Fascias and Soffits in Birmingham
We replace rotten or tired fascia boards and soffits on Birmingham homes, and put the gutters back on firm new boards.
- Quotes in writing
- 17 areas covered
Birmingham Roof Pros replaces fascias and soffits on houses across Birmingham. We fit the fascia, the long board along the bottom edge of the roof that holds the gutter, and the soffit, the panel underneath that closes the gap to the wall. We take off the old boards, check the rafter ends behind them, fit new boards and refit or replace the guttering.
When fascias and soffits need replacing
Historic England's maintenance checklist says that where gutters are fixed to timber fascia boards, you should check the fascias, and at the same time the soffit and barge boards. We include the barge boards, the sloping boards on the gable end of the roof, when we look.
For timber, the same checklist asks whether the paintwork is in good condition and whether there is any decay. Flaking paint, soft wood you can push a screwdriver into, and a gutter that has started to lean outwards are the signs we look for when we visit.
We replace boards that have rotted or split. If only one length is bad and the rest are sound, we can replace just that length.
What a replacement involves
We take down the gutter first, then remove the old fascia and soffit. With the boards off, we can see the ends of the rafters. If any are rotten, we tell you before we cover them up again.
Then we fit the new fascia and soffit, add any vents the roof needs, and put the gutter back on. We finish with the end pieces at the corners and the barge boards if they are part of the job.
HSE says edge protection must be fitted to the eaves of any roof, and that sloping roofs need scaffolding to stop people or materials falling from the edge. Fascia work happens right at that edge, so we price the scaffold as its own line.
Bats and nesting birds
We check behind the soffits for signs of bats and nesting birds before we take anything off, because both are protected by law.
GOV.UK guidance from Natural England says all bat species, their breeding sites and resting places are fully protected by law. It lists repairing or replacing a roof among the activities that can affect bats. It also says it is against the law to damage or destroy a resting place, or to block bats from getting to one.
If you think you have bats, GOV.UK says you can contact the National Bat Helpline. It is run by the Bat Conservation Trust and gives free advice on behalf of Natural England, including on small scale works.
Birds are protected too. GOV.UK says it is against the law to intentionally take, damage or destroy a wild bird's nest while it is being used or built. It lists renovating a building among the activities that can affect wild birds, particularly in the breeding season.
If you have seen bats at dusk or birds going in and out under your eaves, tell us when you ask for a quote. We will plan the timing of the work around them.
Roof ventilation and Bournville
We fit soffit vents where a roof needs air to reach the loft. Birmingham City Council's design guide for the Bournville Village Conservation Area says ventilation from under the eaves is the traditional method. It also says plastic vents and grilles that can be seen from the street are not acceptable there.
If you live in Bournville, tell us at the start. We will price boards and vents that fit the guide.
Questions about fascias and soffits in Birmingham
Can you fit new boards over the old ones?
We take the old boards off so we can see the rafter ends behind them, since covering rotten wood would hide it rather than fix it.
Do you replace the gutters at the same time?
We have to take the gutter down to change the fascia. If your gutter is in good shape, we refit it. If it is brittle or cracked, we will quote for new guttering as an option.
Could my old soffits contain asbestos?
HSE says asbestos may be part of any home built or refurbished before the year 2000. It lists asbestos insulating board, which looks a lot like plasterboard, among the places it can still be found. If we think a soffit board may contain it, we stop and arrange for it to be tested first.
What about the boards on the gable end?
We replace barge boards as well, either on their own or with the fascias. We match the shape of the old ones where we can.
My gutter has pulled away from the board. Is that the fascia?
We check whether the screws have lost their grip in soft wood or the gutter brackets have failed, then tell you which one it is.
Can you do fascias at the same time as roof work?
Yes, we can. If we have a scaffold up for roof repairs or dry ridge and dry verge work, the fascias can be done on the same visit.
Get a fascias and soffits quote
Send us your postcode and a line about the boards. We will come and look, then send you a written quote.
Ready to talk about your roofing job?
Send the quote form with your postcode and what you need. We will get back to you with a written quote.