How to Repair a Rotted Soffit in Just Two Hours

You may not notice your soffits, but these unassuming overhangs help keep moisture, mold, and pests out of your roof while ventilating your home and protecting it from damage. That’s why when they start to rot, you need to address the damage quickly. Unlike other roof repairs, soffit replacement can be done on your own in a few simple steps without climbing onto your roof.

Important Roofing Terms to Know

Before you start your project, familiarize yourself with each part of the roof you’ll be working on.

• Soffit: The underside section of the overhang that runs around the roof of your house. Soffit helps keep out moisture and regulate home temperatures.

• Fascia: The protective cover running along the side of your roof’s overhang to make it appear finished, support your shingles, and prevent water damage.

• Eave: The entire overhang of a roof, including both the soffit and fascia.

• Shingle: Topmost roof covering made up of overlapping rectangular pieces. They are most commonly asphalt, but can also be made of wood, slate, or clay tile.

• Shingle Mold: A narrow strip of wood attached to the fascia directly beneath the edge of the shingles.

• Flashing: A thin, flat piece of metal installed under the shingles to direct water away from the roof’s openings.

How to Tell When a Soffit Is Rotting

You’ll know your soffit needs to be repaired when you see the following signs of rotting on the underside of your home’s eaves, or roof overhangs.

• Cracking and curling under the eaves

• Sections of missing wood on a soffit

• Hollow sounds when you tap a soffit’s wood

• Animals entering your attic

• Leaking water or water damage in your attic around the fascia

DIY Soffit Repair vs. Hiring a Pro

Roofing projects can be rather time-consuming and risky if you aren’t familiar with the various parts of your roof and the tools needed to repair them. However, if you feel confident in your skills and you already have the tools you need, you can save significantly on the cost of labor with a DIY soffit repair job.

The cost to repair a soffit on your own can vary depending on which tools you already have on hand, but you should expect to spend at least $100 on supplies. DIY soffit board repair can save you $1.50 to $3 per linear foot. Be sure to wear proper footwear and be extremely careful when working on your roof, as incorrectly installed soffits can lead to costly roof damage.

If you don’t feel comfortable doing these repairs on your own, consider hiring a local roofer to handle the job.

FAQs

What wood is used for soffits?

Soffit is sometimes made from 1-inch boards of solid wood lumber such as pine, cedar, or redwood, or from plywood. It can also be made from engineered wood or wood composite material.

What causes soffits to rot?

Soffit rot can have a number of causes. It’s most often a result of moisture damage from faulty gutters, but it can also be caused by harsh weather or animals that have nested inside your roof. Squirrels, birds, and bees can all be commonly found nesting in a home’s soffits.

Soffit rot can also be caused by a roof issue. Look for rotted decking and sheathing above the rotted area to make sure you don't have a bigger issue.