A roofing system is not just the roofing material (such as asphalt shingles, wood shakes, metal shingles, etc.) that you typically think about when you consider your home’s primary line of defense against the elements. It’s actually a complex system made up of different parts.
Fascia boards are included in those parts. While fascias don’t receive as much attention as roofing shingles, they play an equally essential role in protecting your home and making it look good.
What Is a Fascia?
The fascia board is the “covering” between the roofing surface and the soffit, which is what covers the bottom of the eaves. The fascia board is vertically positioned along the roofline. This gives the finishing edge or trim that provides the connection between the rafter edges and the trusses.
Fascia boards run parallel to the exterior walls or siding, so they are more visible from the curb than the horizontally positioned soffits that run parallel to the ground. As they are quite visible, fascia boards are not only crucial for roofing protection against moisture but are also important for curb appeal.
Fascia boards are also where gutters are usually attached. Fascia boards can be damaged by water if it gets behind the boards. This is a common problem among homes with clogged gutters, as water does not immediately drain. It’s important to ask your gutter installation professionals about their gutter cleaning services to prevent clogs from forming. You may also consider installing a gutter protection system or gutter cap, which allows water into the gutter but keeps debris such as leaves and branches from ending up in the gutter, as well.
How Is a Fascia Board Protected?
You can prevent your fascias from being drenched in water by installing a drip edge. This piece of metal is L-shaped. It is nailed into the roof decking. Its presence below the first layer of shingles protects the fascia from water penetration. Your roofers should install drip edges, so it’s perfectly fine to ask them about it.
If your roof does not have drip edges, inspect your fascia boards for splinters, discoloration, or cracks, as these are signs of water damage or even the intrusion of small animals such as rats, birds, termites and ants. Call your contractor for immediate roof repair.
Get in touch with Patriot Roofing LLC. Call us today at (405) 217-0473 or fill out this form. We work with homeowners and business owners in Midwest City, OK.