Short answer: replace rotted fascia before installing new gutters. Hanging new gutters on soft wood is the main reason gutters pull away from houses. Most homes only need a few sections replaced, not the whole perimeter.
What fascia and soffit are
The fascia is the vertical board along the roof edge that your gutters screw into. The soffit is the horizontal panel underneath the overhang, often with vents. When gutters leak, overflow or let water run behind them, the fascia soaks it up and rots from the back where you can't see it.
Signs of rot
- Paint peeling or bubbling along the roof edge
- Gutters sagging or pulling away even after being re-hung
- Soft wood when you push a screwdriver into it
- Dark streaks or staining on the soffit below
- Squirrels, birds or wasps getting into the overhang
How we fix it
We take the gutter down, cut out the rotted section back to solid wood, and replace it with new lumber, primed on all sides. If the rafter tails behind it are sound, that's usually the extent of it. Where you'd rather never paint it again, we can wrap the new fascia in aluminum to match the gutters.
Soffit damage is patched with matching vinyl, aluminum or wood, and any gaps where animals have been getting in are closed off. If animals are actively living in the attic, you'll want a wildlife removal company first — sealing them in makes it worse.
Why to do it with the gutters
Fascia work means removing the gutters. If you're replacing gutters anyway, the fascia repair is a small add-on. If you fix fascia alone, you pay to take down and re-hang gutters too.
When we quote a new gutter install, we check the fascia and price any replacement separately so there are no surprises on install day.
Common questions
How much does fascia repair cost?
It's priced by the linear foot and depends on how much is rotted and the story height. A few short sections is typically a modest add-on to a gutter job; a full-perimeter replacement is a bigger project.
Can you wrap fascia in aluminum?
Yes. Aluminum wrap over solid fascia means no more painting. We don't wrap over rot — it traps moisture and hides the problem.
Is fascia rot covered by homeowners insurance?
Rot from long-term leaks usually isn't, because it's treated as maintenance. Sudden storm damage sometimes is. Check with your insurer.