DIY Guide on Fixing Soffit and Fascia

If you’re not entirely sure on how to fix soffit or fascia to your home then this easy, DIY guide will walk you through every step. Here we will be talking about PVC products, items made out of different materials may need to be fixed using different methods.

What You Will Need

Before you get started, make sure that you have all the materials you need to complete the project, including:

• Fascia

• Soffit

• Fixing and Accessories

• Saw, hammer, utility knife, crowbar, silicon sealant

• Plastic capped stainless steel nails

• Ladders

Depending on the materials you use, you may require specialist tools to fix or cut the boards – check with the manufacturer prior to purchase. You will also need at least two people to carry out this job, as things will need to be passed up and held against the roof.

Out with the Old

Do not simply cap over the existing boards, as this doesn’t solve the problem it only gives it a fresh appearance and doesn’t ensure that the underlying timbers haven’t rotted through. You need to fully remove the existing boards, which can be pried off using a crowbar – if the soffits are sealed to window frames then cut this with a utility knife to prevent damage.

Once these old boards are off, check the exposed rafters for any sort of damage. If there have been tears in the felt or damage to the facia boards then you may have rot or water damage to the exposed rafters – in this situation you will need to cut out these timbers and replace them.

Fixing the Soffits

The pre-measured and cut soffits need to be fixed to the underside of the rafters, resting against the top of the wall. You want to fix the soffit using plastic-headed stainless steel nails – generally 50mm – and joined together using a soffit joint trim.

When installing the soffit, make sure that that it sits flush against the house – either sitting on top of the brick work or nailed into a timber beam depending on the construction of the home. Always measure and mark carefully where they need to be nailed in, to prevent unnecessary holes in the soffit.

Installing the Fascia Boards

Once the soffits are in place, you will need to attach the fascia boards to the timbers using 65mm stainless steel nails. Each point will require a minimum of two nails to stop the boards from pivoting, bending or twisting. Bear in mind that these boards need to be able to hold the weight of the guttering, stand up to wind and rain and hold some weight from the roof tiles.

Make sure that the fascia boards are not obstructing any of your windows from opening – do this before securing all the nails in place to make it easier for adjustments. If you find that the fascia is getting in the way of windows then you can either adjust them by moving the whole board up or by trimming back the rafters to allow for a higher mount.

Complete

That’s all there is to it. This is a very easy home improvement activity that can be done by yourself with a little bit of know-how and guidance. If you need additional support then there are plenty of handy YouTube videos that give you a full visual tutorial from start to finish of this process.

If you’re looking for high quality PVC soffit and facia boards then check out our huge range, available online. We have everything you need to get the job done as efficiently as possible.