Are you looking to revitalize the look of your home?
Replacing your aging soffit will have a huge impact on your curb appeal. But a bad replacement risks being worse than doing nothing at all. Part of installing soffit correctly involves knowing what to do and what not to do.
Read on for common soffit installation mistakes homeowners should avoid.
Blocked Vents
Even though your soffit vent looks perforated from the outside of your home, it might not be the case. To install soffit vents in the right way, you need to make sure air is able to flow through to the attic.
It's common for inexperienced homeowners to cover their soffits in insulation. This means that any moisture remains trapped inside the attic and can end up causing issues with condensation and mold.
Having proper intake ventilation is as vital as having adequate exhaust ventilation. Be sure to clear any insulation that blocks the soffits to ensure proper airflow.
Roof Problems
If your soffits or your roof frame has water damage, there's a good chance you've got serious roof issues. Before you start improving your soffit vents, you should fix these issues first.
The water won't harm the soffits, but it can cause wood decay as the vents might hide this. Some common issues are shingle edges that break off or don't come out far enough and ice dams.
You might need a new roof depending on the issues that you find (if any). So, before doing any work to your soffits, make sure you give your roof the once over. If you aren't sure of anything you find, then call in a professional.
Installing the Soffit Pieces Whole
It's common to think that pieces of soffit have to go in as they're bought — in big pieces. What you actually should be doing, is cutting the soffit into smaller pieces.
You need to install soffit perpendicular to the wall. With smaller pieces, this will be easier to manage and move into place.
Cutting with a Dull Saw
Me sure you use the right tools for installation. Don't use old saw blades that are dull and blunted. When you're cutting your soffit pieces to size, you need a sharp hole saw.
You'll also need a precise and steady hand. If not, they could end up with jagged lines that don't place easily, or you could ruin and tear the panels completely.
Not Fitting the J Channel
J-channels are a J-shaped length of aluminum that holds the soffit against the house. It's an anchor for any soffit edges that the fascia doesn't cover.
One of the most common mistakes people make is not fitting the J-channel to the wall before they fit in the soffit. The J-channels to fit the wall with no gaps before installation. If not, the soffit panels won't be secure.
Avoid These Soffit Installation Mistakes
Soffits improve the look of your home and help it to breathe, but only if you avoid these soffit installation mistakes! Make sure the area is prepared before installation, and you follow an installation guide.
If you found this article useful, be sure to check out our other blog posts. Whether you need soffit, facia, or gutter guides, we have you covered.
