You may be familiar with your roof, but do you know the other important components? Fascias, also known as fascia boards, have been around since Greek and Roman times. They are the vertical boards running underneath the roof edge, designed to help minimize wind and rain damage.
The gutters are attached to the fascias and are designed to catch the rain water and channel it to a safe place that won’t interfere with the foundation. Soffits are the underside of fascia boards, and the two pieces work together to protect your roof in a few ways.They will keep out animals trying to climb into your attic, and they will stop the wind and rain from blowing up under the roof. It is very hard for the wind to blow up once it has blown over; this recessed design is made specifically for this reason.
It is just as important to keep your fascias and soffits in good condition as it is to look after your shingles, if you want to keep your home in the best condition possible. It is not hard to do; most homeowner’s insurance policies will cover damage to these items, but they won’t cover neglect. Since these two areas on your house are protected from the weather, they rarely get much wind and hail damage, but they can experience wood rot when gutters are not properly cleaned and maintained.
Because gutters are often damaged by the weather, it is important to keep up with their maintenance in order to protect your facias and soffits. If gutters are not pitched right, they will collect pooling water and let it stand until it evaporates. This water will over time collect debris in the air, germinate seeds, attract animals, and if left in there over the winter, will freeze and pull the gutters right off the house.
These are just some of the reasons why a strong home needs strong fascias and soffits. If your roofing system has not been inspected in some time, give us a call at Iron River Construction, and let us give you a free Minnesota roofing inspection. We know what to look for, and are glad to take care of a new customer. You may not need us now, but eventually, most homeowners will, so give us a call today. 952-443-1762
