Soffits

Soffits are the narrow strip of ceiling material made of either wood, metal, or pvc that covers the underside of the roof eaves. This part of the house is often ignored by homeowners until rot, corrosion or decay develops which is usually caused by leaks in the roof that drip down and collect in the eaves and on the soffit boards.

Homeowners should inspect the soffits at most once a year because a damaged or decayed soffit may be an indication of even greater damage in the roof structure above. In most cases an ocular inspection will tell whether you have problems or not. Look for badly peeling paint, warped boards, brown water stains, and of course, rotted sections. It’s not enough somply to paint over the area or even replace the soffits. The soffit should be removed so you can examine the rafter tails, the nailers, and the fascia boards from the inside.

If your house is only one storey high, soffit inspection, removal and working under the eaves is fairly easy. On a two-storey house however, it can be quite a hazardous job for the homeowner so it is a must that a professional should handle the job.