Five Signs Your Eaves Need Repair or Replacement

The eaves are the edges of your roof, and are therefore an important part of the roof to maintain. They consist of three components -- fascia, which are the outward facing boards, soffits, which are the underside of the eaves, and the vents, which aid attic airflow and are located on the soffits. If your eaves are damaged, repair or replacement is a must. 

1. Soft Wood

If the wood is swollen or soft enough to dent with a fingernail, the board needs to be replaced. Soft, swollen wood means that it has begun to rot, and there is no way to reverse the process.  Mold and fungal growth on the eaves may also indicate rot. If rot is caught early, then you may be able to get away with only replacing the damaged part of the eaves instead of all the eave boards. 

2. Cracks and Holes

Cracks and holes can affect both wooden and vinyl eaves. A crack or a hole in a wooden eave can be patched with wood putty, as long as the damage is caught before rot sets in. After patching, the eaves can be repainted so that they look new again. Holes and cracks in vinyl aren't typically repairable. Fortunately, this type of damage is rare and is often the result of hail strikes. You can patch vinyl, but the repair is visible so most people opt to replace the eaves.

3. Paint Damage

Minor paint damage, such as a scratch or flaking, can be repaired if caught promptly before moisture damages the wood beneath. Simply scrape off the old paint and repaint the eaves with fresh. The key is to make sure there is no developing wood rot. Paint that is bubbling instead of flaking can also indicate moisture has damaged the wood of the eaves.

4. Warping

Any material can warp, although it is more common with wood eaves. The culprit of wooden eave warps is typically moisture, so replacement of the damages eaves is a must. Vinyl may sometimes warp if it is exposed to heat, such as a  hot barbecue grill pushed too closely to the home. Replacement is the only option is this case as well. Aluminum eaves are less likely to warp, and if they are warped it is typically an installation error or manufacturing defect.

5. Pest Issues

Pests can get into the eaves. Birds may nest in them, bees and wasps may build hives in them, and small rodents like squirrels may go into them. Sealing gaps and replacing the vent covers in the eaves should fix the issue. 

Contact a roofing service, like AAA Affordable Roofing, to learn more about replacing your eaves.

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