Solved! Who Repairs Soffit and Fascia?

Q: The paint on my fascia board is chipped, and my wooden soffit looks like it’s rotting from excess moisture. But I’ve never had to fix this problem before. Who repairs soffit and fascia? Who should I call?

A: Soffit and fascia are more than just architectural elements that make the exterior of your home look good—they also protect your home by keeping pests like birds, bats, and squirrels from gaining entrance to the inside of the house.

What are soffit and fascia, anyway? Fascia and soffit are the exposed siding under a roof’s overhang and are traditionally constructed of aluminum or wood. Fascias and soffits can show wear and tear over time—especially if you live in a climate that receives consistent heavy rain or experiences prolonged, snowy winters.

When your soffit or fascia board shows signs of water rot, cracked or flaking paint, or pest infestation, it may be time to contact a professional for fascia repair or soffit replacement. If you need to know who repairs soffit and fascia, the following guide can help you narrow down which professional to call to get these outdoor elements back in mint condition.

Roofers and contractors can typically handle soffit and fascia repair. 

Licensed roofers and contractors can usually take care of soffit and fascia repair. These professionals can either repair or replace your fascia and soffit, depending on the specific requirements of the project. You can start the repair process by searching “soffit repair near me” and vetting the individuals or businesses that come up by reading reviews. You can also reach out to neighbors and friends and ask who they’ve used for similar projects, including any roofing repairs or replacements. If several homes in your neighborhood were built around the same time, they might be experiencing similar issues with soffit and fascia related to general wear and tear.

For fascia board or soffit repair, a roofer or contractor will likely need to inspect the damaged area. They’ll provide a quote for what repair or replacement will cost. If you’re already going to hire a professional roofing contractor, you may want to inquire about a roof inspection. Issues with soffit and fascia can sometimes indicate issues with the roof structure as a whole. As with any home repair project, it’s best to get to the root of the problem rather than trying to patch over issues cosmetically.

Gutter professionals may also be able to handle soffit and fascia problems. 

A gutter expert is another professional who can provide soffit repair or fascia replacement. Since soffits and fascia are located so closely to your gutters, the gutters could be causing any issues, especially if they’re moisture related. The fascia often provides a layer of support to help keep the home’s gutters stable, and problems with fascia are often discovered once gutters are removed or repaired. Companies that repair or replace gutters will typically teach their technicians about the basics of roofing, including soffit and fascia. Whether you’re having your gutters serviced or not, a professional will likely need to replace or repair the fascia first, then the soffit and gutters.

Before hiring a pro, identify all the damaged areas and take photos. 

It’s wise to take photos of the damaged areas before you hire a professional to address the problems, both for your benefit and theirs. This way, you can send your pictures to roofers, contractors, or gutter experts beforehand so they can determine the best course of action and estimate how much repairs or replacement might cost.

Plus, photos of the damage will be helpful in case the root cause of the soffit and fascia problems is a peril that homeowners insurance policy will cover. If a roof leak due to sudden damage or heavy snow causes damage to your soffit and fascia, your insurance company may pay for some of the repairs. It’s advised to read your policy before attempting to file a claim or contacting your insurance agent to determine whether the issue will be covered or not.

Soffit and fascia are prone to moisture, mold, and rot.  

Because they are located on the exterior of your home, soffit and fascia are more likely to show signs of exposure to moisture. If you live in an older home, a home with wooden soffit and fascia, or an area that experiences harsh winters or severe storms, your soffit and fascia are even more prone to moisture, mold, and rot. Suppose rotting fascia and soffit aren’t addressed. In that case, it could potentially lead to damage to the home’s interior, which would end up being much more expensive than the $15 to $30 per linear foot that it costs for fascia board repair or soffit and fascia replacement.

If you see signs of mold on your fascia or soffit, you can attempt to remove or treat it with a mixture of one part vinegar to three parts water applied with a cloth or small brush. Although this can remove mold in some cases, you may be dealing with a problem that could return or even spread if the mold isn’t completely removed. Mold removal professionals should treat areas of mold that are larger than 10 square feet. Areas of rotting wood or corroding metal will need to be replaced.

Animals, bees, and wasps may make nests in soffit and fascia. 

Soffit, fascia, and gutters make convenient hiding places for pests. Evidence of animals, bees, or wasps in soffit and fascia requires the help of a pest control professional. This issue should be addressed before you contact someone to repair fascia or soffit, since the pests’ presence will need to be eliminated first. Experienced pest control professionals will be able to create an effective plan to remove any insects or animals that have made a home on or in your roof.

Termites can also damage wooden soffit and fascia. 

As well as being at risk for water damage, wooden soffit and fascia are potential feeding and breeding grounds for termites. If you’ve already spotted termites inside the home, there’s a good chance they’re already damaging parts of the home’s exterior, too. Typical indicators of termites include small piles of sawdust and visible wood rot or wood that has literally been eaten away.

The presence of termites will also mean you’ll need to call a termite removal pro before hiring someone to repair or replace the soffit and fascia. This first step ensures the termites are entirely removed from your property so that they don’t return to wreak more havoc on your home once the repairs are done. If the damage is bad enough, your fascia or soffit may need to be completely replaced to make sure your home’s structure is sound.

Verify any licenses and references before hiring.

When it comes to performing work on your roof, your specific city or state may have different certification requirements for roofing or gutter professionals due to the precarious nature of working on roofs. For example, in Austin, Texas, or Newark, New Jersey, roofers are licensed at the city level. Before you hire a roofer, contractor, or gutter expert to work on your fascia or soffit, you can search online for their license by state to verify that they’re qualified. These professionals have to provide proof of formal training or a specific amount of on-the-job training to obtain a license. Verifying their license and qualifications beforehand helps ensure they’re legally able to do the job and have the experience to perform it well.

It’s preferable to hire a pro to fix roofing problems.

You may be an experienced DIYer with enough confidence in your skill set to take on a repair job like this. However, for the sake of safety, it’s always best to hire a professional for roofing problems. One wrong move could result in a devastating injury when heights come into play.

A professional roofing company or contracting company will have crew members who are not only insured but also have their work covered by a warranty in case anything goes wrong or needs to be fixed after the initial repair. Although it may be tempting to take these repairs on yourself, any money you save could potentially be lost to medical bills due to injuries sustained during repairs or damage you inadvertently cause. The cost may be more up front than if you did the repairs yourself, but having a professional do the repairs will pay off in the long run.

Sources: HGTV