It may seem an obvious thing to state, but the roof of your home is an incredibly important part of the whole structure. Roofing allows a house to have lighting, heating, and electricity. The roof system keeps you warm and safe and the elements at bay, especially with the help of fascias and soffits.
Yet many homeowners neglect to maintain their roofs and allow problems to set in. It is perhaps easy to see why. For most people, especially if they don’t use their attic, the roof is easy to forget about.
However, neglecting this area of the home can lead to a new roof being required years before it should, costing the owner thousands of dollars. Here is a short look at some useful tips for roof maintenance.

Why should you keep up with maintenance?

Ignoring problems with the roof can lead to further, more extensive problems. A simple leak that could be fixed easily, could very quickly turn into a serious problem that damages the whole roofing system.
A leak could lead to fascia boards, trim, rafters, and ceiling joists becoming damaged by water. When it comes to simple numbers, a roof repair may cost a few hundred dollars, but a replacement roof could run to $20,000 or more, depending on the materials used.

What are fascias and soffits?

As mentioned above, fascia boards are one part of the roofing system that can suffer from water intrusion if you suffer roof damage. Fascias are the barrier that helps to keep the elements outside of the roof system. They also carry the guttering. Failure to maintain this can lead to water not being diverted away from the house, meaning a higher risk of structural damage happening.
Soffits are the boards that fit underneath the fascia. These are easily seen from street level when looking up. Soffits help with ventilation which is important to keep the roof structure healthy.

Why are fascias and soffits important?

If water does enter the roof then fascias and soffits can ultimately rot. This will lead to moisture problems within the roofing system which can mean mold and mildew forming.
They help provide proper ventilation to the roof which keeps the attic at a good temperature and stops moisture from building up. If your soffits and fascias are compromised then you face having structural damage to your roof.
They also add what is known as curb appeal. Put simply, they look attractive and add value to a home. If fascia and soffit repair is not carried out then you could have unsightly mold and rot showing, along with peeling paint.

There are also human health problems to consider

While inspecting and maintaining your roof can lead to it having a longer life, and saving you money in the long run, it can also help protect the occupant’s health.
If moisture enters the attic and causes mold and mildew, this can then spread to the walls and ceilings. Therefore, any mold that appears in the roofing system and isn’t treated, can enter the rest of the house’s structure.
Not only does mold look unsightly and smell bad, but it can also cause health problems. Most notably, mold causes problems with the respiratory tract system. According to Healthline, symptoms can include sneezing, wheezing, lung irritation, and headaches, among others.

How much would a new roof cost?

There are several different materials used on roofs, and these last different lengths of time and the costs vary.
If you did neglect to fix leaks, replace shingles, and not repair your fascias and soffits, you may face having to fit a whole new roof.
The cost of this can be somewhere along the following lines:

• Asphalt roof – $5,500 to $12,000
• Wood shake roof – $16,000 to $27,000
• Metal roof – $5,000 to $15,000
• Tile roof – $8,000 to $30,000
• Slate roof – $6,000 to $30,000

Within each of these price ranges are different types of materials. For instance, tile roofs could be made from concrete at the lower end of the scale, or clay for a more expensive finish.

Finding a professional fascia and soffit installer

As it is nearly always cheaper to repair a roof than to replace it, finding a reliable roofing service is vital. The quickest way to find a service will be to search online. This way you can check reviews and read testimonials on the company’s website.
A good fascia and soffit repair service or installer will be able to give you a free quote and explain what needs to be done to keep your roof healthy so it can keep on protecting your home.

Summary

Fascias and soffits are a vital part of the roofing structure, and maintaining this area can help to extend the roof’s life and stop any structural damage from occurring. Soffits and fascias allow the attic to breathe and help keep moisture out. Without these, the roof and home would soon face serious problems.