Fascia boards rot where water sits against them. Blocked gutters, peeling paint and leaks from above are the usual causes, and on tall terraced houses they can go unnoticed for a long time.
The fascia is the board along the ends of the rafters that carries the gutter, and in Kingsdown it sits high above the street on tall Georgian and Victorian houses, where you rarely get a close look. Rot develops quietly. By the time a board looks bad from the pavement, the damage is often well underway.
Water that cannot get away
The main cause is water sitting on or against the timber. An overflowing or leaking gutter drenches the board each time it rains. A joint that drips, an outlet that blocks or a gutter that has dropped out of line all keep the wood wet, and wet timber rots far faster than wood that dries between showers. Water also tends to find the joints between boards first, so the corners and ends of each length are usually worst affected.
Paint that has given up
Timber fascias rely on paint to keep water out. Once it blisters, flakes or cracks, the bare wood soaks up moisture. On high boards, repainting is easy to put off because access is awkward, and the longer the gap, the deeper the water gets into the grain, particularly along the bottom edge and at joints. On a house this tall, a scaffold or tower is the only safe way to give a fascia a proper repaint, which explains why so many go neglected.
Leaks from the roof above
Water getting past the edge of the roof covering, or running down from damaged felt, can soak the top of the fascia and the rafter ends behind it. In tall terraces with parapets or lead gutters nearby, this can happen without anyone noticing. The board may look fine from below while the back of it is wet.
- Gutters leaking or overflowing onto the board
- Paint cracked or flaking so bare timber is exposed
- Roof edge leaks soaking the top of the board
- Poor drainage letting water linger at joints
Rot behind the board
Fascia rot rarely stays on the fascia. The rafter ends behind it, the soffit and the gutter fixings can all suffer. A soft board that will not hold a screw is a sign that fixings are failing and the gutter may be about to drop. We check what lies behind before deciding what needs replacing. Soffits next to a rotten fascia are often damp too, so we check them at the same time.
Fixing it properly
Replacement means removing the old boards and gutters, checking the rafter ends and eaves, fitting new boards, vented soffits or vent strips so the roof space breathes, and refitting or replacing the gutters. Access or scaffold is needed on these tall houses. UPVC is very low maintenance, cleaned rather than painted, and comes in white, darker and wood-effect finishes. Because the work is at height, it is also a good moment to have the gutter lines and falls set properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if a fascia board is rotten?
From the ground, look for peeling paint, dark stains, sagging gutters and gaps. Soft or crumbling timber is a sign. We check up close, because the back of the board and the rafter ends need to be seen.
Can a rotten fascia be repaired?
Small areas of damage in an otherwise sound board can sometimes be repaired. Widespread rot or damage to the rafter ends usually means the board should be replaced, as patching rarely holds. If in doubt, ask us and we will explain what we find.
Will new UPVC boards rot?
UPVC does not rot, and it needs only a clean, not painting. The rafter ends and eaves behind it can still suffer if water gets in, so the gutters and roof edge need to be sound too.
Talk to our team about UPVC fascias and soffits in Kingsdown
Every roof is different — the fastest way to get an accurate answer is a quick chat with our team.