Know Your Roof · Soffit & Fascia

Rotted Fascia: Causes, Signs and Fixes

Quick answer

Rotted fascia is wood fascia that has broken down after water has been reaching it for a long time. It feels soft and crumbles or flakes when you poke it. The board is a symptom. The real problem is usually a gutter overflow, an ice dam or a leak at the roof edge.

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Common causes

Clogged or overflowing gutters. Missing or short drip edge, so water runs down behind the board. Ice dams backing water up under the shingles. A leak at the roof edge or a valley. Old paint or caulk that let moisture soak in.

How to check

Press the tip of a screwdriver gently into the board in a few places. Solid wood pushes back. Rotted wood is soft and the tip sinks in. Also look for sagging gutters, peeling paint and dark stains. If you're not comfortable on a ladder, a roofer can check from the roof.

How it gets fixed

  1. Find and fix where the moisture is coming from.
  2. Cut out the rotted section, or replace the whole board if the rot is widespread.
  3. Check the rafter tails and decking underneath, and repair what's bad.
  4. Install new fascia, then seal and paint it.

Why not to wait

Rot spreads into the rafter tails and the edge of the roof deck. It also gives animals a way in and lets the gutter pull loose.

Looking for another word? See the roofing terms glossary, A to Z.

FAQ

Rotted Fascia: common questions

Can rotted fascia be fixed with wood filler?

For small spots in otherwise solid wood, hardeners and fillers exist. Widespread rot needs replacement.

Does insurance cover rotted fascia?

Usually not when it comes from long-term moisture. Sudden storm damage can be different, so ask your insurer.

Will new gutters fix it?

Only if the gutters caused it. The fascia has to be solid first.

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Related terms

  • Fascia Board

    A fascia board is the long, straight board that runs along the edge of your roof. It caps the ends of the rafters, gives your gutters something solid to attach to, and finishes the roof edge so water and animals stay out.

  • Fascia Board Replacement

    Fascia board replacement means taking off the damaged fascia and putting up new boards along the roof edge. Small rotted spots can sometimes be cut out and patched. If the rot runs along the board, or it won't hold the gutter anymore, replacing it is the better fix.

  • Gutter Apron

    A gutter apron is a strip of metal flashing along the roof edge that guides water off the shingles and into the gutter, so it doesn't run down behind it onto the fascia. It's a type of drip edge with a longer lip that reaches out over the gutter.

  • Drip Edge

    Drip edge is a strip of L-shaped metal flashing along the edges of a roof. It sends water off the shingles and into the gutter, and keeps it from soaking the roof deck and fascia. It's a cheap part that protects wood that rots easily.

  • Ice Dam

    An ice dam is a ridge of ice at the cold roof edge. Winter freeze and thaw lets snowmelt refreeze at the overhang, and the ice pushes meltwater up under the shingles. The cause is usually heat escaping into the attic, so the lasting fix is in the attic, not on the roof.

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