Rotting Fascia Board and its Hazards

Rotting Fascia Board Causes Big Problems for Your Home

The fascia is a vital structural element of your home. High Point Gutter is the company you can trust when you need fast and reliable fascia board replacement or repair in King County or Snohomish County, WA. As a fully licensed, insured, and bonded contractor, we’re able to deliver superior service for all our customers. Our products and services are backed by extensive warranties, so you can feel confident you’ll receive long-lasting results to protect your home against rainwater. With High Point Gutter, you can expect an efficient, reliable service that will keep your home in optimal condition for many years to come. Learn more about the importance of a fascia board for your home, and then contact our team for your fascia board inspection and replacement services.

Does My Home Have a Fascia Board?

Yes! Most homes throughout Snohomish County and King County, WA are designed and built with fascia board. Fascia is the forward-facing part of your home where the exterior walls meet the roof line, acting as a finishing edge that connects the ends of the roof trusses. Fascia can be made from many different materials, including aluminum, wood, vinyl, and more. Maintaining your fascia boards is essential not only for enhancing your home’s curb appeal but also for ensuring your home is protected against moisture. Fascia serves two primary purposes for your home:

• Aesthetic Appeal – Fascia board plays an essential part in your home’s curb appeal. They are installed to create a smooth, straight finish along the roof’s perimeter, providing a polished and complete look. They can be painted or stained to complement your home’s color to add a cohesive element to the exterior design. Fascia also covers the end of the roof rafters, hiding them from view and creating a visually appealing roofline.
• Moisture Protection – The most critical aspect of maintaining a fascia board is the moisture protection it provides your home. Fascia is designed and installed to create a physical barrier between the outdoor elements and the rafters of your home to prevent rain, snow, ice, and even pests from entering your home. They also provide a solid base for gutter installation, which is one of the most critical systems for helping to manage water on your property.

What Are the Signs of Rotted Fascia Board?

Fascia is designed to protect your home from the outdoor elements while improving your home’s curb appeal. However, it can begin to deteriorate after years or even decades, exposing your home to moisture and detracting from the visual appeal. Unfortunately, it may be difficult for homeowners to identify if their fascia is beginning to deteriorate because it’s often covered by their gutter system. At High Point Gutter, we can provide you with a complete assessment of your gutter system, including the fascia, and replace and repair it if necessary. Keep an eye out for the signs that your fascia board is beginning to rot:

• Loose Gutters – Loose gutters can often signal a deeper problem with your home’s fascia boards. Fascia boards provide a sturdy base for your gutters which are typically installed using screws. However, if the fascia boards become rotted due to prolonged exposure to moisture, the degradation prevents the screws from securely holding the gutters in place, resulting in noticeably loose gutters.
• Saggy Gutters – Sagging gutters are an obvious sign of rotted fascia. As the primary support structure for gutters, the fascia boards need to maintain their integrity for your gutters to stay in place. However, prolonged exposure to the elements and damage due to pests can weaken and rot your fascia board, preventing it from supporting your gutters and causing them to sag.
• Detached Gutters – As the deterioration of your fascia begins to worsen, you may notice portions of your gutter system beginning to detach from your home completely. When fascia rot becomes this severe, repair is no longer an option. The fascia will need to be replaced entirely and quickly. Ignoring issues with your fascia can lead to moisture damage in your home.
• Discoloration – Discoloration is a sign of rotting fascia board. As moisture seeps into the wood, it will begin to turn a darker color. The rot can vary in appearance, ranging from dark splotches, streaks, or a generalized darkening of the entire board. Even if your gutters are fully attached, it’s important to have the fascia boards inspected.
• Water In the Attic – When fascia boards deteriorate due to prolonged exposure to moisture, they can no longer effectively protect your home from water. During heavy rain or snowfall, which is common in the area, water may permeate your attic through the rotted fascia, leading to numerous issues inside the home.
• Mold Growth – Mold thrives in damp, dark areas. The rotted fascia board provides the perfect conditions for mold to grow. If you notice mold on the interior walls or ceiling near your roof, it may indicate that water is seeping past the deteriorated fascia and into your home.
• Tree Strike – Your home is constructed to provide comprehensive protection from moisture. However, if a large branch or tree damages your fascia during a storm, it can expose it to the elements, leading to fascia rot. Even if there seem to be no signs of damage from the outside, a trusted expert must conduct a thorough inspection to ensure it’s structurally sound.
• Pests – Pests can also compromise your fascia and contribute to rot. Insects such as termites, beetles, and carpenter ants can bore through the fascia wood, creating an entryway for moisture. Rodents Squirrels, mice, and rats can also damage it by chewing on the fascia or building nests in the gutters.
• Cracks in the Wood – Dramatic temperature changes can cause the fascia board to crack over time. No matter how small, these cracks allow moisture to enter the fascia’s interior, slowly rotting it from the inside out. Your fascia board should be made of one solid piece of material to ensure it’s watertight.

How Can I Prevent Fascia Board Rot?

Prevention is crucial to avoiding costly fascia repair and replacement services. There are numerous simple ways to maintain the structural integrity of your fascia board. Luckily, fascia is easily viewable from the ground, so routinely inspecting your fascia board and noting any changes are effective ways to prevent significant damage that can extend inside your home. Other ways to avoid fascia board rot include the following:

• Clean Your Gutters – Clogged gutters can cause water to spill over the sides, leading to continual moisture exposure of the fascia boards. If water can’t drain sufficiently, the additional weight will cause your gutters to pull away from the fascia, exposing it to moisture damage when it rains.
• Check for a Drip Edge – A drip edge is made of durable material and installed along the edge of your roof. It’s designed to direct water away from the fascia and into the gutters. The drip edge helps prevent water from running down the fascia or seeping behind the board.
• Check for Pests – Maintaining a proactive pest control program is essential for preventing fascia rot. Numerous types of insects, rodents, and birds can compromise your fascia board or accelerate the rot.

Is it Okay to Paint Over Rotting Fascia Board?

Some homeowners may attempt to hide fascia board rots behind a fresh coat of pain. Unfortunately, this solution only temporarily masks the problem. The rot will continue to deteriorate the wood beneath the paint, leading to more structural damage. Instead of a temporary and ineffective “fix,” the solution is to repair or replace the rotted section of the fascia board. Once the underlying issue is resolved, you can proceed with the painting, knowing that the paint enhances protection rather than merely concealing a problem.

What’s the Process of Replacing Rotting Fascia Board?

At High Point Gutter, we provide homeowners with comprehensive rotting fascia board replacement services. Our local team has the skills, experience, and proper tools to quickly repair or replace any rotting fascia board to help protect your home. Unfortunately, the rotting fascia board won’t resolve on its own. It will only get worse. Replacing it at the earliest sign of rot will provide peace of mind while helping you save money. Our team follows a comprehensive fascia board replacement process to ensure outstanding results:

• Inspection – During the initial inspection, our team will identify the areas of concern for your fascia board to determine the full size and scope of the project.
• Removal – If the gutters are still attached to the fascia, we will take the time to remove them. Depending on their condition, we may also recommend gutter replacement services to help preserve your new fascia.
• Replacement – We will measure and cut the new fascia piece to ensure all the rot has been completely removed. Once the new fascia board is installed, we’ll seal it to prevent future rotting.
• Installation – Finally, we’ll reinstall or replace your home’s gutters.

We pride ourselves on our exceptional replacement and new installation services. Our team will take the time to clean up the worksite and your home once the installation project is complete. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to ask our team; we’ll happily answer.

We’re the Team You Can Trust for Fascia Board Replacement

Fascia board, when installed correctly, offers a near-maintenance-free experience. However, if you notice a rotting fascia board in your home, contact the professionals at High Point Gutter. Our bonded and insured team of contractors can quickly replace any fascia to protect your home. Homeowners throughout King County and Snohomish County, WA are all too familiar with the significant rainfall the area receives every year. A structurally sound fascia board is critical for maintaining your home’s curb appeal and ensuring proper gutter installation. Get your service estimate today.