Have you noticed that your soffit venting looks worn or discolored compared to the surrounding siding? Talking with a soffit contractor could be an excellent way to help you decide if it's time to replace your home's soffit venting. Before you call a contractor, your soffits can tell you if they need an upgrade! You don't need to be a siding or fascia expert to look for a few tell-tale signs that it's time to replace the venting.
Keep reading to learn more about soffit venting and the signs that it's time to replace it.
What is a Soffit?
The soffit is part of your home's roofing system. It's the flat area underneath the eaves of your roof. Most soffits have a venting system to allow airflow and water drainage.
Over time, your soffit venting system can deteriorate. Looks for these signs that you need new soffit vents.
Sagging
How are your soffits hold up? If you noticed sections of sagging along the vent line, it might be time to replace those sections.
Before you rip out the old material, check to make sure an adjustment to fix the sagging area won't work. Safely climb a ladder until you can reach the soffit. Try pushing the soffit back in line with the surrounding vents.
If the same section sags again, it's probably time to remove and replace that section of the soffit.
Cracks
A cracked soffit vent can't conduct proper airflow or drainage. Inspect the eaves of your roofline, and don't overlook small cracks! Small cracks can grow into large cracks that require you to replace a larger section of the soffit.
Discoloration
If you notice a discolored section of your soffit, try washing away dirt and debris with a nozzle on your water hose. Dirt should easily fall away.
If dark stains remain, the discoloration could be mold or mildew. Replacing a stained section of the soffit is the safest way to remove all traces of mold and mildew.
Holes
Roof soffit venting has small holes to allow air and water flow. Larger holes could be a result of wind, debris, or rodent damage. Instead of patching the holes, replace sections of the soffit where you find holes bigger than the small vent holes.
Replacing Soffit Vents
While safely standing on a ladder, use a hammer to pry the damaged section of soffit away from your roofline. Most soffit venting is simple to cut to fit the size you need to replace a worn section of venting. Use small roofing nails or screws to keep the new venting in place.
If you struggle to match old soffit vent colors with the replacement soffit, it might be time to replace the entire soffit venting system. Make sure your home's fascia is in good condition before securing the new soffit vents.
Replace Soffit Venting Safely
With a little know-how, replacing soffit venting is a common DIY home improvement task. Observe ladder and tool safety to complete your project.
