Getting new fascias, soffits or guttering fitted in Sawston is only half the job - what you do in the years afterwards determines how long the work lasts and whether you face the same problems again.
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Fascias are the boards that run along the roofline, carrying the guttering. Soffits close off the underside of the eaves. Guttering collects water from the roof and directs it to the downpipes. All three are exposed to the elements continuously, and all three can deteriorate if not given occasional attention.
A proper installation uses uPVC, timber or aluminium boards fixed securely to the rafter feet, with guttering bracketed at the correct spacing and pitched toward the downpipe. Joints should be sealed or gasket-fitted so there are no leaks. If the work was done correctly, the system will function without problems for many years - but only if it is looked after in a few straightforward ways.
Blocked gutters are the most common cause of premature fascia failure. When a gutter fills with leaf debris, moss and compacted dirt, it holds water. That standing water sits against the back of the fascia board, soaks into any timber, freezes in winter and forces joints apart. A gutter that was fitted perfectly will fail well ahead of its expected life if it is not cleared.
On most houses in Sawston, clearing gutters twice a year is the right approach - once in late autumn after the leaves have fallen, and once in spring after winter debris has accumulated. Properties with large overhanging trees nearby may need more frequent clearing. The job involves scooping debris from the gutter channel, flushing with water to check the fall is correct and that water reaches the downpipe without pooling.
Downpipes need checking too. A blocked downpipe causes water to back up into the gutter above, which overflows onto the fascia and the wall. A simple test is to pour a bucket of water into the top of the downpipe and watch whether it clears quickly at the bottom. If it drains slowly or not at all, the pipe is partially blocked.
A visual check from ground level twice a year takes only a few minutes and can catch problems before they become expensive. Look for the following from the pavement or garden:
Any of these spotted early can usually be fixed with a minor repair. Left for another year, the same problem often means replacing a full run of board or a section of guttering.
If your fascias and soffits are timber, the paint is the only thing standing between the wood and the weather. Once the paint film cracks or lifts, water gets in, the wood swells, the paint lifts further and rot follows. Timber fascias typically need repainting every five to eight years, depending on which direction they face and how much sun they get.
Before repainting, any flaking paint should be stripped back to a firm edge, the surface should be sanded and any cracks should be filled with an exterior wood filler before priming. Painting over loose or flaking paint without preparing the surface properly wastes time and money - the new coat will lift along with the old one.
If a section of timber is already soft when you press it, paint will not save it. That section needs cutting out and replacing before you paint, otherwise the rot continues underneath the fresh finish.
uPVC fascias and soffits do not need painting, but they do accumulate algae and green mould, particularly on north-facing elevations. Left for years, algae can stain the surface permanently and also holds moisture against the board in a way that accelerates joint movement. A wash with a diluted household detergent and a soft brush, followed by a rinse with clean water, removes most growth. Do this every couple of years and the boards will stay presentable without any further work.
Avoid pressure washers at high pressure on uPVC fascias. They can force water behind boards, dislodge soffit ventilation strips and drive water under roof tiles at the eaves. A garden hose with a brush attachment is sufficient and much less likely to cause damage.
On uPVC guttering, joints are typically made with a rubber gasket inside a union connector. Over time, gaskets can harden, shrink or slip. The first sign is usually a drip or a trickle from the joint during heavy rain. Replacing a gasket is a simple job: the gutter sections are pulled apart, the old gasket cleaned out and a new one pressed into place. This costs very little if caught early.
If a joint has been leaking for some time, the bracket behind it may have rusted if it is steel, or the fascia behind may be stained or softened. Deal with the joint first and then check what lies behind it. A drip that is ignored for a season or two can track down behind the fascia, wet the wall plate and cause timber damage that is disproportionately expensive to fix.
Downpipes are fixed to the wall with pipe clips, usually at one-metre intervals. Over time these can corrode, pull away from the wall (especially if the masonry is soft or the plug has failed) or simply work loose through thermal movement. A downpipe that is only held at one or two points starts to vibrate in wind, which accelerates joint failure. Walk around the house and check that every pipe clip is tight and that the downpipe sits close to the wall along its full length.
Frost and ice do more damage to guttering and soffits than most people expect. Ice forming in a blocked gutter is heavy and can deform uPVC gutters or snap brackets. When the ice melts, joints that have been forced apart by expansion will then leak. After a cold winter, checking gutter joints and the fixings on any sections that were exposed to ice build-up is time well spent.
Frost can also crack uPVC soffits, particularly where the board was already stressed at a joint. A crack that appears over winter should be dealt with in spring before the next season of rain drives water behind the board.
Some maintenance tasks - clearing gutters on a single-storey extension, for example - can be done safely from a short ladder. Work at full eaves height on a two-storey house should not be attempted from a ladder without proper support. Safe access for fascia and gutter work on a two-storey house requires a scaffold tower or a ladder that is properly footed and stayed.
Cambridge Roofers carry out fascia, soffit and guttering maintenance, repairs and full replacements in Sawston. If you would like someone to inspect your eaves and give you a clear picture of what needs attention, ask a qualified roofer for a survey.
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