How do you fix fascia on a house?
Short answer. To fix fascia, take down the gutter along the damaged run, cut out the rotted board back to sound wood at a rafter tail, install a new board of primed lumber, PVC or composite, seal and paint every joint, then reinstall the gutter with proper slope. The repair only lasts if you also fix the cause, usually overflowing gutters, missing drip edge or a missing gutter apron.
Step by step
- Find the extent. Probe the board and the rafter tails behind it with a screwdriver. Soft wood goes.
- Remove the gutter and any aluminum wrap along the damaged run.
- Cut out the rot, with joints landing on the center of a rafter tail. A 45 degree scarf joint sheds water better than a square butt joint.
- Repair soft rafter tails by sistering new lumber alongside.
- Install the new board. Prime all sides and cut ends of wood before installing, or use PVC or composite trim that does not rot. Fasten with corrosion-resistant nails or screws into each rafter tail.
- Seal and paint the joints and fastener heads.
- Fix the roof edge. Make sure drip edge is present and add a gutter apron so water cannot run behind the gutter.
- Rehang the gutter with hidden hangers screwed into the rafter tails, sloped toward the downspouts.
About aluminum wrap
Wrapping fascia in aluminum coil cuts down on painting, but only over dry, sound wood. Wrap over rot hides the damage while trapping moisture, and nails through the top of the wrap can let water in behind it.
Safety and timing
Second-story fascia means extension ladders and heavy gutter sections overhead. If the shingles at the eave are cut short or the first row of decking is soft, the roof side needs attention too, which is easiest to handle during a roof replacement. See drip edge explained and gutter sizing and guards.