Fascia and soffit repair
Gutters are only as strong as the board they hang on. Fix the rot first and the gutters stay put.
Fascia is the trim board along the roof edge where gutters attach. Soffit is the underside of the overhang. When a gutter overflows or leaks for years, water soaks the fascia, the wood rots, and the gutter hangers lose their grip. Fascia and soffit repair replaces that damaged wood, and often wraps it in aluminum, so the gutters and guards that go back up have a solid base. It's common on older York homes with wood trim and anywhere gutters have spilled over for a long time.
Signs of fascia or soffit damage
- Peeling paint or dark stains on the roof-edge trim
- Soft wood when pressed with a screwdriver
- Gutters that won't stay tight no matter how often they're re-nailed
- Sagging or holes in the soffit
- Birds, wasps or squirrels getting into the overhang
- Water stains on the siding just under the roofline
Why does fascia rot here?
Water and time. With about 46.5 inches of precipitation in a normal York year, a clogged or undersized gutter gets plenty of chances to overflow onto the board behind it. Ice that builds in the gutter in winter can force meltwater behind the drip edge as well. Many older homes around York still have original painted wood trim. Once the paint fails, the board soaks up water every storm.
What's involved in the repair?
- Taking down the gutters on the damaged section
- Cutting out rotted fascia and checking the rafter tails behind it
- Installing new boards, often wrapped in aluminum trim coil
- Replacing damaged soffit panels and vents
- Adding or correcting drip edge so roof water lands in the gutter
- Re-hanging or replacing the gutters
Fix the gutter cause, too
Replacing a board without fixing the overflow that rotted it just starts the clock again. Ask the installer what caused the damage. It might be a clog, a missing downspout, a gutter that's too small or a missing drip edge. Make sure that cause is part of the plan.
What affects the cost?
- Feet of fascia and soffit that need replacing.
- Hidden rot in rafter tails or roof sheathing.
- Wood, composite or aluminum-wrapped trim.
- Gutter work bundled into the same visit.
The company you're connected with prices the job after seeing the damage. We don't quote prices.
Where we connect you with help
Common questions
Can new gutters go on rotted fascia?
They should not. Hangers need solid wood to grip, so rotted boards should be replaced before new gutters or guards are installed.
Is aluminum fascia wrap a good idea?
Wrapping new or sound wood fascia in aluminum trim coil keeps water and sun off the board and cuts down on painting. It does not fix rot that is already there.
Related services
More background: York County gutter guide.
Gutters overflowing or packed with leaves?
Call and get connected with a York County gutter company that can look at your roofline and quote guards or repairs.