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What is a Soffit and Why Does My Roof Need One?

soffit repair nashville

Soffits are an architectural element that is meant to conceal the underside of anything. They can be used on a roof or elsewhere.

Roof soffits are the material between the roof eaves and the side of the house. If you stand outside your front door and look up, if your home has a soffit, you'll see what looks like siding that veers out from the side underneath the eave.  If you still aren't sure what a soffit is, you can always ask a local roofing contractor to point it out for you.


Why a Soffit is Important


The soffit helps ventilate the attic and regulate your home's temperature. It draws in cool, dry air and keeps warm moist air that could create mold from entering the attic.


In the past, gable vents or hood vents were used to circulate attic air.  With these, only air in specific areas was able to circulate, allowing moisture and mold to accumulate in the areas where the air didn't circulate. Because the soffit outlines the roofline, there is continuous ventilation throughout the entire attic, helping to draw heat and moisture away.


The soffit is also a great pest barrier.  It prevents critters from entering the attic through the roofline, saving you a lot of headaches and money.


Common Signs of Soffit Damage


Soffits can become damaged over time. The most common type of damage that a homeowner is likely to notice are the coming loose or sagging, and in rarer cases, you may also notice missing parts.


In the case of large sections of your soffit being missing, you will definitely want to get it repaired as soon as possible because this makes ventilation nearly impossible.  This means that your attic will not be able to breathe properly which could lead to mold buildup and increased moisture retention in your home.


When a soffit becomes damaged and starts moving around, fixing it should be at the top of your priority list because if you don't fix it right away, animals may find their way into the home through that opening.


Other signs of possible damage include:


Peeling, cracked, or flaking paint - Not only is this aesthetically unpleasing, peeling and cracked paint can lead to water damage.


Gutter leaks - because the soffit and fascia are so close to the gutter system, a leak will most likely cause water damage to this area.


Ventilation problems - the soffit's main purpose is attic ventilation, which in turn improves the efficiency of the home's heating and cooling system. If you notice issues with your home's ventilation, the soffit could be blocked or damaged.


Presence of pests - if you find any type of pests or rodents in the attic, they have more than likely entered because of an issue with the soffit or fascia.


How to Prolong the Life of the Soffit


As long as they're installed correctly, soffits typically need little maintenance.  Here are ways to help prolong its life:

  • make sure soffit is caulked and sealed well
  • install the right size gutters
  • keep gutters cleaned out
  • make sure attic fan functions properly
  • keep soffit clean, remove mildew as soon as possible
  • watch for wasps, bees, and hornet nests


How Often Should Soffits be Replaced?


Whole soffit replacement is not needed as often as some other roofing repairs. Usually, it only needs to be replaced if there are rotting boards, moss and mildew growth, or serious water damage. If the roof on your house has seen better days or you're just tired of looking at it, then a whole new soffit system could be in order. On flat roofs - if any part of the existing structure is rusted out or damaged beyond repair - you will most likely have to replace the entire thing for safety reasons. This is because an old rusty metal surface that's been covered with shingles poses a lot of risk during a storm and its potential collapse can lead to one serious injury (or worse).


What is the Best Material for a Soffit?


Roof soffits are usually made of metal and wood, although there is more variety in the market now. Composite deck material and aluminum can also be used for this purpose. Metal is the most common choice because it's durable, provides a good supply of ventilation, and lasts for years to come. Aluminum is especially ideal if you live in an area that's prone to hail storms, since it doesn't shatter like glass or other delicate materials will when hit by tough objects from above such as hailstones.


Wooden soffits are traditional but require paint every few years at least - that's because they tend to rot rather quickly unless they're sprayed with protective coatings regularly throughout heat-humidity weather seasons.


Your Local Nashville Soffit Experts


Whether you need soffit repairs, replacement, maintenance, or even just an inpsection, Nashville Roofers would love to help!  Give us a call today for a free estimate!

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