installation. As a result, you should, therefore, choose your roofing contractor very wisely. As time goes, the materials will decline in quality, and this calls for regular maintenance checks. If water finds its way into the wood of the fascia board, you are likely to encounter problems in future. In certain occasions, it is not easy to detect the problems early enough, since the board is guarded by a coat of the paint. However, one can quickly examine if that has happened, simply by taking his/her screwdriver and screwing it against the board in numerous places. If the end point of the screw can pass through the surface, then this will be enough confirmation that indeed the wood is deteriorating.
Even though you might temporarily cover the damaged area, you should quickly seek for a solution that is more permanent. There are other options available when it comes to the repairs of destroyed fascia’s; wooden fascia replacement is a good option but with time they will decay or rot, and you’ll encounter the exact same issue again.
You need to examine and evaluate the extent of the whole situation and eliminate any wood that you find to be damaged. It is essential for you to cut wood out to the end of the rafter in each case. Rafters are likely to be a part by close to two feet. As well as that, there might be some attached guttering to the fascia, and you’ll have to deal with this depending on the length of the fascia you’re thinking of replacing.
Go for the materials that have the best durability and waterproof qualities.
You have to make a choice of what you are going to use to replace the damaged fascia. Currently, there are a number of products out there including cement, timber fascia boards, and even plastic. If you intend to replace just a small section, you will likely be changing like for like. If it is, then it is mandatory to select a high quality piece that does not have any cracks or knots. When choosing timber replacement fascia, it is important that you be wary of warping. You must always check for the quality wood and examine its value before thinking of the prospect of putting it in place.
It is always advisable that you double check the size you need bearing in mind that once you cut the material, it is not possible going back for compensation or replacement if you mistakenly, slightly cut it too short. You need the materials to be as tight as possible. I would always recommend using a wood epoxy to fill in the gaps, but again it is not vital to use it for other than areas that are small.
You must also use the correct nails. They should be high quality so they last the same amount of time or longer than the new fascia board. The probability of experiencing future water damage will decrease, but only if you make an attempt at creating a waterproof seal. I would personally recommend the Ring Annular Shank Nails
If you don’t have the DIY skills, then you are better looking online for a roofing company or contractor like myself. I am a roofing contractor in Peterborough and have years of experience in replacing roofs. In the long term it can be a better investment to hire a professional rather than try to do the install yourself.
Your home is ultimately one of the greatest investments you will make, and effort should be made to protect it at all costs. Just understand that in the long run, it will cost you lots of money if you make uninformed choices concerning any work that relates to any part of your roof. The truth is fascia boards serve as the protective face of your home as it carries the gutter system which accommodates the large rainfall amounts that fall through the slopes of the roof.
Provide adequate fascia protection with drip edges.
There are instances when the gutters may get blocked, mainly as a result of the leaves that fall from the adjacent trees, and this is likely to exert some pressure on the fascia. However, this can be protected by installing a drip edge with an L-shape, which is then fixed to the decking below the tiles’ bottom layer. This will prevent water from getting into the fascia. Certain roofers don’t think about installing drip edges as a move of reducing the costs during the initial stages of installation. If you are either carrying out the repair work all by yourself or with the help of a professional, then you should also consider the drip edge and an added protection for your home.
If your fascia is not in good condition, you might think about a complete replacement, a move which allows you to use a more durable material compared to wood. The UPVC fascia is an ideal option and is waterproof and durable. They are pretty much maintenance-free and the only attention required is an annual clean-up so as to make them look new. However, they are always high up, and this means repairing them is always going to be tough, but for me, UPVC is a decent option compared to timber. Fascia’s are an essential part of the roof construction, but are extremely visible and therefore require regular maintenance.
