How To Repair Bad Rafter Ends

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H2o damage and nesting animals tin can really take a toll on your home's eaves, but the good news is that fixing rotted eaves is actually a pretty uncomplicated projection that you can do yourself. The best part? You'll never have to climb onto your roof. We'll walk yous through everything you need to practise to repair your eaves so they're rot-free. Check out the steps below to get started!

1. 1

   Remove the gutters and roof flashing if needed. In order to give yourself clear admission to the eaves, you may showtime demand to disassemble the drainage structures covering them. Unscrew the gutters at the brackets, and then pull out the nails holding them in identify and lower them down safely. Exercise the aforementioned for flashing where it overlaps the edges of the overhang.

   • Ready up a ladder on a apartment stretch of ground directly below the section of gutter you lot're removing and station a friend or helper nearby to stabilize information technology while you're working.^[1]
   • For larger projects, consider renting and assembling a full scaffolding effectually your roof. A scaffolding will likewise be much safer to work on, and won't require any additional assistance for support.

2. ii

   Pry off the shingle mold. Starting at one corner of the roof, wedge a pry bar into the narrow space at the top of the shingle mold (the sparse wooden strip that sits just below the shingles). Force the mold away from the roofing a few inches at a time, then elevator off the entire piece in ane department. Concur onto the old shingle mold if it looks to be in good shape. You can reuse it later.^[2]

   • If you're having trouble getting the shingle mold to budge, endeavour scoring the upper and lower edges with a utility pocketknife.^[3]
   • Be careful not to damage the slice by wrenching on it with the pry bar.

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3. 3

   Pull away the rotten fascia. With the shingle mold out of the way, you'll be able to simply piece of work the fascia (the vertical boards framing the outside of the eaves) free past paw. Due to their deteriorated country, they should come away easily. Don't discard the one-time fascia just yet—it will come in handy for cutting your replacement materials.^[iv]

   • Utilise your pry bar to loosen sections that have go stuck or jammed.^[5]
   • Keep a large waste product bin or similar container nearby to dispose of all the rotten roofing materials together when yous're finished with your projection.

4. four

   Remove the old soffit. The soffit is the broad horizontal board that encloses the underside of the eaves. Similar the fascia, a decaying soffit should be soft enough to pull out manually. Grab the exposed border of the board and give it a sharp tug downward to dislodge it.^[6]

   • Don't exist surprised if the soffit breaks apart while yous're attempting to pull it gratuitous. Waterlogged boards will oftentimes be soggy and decumbent to crumbling.
   • Take caution when removing the former soffit. It's not uncommon for birds, squirrels, and insects like bees and termites to build their nests backside these enclosures.^[7]

5. v

   Cut away rotten or damaged rafters. Examine the condition of the rafter (the thick beam running the length of the overhang). Assuming it's in good shape, you tin can exit it in place and install the new materials around it. If it shows signs of rotting, water damage, or other wear you'll need to chop it out using a reciprocating saw.^[8]

   • To make the removal process easier, cut the rafter in 1–2 feet (0.xxx–0.61 m) sections, then pause to rip each section individually.
   • If your eaves are upheld past multiple rafters, you lot'll need to remove and supervene upon them one at a fourth dimension in guild to avoid compromising your roof's stability.

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1. 1

   Assemble your materials for the new eaves. Head downwards to your local home improvement eye and shop for boards to supercede the worn-out soffit and fascia. Information technology's important that the new boards match the erstwhile ones in terms of width and thickness—you tin cutting them to the right length subsequently. It may help to bring along a small section of the old materials for reference.^[9]

   • In addition to wood, you also have the pick of choosing a textile like cellular PVC, fiber cement, aluminum, or galvanized steel for your new eaves. These materials will be stronger, longer-lasting, and more weather-resistant than ordinary boards.^[10]
   • Make certain you lot also pick up plenty force per unit area-treated lumber to cut new shingle molds and rafters, if necessary.

2. ii

   Cut new lumber for the rafters if needed. If your supports are in need of replacing, saw the new beam to match the quondam one. Remember to use but pressure-treated lumber for the rafters. It will hold up much better to wet and stress.^[11]

3. 3

   Install the new rafters. Clamp the replacement axle to the wooden backboard at the rear of the eave enclosure to hold it in place. Fasten the rafter with four" (10 cm) wood screws. When y'all've successfully replaced ane rafter, it will be safe to brainstorm removing the next ane.^[12]

   • Since the rafters are a critical function of the eaves' support structure, information technology will be necessary to brand sure they're in good condition earlier you begin installing the new components for your eaves.
   • Press on the newly-installed beam to double cheque that it's solid and secure before moving on.

4. 4

   Cutting the new soffit. Using a section of the rotted soffit as a template, saw the replacement textile to the right size. This can be done with a handsaw, though you'll get the most precise and efficient results with a circular saw or tabular array saw. Ideally, the soffit should exist fabricated up of just 1 or two boards to minimize leaking.

   • If you don't have enough intact soffit to serve equally a template, measure out the underside of the eaves from one side of the business firm to the other and mark the dimensions on the new board.
   • The fewer pieces you use to fashion the soffit, the less risk there will be of water, insects, and other destructive forces finding their way in.

5. five

   Cut the replacement fascia. Trim the fascia boards to the correct length the same manner you did the soffit. Be sure to cut the edges where the boards will meet to opposing 45 degree angles so they'll fit together properly.^[13]

   • If your domicile's eaves feature any unique angles or projections, information technology may be necessary to measure out and mark these features on the fascia board prior to sawing to confirm that everything volition line up the way it'southward supposed to.
   • Some materials, like aluminum or steel, may need to be measured and cut in-shop by a habitation improvement specialist before yous bring them abode.

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1. 1

   Use a coat of weatherproofing sealant to wood fascia and soffits. Before you put the new roofing components in place, you'll want to make sure that they'll be able to stand the test of time. The best way to do this is to treat them with a wax or resin finish. Brush the sealant onto both sides of your materials, then let them sit until they're dry to the touch.^[14]

   • It should merely accept one-two hours for the sealant to dry out into a functional terminate.
   • Once it'southward set into the forest, the sealant will help repel moisture, mold, crud, and other messes, preventing rotting in the futurity.

2. 2

   Adhere the new soffit. Marshal the soffit lath with the underside of the eave so that its edges are flush with the rafter. So, blast it into place. For a sturdier hold, sink a nail every iv–6 inches (x–xv cm).^[fifteen]

   • i.five inches (3.8 cm) wood screws volition also be strong enough to get the task done.
   • It may assistance to take an assistant concord the board in place while you spike it downwards.

3. 3

   Spread caulk around the edges of the soffit. Use a caulk gun to fill in any gaps, cracks, or crevices yous happen to spot in the new soffit. This will provide further protection against water and insect-related damage. Allow the filler to harden before modifying the soffit in any manner.^[xvi]

   • You lot can also apply roofing cement or wood putty in identify of traditional caulk.^[17]

4. 4

   Attach the new fascia. Position the replacement boards over the rafter and secure them using galvanized nails or 2.v inches (6.iv cm) forest screws. Repeat this process for each section of the roof where the eaves are beginning to show signs of deterioration. Once the new fascia is in identify, yous can fill up the smash holes and pigment the boards to match the residuum of your home'due south trim.

   • Past the time you cease your project, your new overhang will exist solid, watertight, and ready to stand up to a stiff downpour or a family of nesting squirrels.

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Add New Question

• Question

  Can I merely cutting directly into the eave?

  

  Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Abode Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over x years of experience, Barry specializes in a multifariousness of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy Academy.

  

• Question

  How big are eaves?

  

  Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Little Red Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of experience, Barry specializes in a diverseness of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and diverse pieces of furniture. Barry also holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy Academy.

  

• Question

  Which eaves typically need to exist repalced?

  

  Barry Zakar is a professional handyman and the founder of Footling Scarlet Truck Home Services based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over ten years of feel, Barry specializes in a diverseness of carpentry projects. He is skilled at constructing decks, railings, fences, gates, and various pieces of furniture. Barry too holds his MBA from John F. Kennedy University.

  

  

  Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

  I've noticed that vertical bar rafters tend to take a lot of problems. These are the ones at the edge of the roof that stick out in the forepart and back of the firm. They're typically ornamental, but they simply get absolutely destroyed by bad weather. Luckily, they're pretty easy to replace.

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VideoRead Video Transcript

• Invest in durable, high-quality building materials to ensure that your new eaves will terminal a skilful long fourth dimension.

• Before you get to the trouble of repairing your eaves, make sure you've thoroughly investigated and resolved the cause of leaks and damage. Otherwise, it won't take long for the same thing to happen to the new materials.

• If you have any doubts nearly your ability to install any of the new covering components yourself, rent a professional contractor. This type of fix-upwards tends to be relatively inexpensive, and usually only requires a unmarried mean solar day's work.

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• Should you discover whatever large nests or insect hives while replacing your home'south eaves, call an exterminator or pest control specialist.

• Ever take the proper safety precautions someday you lot're operating automated saws and other ability tools.

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Things You'll Need

• Wooden soffit and fascia boards
• Cellular PVC, fiber cement, aluminum, or galvanized steel replacement materials (optional)
• Pressure level-treated lumber
• Hammer
• Nails
• Electrical drill
• 1½" (3.8 cm) and 2½" (6.4 cm) wood screws (optional)
• Circular saw, table saw, or handsaw
• Utility knife
• Measuring tape or grand stick
• C-clamp
• Wax or resin weatherproofing sealant
• Ladder
• Piece of work gloves

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Article Summary 10

Over time, weather and nesting animals can rot your dwelling house'due south eaves, which are the overhanging edges of your roof. Fortunately, repairing rotten or weathered eaves is a relatively simple project. Your showtime stride will be prying away the bottom and sides of the old eaves. Your new boards will accept to match the old ones in terms of width and thickness, so when y'all get to your local home improvement heart you may want to bring them a sample of your old eaves so they match. When y'all're ready to install your new eaves, apply a weatherproof coating to the new pieces. Once the new eaves are set, you tin secure them using stainless steel nails. If in that location are any cracks and crevices, seal them upwardly with caulk to go along water, animals, and insects out. To learn how to pick the best material for your eaves, keep reading!

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