ImproveIT! of Atlanta

Regular inspections and maintenance help ensure your roof’s long-term durability and good performance. However, when inspecting the roof, some homeowners tend to overlook the fascia boards, which may be harboring rot. 

To get rid of the rot on your fascia boards, you must first understand the cause. Professional roofing company ImproveIT! of Atlanta, LLC explains everything you need to know about this common roofing issue. 

What Are Fascia Boards?

The fascia is a long, straight board that runs along the roofline. It plays a huge role in your home’s aesthetics. As an exterior trim, it helps cover the soffit and provides a more finished appearance to the entire roofing system. However, there’s more to it than just enhancing the overall look of your home.

Besides its appearance, the fascia board has a practical function. It helps give support to the gutter system and the soffit, which is installed behind it. It also gives the roof’s sheathing and flashings something to adhere to while protecting your attic and the other roof components from moisture intrusion and damage caused by the elements. 

What Causes Your Fascia Boards to Rot?

Fascia boards fused during a residential roofing installation are typically made of wood from tree species like spruce, fir or pine, which are readily available and cost-effective. However, constant exposure to water or moisture can make them susceptible to rot. Here are a few reasons this happens:

• Improper Installation

Errors during roof installation may increase the likelihood of rot on the fascia boards. A poorly installed drip edge, for instance, may cause rainwater to end up flowing down the fascia board, encouraging mold, mildew or algae to develop and spread to the exterior surfaces of your home. Before this happens, it’s best to call an experienced roof replacement contractor. Failure to prevent this issue can lead to extensive moisture damage, which can be too costly to fix if left unattended for a long time. In this case, you’ll need roof replacement.

• Gutter and Downspout Issues

Attached securely to your fascia, your gutter system is responsible for directing rainwater that lands on your roof away from your property. Without proper maintenance or protection, however, your gutters are susceptible to clogs from leaves, bird’s nests, dust and other loose debris. Once this dirt and grime accumulates, water may back up and overflow. Some of it will seep into your fascia boards, causing them to weaken and develop rot.

Since excess moisture can soften the fascia board, the gutter system itself may be in danger of pulling away from its attachments. Protect your roofing system by getting rid of loose debris and stagnant water from inside your gutters as soon as possible. Gutter sections that have pulled away from the fascia can either be fixed with simple repairs or replaced if the damage is too extensive and severe.

Don’t forget your downspouts when you inspect and clean your gutters. They, too, can also get clogged with leaves and twigs from nearby trees. Apart from loose debris, unexpected items like tennis balls, golf balls and small toys can also get stuck inside the downspouts, causing water to build up. Soon enough, water runoff may back up and spill over the gutters, affecting not just your fascia boards but also the surrounding landscaping.

• Weather Conditions

Fascia boards are vulnerable to weather damage due to their location within the roofing system. Prolonged exposure to rainwater can cause them to rot, putting your roof’s structural integrity in jeopardy. To prevent further damage, get in touch with your local roofing company to perform storm damage repairs as needed. 

• External Factors

There may be instances where fascia boards may deteriorate and rot due to damage caused by external factors. These may include a tree branch breaking off and then falling on your roof or a careless placement of the ladder. The force could be great enough to leave the fascia board damage, allowing water to get in and cause rot.

How to Deal With Rotting Fascia Boards

Minimizing fascia rot isn’t something you can do by yourself over the weekend. Repairing or replacing the boards will require taking precise measurements, not to mention overall expertise from a professional roofing contractor. Your roofer will first check if the drip edges were properly installed before examining the extent of the rot on the fascia boards. If the damage is too severe, a replacement would be the necessary solution.

Once the replacement fascia boards have been installed, the next step would be to take preventive measures to help reduce the potential for fascia rot. These include: 

• Proper gutter installation. A seamless gutter system is worth considering, as it is the key to preventing moisture from harming your fascia boards. It only has a few seams, which means it is likely to leak. Make sure the contractor you hire to install it takes sloping into account to ensure consistent flow of water runoff toward the downspouts. Equipping it with a high-quality gutter protection system allows for proper functioning of the gutters. Only rainwater can enter through it while leaves and debris are filtered out.
• Wood seal treatment. The fascia is going to get wet from time to time, especially when it rains hard. Applying sealant onto the wooden surfaces creates a protective barrier that keeps moisture from penetrating through the material.

ImproveIT! of Atlanta, LLC is your go-to contractor for your roofing needs in the Metro Atlanta area. With many years of experience under our belt, we provide expert evaluations and can help you find the best solution for your needs and budget. Whether you need roof replacement or repair, you can count on our expertly trained roofers to go the extra mile to make sure the job is done right.

Call us today at (770) 612-5635 or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate. We serve homeowners in Sandy Springs, Marietta, Alpharetta and the surrounding GA areas.