What fascias and soffits do
The fascia is the vertical board you see behind the gutter. It is fixed to the rafter feet and gives the gutter brackets something to screw into. The soffit is the horizontal board on the underside of the eaves, running back towards the wall.
Many houses also have a small vented gap or grille in the soffit. That lets air move into the roof space, which helps keep the loft dry. Blocking that airflow when boards are replaced can lead to condensation in the loft later on.
Signs the boards need attention
Flaking paint, soft patches you can press a thumb into and dark staining behind the gutter all point to timber that has been wet for a long time. Gaps at the joints, boards that have dropped away from the wall and birds getting in at the eaves are other clues.
Check where the problem is worst. Rot is often concentrated near a leaking gutter joint or an outlet, which tells you the gutter and the board have failed together.
uPVC fascia replacement
There are two broad approaches. Capping fits a thin uPVC cover over existing timber, which only makes sense if the wood underneath is sound. Full replacement removes the old boards so the rafter ends can be seen, any rotten timber dealt with, and new boards fixed directly to the structure.
Because the fascia supports the bottom course of the roof covering, the eaves detail is checked as part of the job. On many older roofs the felt at the eaves has perished, so an eaves protection tray may be fitted to carry water cleanly into the new gutter. Ventilation is reinstated at the same time.
New fascias and soffits are normally paired with new guttering, since the old brackets come off with the boards. The finish, profile and colour are agreed beforehand.
Timber, uPVC and keeping the look of the house
Painted timber can look right on a period property, but it needs regular decorating to stay sound. uPVC fascias need far less upkeep and come in white, black and wood-effect finishes, so the colour can be chosen to suit the windows and guttering.
On a terrace, it is worth thinking about how new boards will sit next to the neighbours' eaves. A matching profile and colour keeps the street looking tidy, and a neat finish where the two properties meet avoids a gap that birds or rain could use.
When the roof is part of the picture
If the rafter feet themselves have rotted, or the bottom rows of tiles have been sitting on soft timber, the repair can extend onto the roof. On a house already due for a new covering, it often makes sense to renew the fascias and soffits at the same time so the scaffold is only needed once.
Access and planning
Fascia and soffit work runs the full length of an elevation, so it usually needs scaffold or a tower rather than ladders. Terraced houses with shared eaves need a little more thought about where one property's boards finish and the next begins. Mention any conservatory, porch or bay beneath the eaves, as these affect where access can go.
Requesting a quote
Let us know which sides of the house are affected, whether the guttering is also leaking, and if you have noticed birds or draughts in the loft. We can then talk through the options and provide a free quote.