A Must-Know Guide to Soffit and Fascia Repair in Colorado Springs

As a Colorado Springs homeowner, you're likely familiar with what your roof rafters, or roof trim, are. But you're likely less familiar with the technical term for these parts of your home. Also called decking, rafters and trim are broken down into soffits and fascia boards. They serve a range of functions, including helping your home look aesthetically pleasing. When there is a problem with this region of your house that require soffit and/or fascia repair, call Mr. Handyman of Colorado Springs as soon as possible.

Trim is an essential part of what makes your home's facade look beautiful. It's like the frame around a picture. Without it, it's like something is missing. However, did you know that fascia and soffit boards are actually essential to keeping your home safe from a range of perils? These seemingly small boards help to protect your ceiling and attic from pests, water damage, and weather elements.

This is why it is vital to maintain your soffits and fascia boards and get them repaired at the first sign of an issue. Knowing more about these important areas of your home, you will be better prepared to troubleshoot problems before they escalate. Replacing fascia and soffit boards is a real headache. It's also a headache that can be avoided with regular Colorado Springs soffit service.

To help you understand what you need to know about Colorado Springs soffit service and other related services, our team of Colorado Springs handyman experts put together the following guide. At Mr. Handyman of Colorado Springs, S Littleton, and Parker, we know lots of homeowners have questions about soffit service, and we have the answers.

Since your home is one of your most important assets, our expert service technicians are more than happy to help you be proactive and learn the signs of damage to prevent the need for costly fascia and soffit repair in Colorado Springs. That way, you will be able to make an informed decision about how to address soffit and fascia board damage in the future.

What are Soffits and Fascia Boards?

To begin with the basics, soffits and fascia boards make up roof trim. They are essentially two boards that work together to keep your home's exterior looking attractive while preventing a range of issues from damaging your home.

SOFFITS VS. FASCIA BOARDS

Soffits run beneath your roof while fascia boards are perpendicular to these beams. They're what you see when looking directly at your house. Usually, these are what rain gutters are attached to.

PRO TIP:

If you're getting ready to sell your home soon or simply want to update its appearance, trim painting is a quick and easy way to give your exterior a mini-makeover and boost curb appeal in Colorado Springs, CO.

WHAT ARE THEY MADE OF?

Soffits and fascia boards can be made out of a wide variety of materials, such as:

• Aluminum: This material helps deter pests, which prevents unpleasant creatures from getting into your home. It is also fireproof, incredibly durable, and inexpensive to install.
• Steel: Offering similar benefits to aluminum, what sets steel apart is that it is even more durable than other metals. This is also reflected in its price point.
• Wood: This material is the most original and traditional type of trim. It is classically beautiful. However, wood does require frequent maintenance to prevent wood rot and other issues from occurring.
• Vinyl/PVC (polyvinyl chloride): This material is very low-maintenance compared to other materials, such as wood. It doesn't require repainting and cleans easily with a power washing service once or twice a year. However, its biggest advantage is that it is relatively affordable and lasts a long time.
• Fiber cement: There are many advantages to having fiber cement fascia boards. It lasts upwards of 50 years, is available in a range of colors and styles, and is fire and heat-resistant. And it emulates the look of real wood but does not rot.

Why are Soffit and Fascia Boards Important?

It's easy to forget about the roofline until it's too late—and only when you need professional Colorado Springs soffit service do you remember how integral these architectural elements are. While they don't take up much space, unlike siding, they still contribute to protecting your property. Some of the ways fascia and soffits protect your home includes:

• Preventing moisture from entering your attic, thus damaging wood rafters or drywall
• Securing gutters against the outside of your house
• Venting excess heat/moisture out of the roof space by ensuring proper airflow and improved attic ventilation
• Stopping pests from infiltrating your home

What Causes Colorado Springs Soffit and Fascia Board Damage?

Just like any other part of your home, while the trim is built to last and withstand the elements, it will deteriorate over time. Two of the most common causes of damage that will require you to hire Colorado Springs soffit service include:

CLOGGED GUTTERS

When one part of your roof is not maintained, it can have an impact on all the other areas of your home. Clogged gutters are a prime example. Your gutters are connected to your fascia boards, so it's not a surprise that poor gutter maintenance is one of the leading causes of soffits and fascia damage. Not to mention, poorly maintained gutters can impact your property in many ways. It's not just your roofline that experiences the consequences of poor gutter maintenance.

How Do I Maintain My Gutters?

It's absolutely essential that gutters are cleaned out at least twice a year in Colorado Springs, possibly more if you have lots of trees by your home or if your community just experienced a big storm. When the system is clogged, it impedes proper water flow. It's important that rainwater and snowmelt are able to move freely through your gutter system and be safely disposed of through downspouts. When clogged, the water won't be emptied at a safe distance from your home's foundation, but rather it will spill over the sides and cause a range of problems, affecting your siding, foundation, yard, and basement—and, of course, your roof structure.

Gutter cleaning is a tedious and messy job, and it can also be unsafe since it requires climbing up a ladder. The good news is that the experts at Mr. Handyman of Colorado Springs, S Littleton, and Parker are pros at gutter cleaning. We're happy to take care of this home maintenance task on your behalf.

EXPOSURE TO ELEMENTS

The other reason why you might need fascia or soffit repairs in Colorado Springs is because of wear from the elements. Since these structural elements are designed to protect your home from the elements, they also bear the brunt of rain, water, hail, snow, and UV rays. This means they will wear down over time.

In addition, strong winds are capable of blowing rain to the soffit vents, where it may accumulate and not evaporate properly. This could potentially cause wood rot to develop in your Colorado Springs home. One way to prevent these issues is to ensure your trim is in good condition.

What Are the Signs You Need Colorado Springs Soffit Service?

Knowing when to hire a Colorado Springs soffit service isn't always easy. It can be difficult to spot signs of damage along your trim—or to even think about checking the area for signs of damage in the first place. However, there are a few red flags to watch for:

GUTTER DAMAGE

As we've established, your gutters are connected to your trim. So damaged gutters can lead to trim damage and vice versa. The nails or fasteners that hold your gutter system up will begin to pull away from your roof when fascia boards become soft or rotted. If your gutters are not cleaned, the accumulating debris will make the system very heavy. They will start to sag and possibly break away from your roofline. This will require Colorado Springs soffit service, fascia service, and other roofline repairs.

WATER DAMAGE ON INTERIOR WALLS

Water damage on interior walls near your roofline usually indicates a leak. It could be that part of your trim is cracked, and water is seeping into your home through the weakened area. Water damage is a serious concern, giving you all the more reason to be sure you regularly inspect your trim for signs that you need repair service and to routinely clean your gutters.

DISCOLORATION

Strange colored patches along your roofline typically mean you have a rot or moisture problem. It can take a while to notice these issues, as wood rot spores are so microscopic they're impossible to see until it's too late. It can take months before you finally see rot itself, and one of the first places you may notice these issues pop up are on your fascia panels.

FLAKING PAINT

While new builds are more likely to have aluminum or vinyl trim if you live in an older residence, it's likely you have wood trim that has been painted over. Paint is aesthetically pleasing, and it helps prevent water damage. However, flaking paint isn't just a sign that your paint job is old. It could mean that moisture has infiltrated the wood.

CRACKS OR HOLES

Different materials crack, chip, and/or dent. Temperature fluctuations can cause most materials to expand and contract, which results in cracks. Vinyl, in particular, is prone to cracking with age as it can become brittle as time goes on. Likewise, wood can also become cracked or loose due to constant exposure to the elements.

How Can I Maintain My Roofline?

If you've noticed any of the issues above, then you likely need soffit repair or other roof repair services. The best team to handle these repairs for you are the experts at Mr. Handyman of Colorado Springs, S Littleton, and Parker. Each of our service technicians is highly experienced and can provide a wide range of services. We always act with the utmost professionalism and provide outstanding customer service.

While our pro team will be there to help with fascia and soffit repair in Colorado Springs, CO, there are a number of steps you can take to keep your roofline in good shape and expand its lifespan while preventing the need for repairs or replacement services.

• The easiest way to prevent trim damage is by maintaining your gutters with routine gutter cleaning and repairs. Ignoring gutter maintenance can also cause a range of other issues, such as flooding your basement and/or attic.
• Power washing services give your trim, and other exterior surfaces a thorough cleaning and helps to get rid of any build-up while increasing curb appeal.
• Inspect your property at least twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, to assess any signs of damage. This is also a good opportunity to check for signs of wood rot.
• Sand and paint any damaged boards. Paint helps prevent water damage, which may cause wood rot, mildew, and moisture build-up. If you need help with these tasks, our team of experts can help.

Need Colorado Springs Soffit Services? Book an Appointment Today!

At Mr. Handyman of Colorado Springs, S Littleton, and Parker, we're known throughout Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas for our dedication to excellent workmanship and customer service. Not only can we help with fascia and soffit repair in Colorado Springs, CO, but we can also assist with a wide range of property improvements, such as tile installation, bathroom remodeling, and other home remodeling projects.

Our team will work hard to make you have a positive experience with our company from start to finish. From our hardworking office staff who keep operations running smoothly to our skillful and friendly technicians, customer satisfaction is always our top priority.

To get your trim looking and functioning at its best today, we invite you to call our team. We look forward to helping with your future home improvement projects!