If you're like most Columbia homeowners, it's unlikely your roof's fascia crosses your mind very often. Perhaps you're not even certain what fascia actually is, and that's what brought you to this blog in the first place.
Essentially, fascia is roof trim and is also referred to as roof decking. It's a front-facing, straight board that runs horizontally along the roof, and is placed vertically under roof rafters. It's not the planks running directly beneath the roof—those are soffit boards. Fascia actually protects soffits from the elements and water damage. It insulates the space between your roof and the outdoors, while increasing the aesthetic appeal of your home. Lastly, trim also supports your gutters.
Perhaps you were inspecting your property as part of a seasonal maintenance routine, and noticed a spot of damage to your trim below the rafter. Or maybe your roof is looking a little worse for wear and you're considering hiring installation services to replace the damaged areas. Either way, the expert service professionals at Mr. Handyman of Greater Columbia and Eldersburg can help.
Not only do we offer superior fascia repair, installation, and maintenance services, but our team also always puts customers first. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and it shows through our friendly, reliable, quality service.
If you're curious to learn more about how to prevent the need for repairs, or you're keen to discover the options to replace your current fascia material, keep reading.
Proper Maintenance Routine
First and foremost, as with any part of your home, proper upkeep is key for improving the aesthetic appeal and longevity of fascia. Moisture, strong winds, and pests can all take their toll on your trim. Protecting this part of your roof in turn ensures the exterior and interior of your home are protected from mold, mildew, and wood rot.
Also, although it may only seem like a small strip of material, roof decking contributes to the energy efficiency of your home. Soffits and fascia allow for free airflow between the roof and attic. Working together with your insulation, this constant air circulation prevents ice dams from forming in the winter. It also helps free hot air trapped in your roof rafters. The free exchange of air ventilates your home.
The following tips will help you keep your fascia and soffits in excellent condition, so you don't have to worry about costly repairs, damage to your home's structure, or poor energy efficiency.
Regularly Check for Damage
You should look for damage to your roof decking at least twice a year: once in the fall and once in the spring. The easiest way to incorporate this into your routine is to walk through your property while you complete other seasonal maintenance, like cleaning gutters and siding. Be sure to check out your property from a variety of angles, and use a flashlight to look at hard-to-reach areas. You're looking for signs of:
Cracks
Discoloration
Warping/buckling
Missing boards
Exposed nails
Splinters
Rot/deterioration
Staining
Peeling paint
Remove Insect Nests Promptly
Living in Maryland, you're likely no stranger to bees, wasps, and even hornets nesting below your rafters. Often, your trim makes a cozy place for insects because it's up high and relatively protected from the elements. Removing nests safely can be difficult, especially if you need to go on a ladder. It's best to ask a professional for help—especially to remove bee's nests, as they may be an endangered species.
Install Drip Edge Boards
Does your home have a drip edge? It should, because this part of your roof is critical to prevent fascia damage. A drip edge is an L-shaped piece of metal attached to your trim. It sits below the first layer of shingles. It protects your decking by safely directing water away to prevent moisture damage.
Keep Gutters Clean
Few Columbia homeowners enjoy cleaning out gutters—for good reason. It's a mucky, time-consuming job that can be dangerous if you're not comfortable on ladders. That said, gutter cleaning is a very important task. Gutters move rainwater and snow melt away from your home through down pipes. They direct water to a safe distance away from your home's foundation. This prevents issues with erosion and water seepage. But if your gutters are clogged, the water spills over the edge and damages siding, soffits, and fascia. Gutters can even collapse if not cleaned properly at least twice a year.
If you don't have time, the inclination, or don't feel safe to clean your gutters on your own, the service professionals at Mr. Handyman can take care of it for you.
Trim Installation Options
If you're considering installing new roof decking because your current boards are damaged, outdated or you want to boost your home's curb appeal, there's a wide range of options available to you. Before hiring replacement services, consider the many types of fascia board materials to choose from:
Wooden Fascia Boards
Wooden board is commonly used for trim and soffits alike. Although wooden materials don't last as long as vinyl or aluminum, when treated and maintained correctly you can still get significant longevity out of your wood fascia boards. Also, wood is much better for the environment and fairly cost-effective. One drawback is that it can be prone to wood rot. Rain and snow melt both create a damp environment ideal for rot to spore—particularly in the areas of your trim that are not exposed to sunlight. Regular painting can help protect your wooden fascia boards from moisture, and contributes to your curb appeal.
Vinyl Fascia Boards
There are many pros of vinyl boards. They're highly durable, easy to install, and have low maintenance costs compared to other materials, like wood. Vinyl, also known as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), is a type of plastic. One of the cons of vinyl is that it's not a very eco-friendly material. Also, it tends to fade in prolonged sun exposures and can be stained by algae and mildew. Yet, both vinyl soffits and trim are available in tons of options for both style and color.
Composite Fascia Boards
Although composite trim is more expensive than other types of fascia, it has many benefits. Composite materials are rot, mildew, and mold resistant, and are made out of recycled wood chips and sawdust bonded with epoxy resin. It's long-lasting, durable, and available in tons of colors and styles. It can also emulate the look of wood. Additionally, composite fascia boards are weather resistant. You can change the look of composite trim by adding a coat or two of exterior paint.
Aluminum Fascia Boards
Aluminum is a very low-maintenance material that's also highly durable. An easy way to weather-proof your wood fascia boards is to apply a layer of aluminum on top. This material is very flexible and lasts a very long time. You can also paint it in a range of color options to match the aesthetic of your home.
When to Call the Pros at Mr. Handyman
If part of your decking is missing, you've noticed damage to your trim, or you want to boost the visual appeal of your home with new fascia, it's time to call the service professionals at Mr. Handyman of Greater Columbia and Eldersburg. Not only can we keep your fascia boards looking their best, but we also provide a range of other outdoor improvement services such as: fence repair and installation, fixing damaged doors, cleaning out gutters, and repairing siding.
Trust your personal property to the experts at Mr. Handyman. With one call, we'll get all your seasonal to-dos done so you can take back your leisure time. To book an appointment today, we invite you to call our friendly customer service representatives at 410-593-1920. You can also reach us online by requesting professional service.