Do you need to replace your soffit?

The soffit is an essential part of your home’s roofing system and exterior. The soffit is the panels beneath your roof’s overhang that connect the top of the siding to the roofline.

Chinook Exteriors offers exterior renovations in Calgary, including soffit repair and replacement. They share more about what the soffit does and how to know it’s time for a replacement.

What does soffit do?

Soffit gives your home a finished look by capping that area between the roof edge and siding. Without it, you’d have exposed beams, and the house would look unfinished. However, if your soffit is damaged or sagging, it is unsightly and can significantly diminish your home’s curb appeal and even value.

Ventilation

While aesthetics are important, soffits play an integral role in your home’s ventilation system. If you look up at your soffit, you’ll see there are little vents throughout the panel. Soffit vents help air move in and out of your attic. Along with your rooftop vents, the soffit vents help reduce moisture and condensation build-up year-round. As a result, it helps reduce mould and mildew growth, and even water damage. The soffit also acts as a physical barrier to prevent water from splashing up into the interior components of your roofing system.

Pest control

Like fascia, soffit also prevents pests from entering that space. Bats, squirrels, birds, and wasps could get into the attic and even walls of your home if soffit and fascia weren’t there to stop them. Once the soffit seals that space us, those pests will find somewhere else to build their nest.

Signs your soffit is in trouble

Poor ventilation and moisture build-up

Because soffits assist with your home’s ventilation, signs that air isn’t circulating are a big clue something is wrong. For example, if you notice condensation on your upper interior walls, it could mean that your attic isn’t venting properly. Moisture build-up can also cause watermarks on the ceiling or walls. You can also pop your head up in the attic. If you see water stains on the beams, check to see if they’ve gone soft. If so, call in Chinook Exteriors for an inspection.

Noticeable damage

If your soffits are cracked, broken, or physically sagging from your roof, then you should remedy the situation right away. Chinook Exteriors can come out to see if repairs can take care of the problem or if a replacement is in order. If left unfixed, you run the risk of water damage, poor ventilation, and even critters making your attic their new home. Damaged soffit in Calgary can also reduce energy efficiency and cause your energy bills to go up.

The Chinook Exteriors solution

Chinook Exteriors is committed to offering the best products on the market for your fascia and soffits. They use Gentek Building Products, which are industry leaders in eavestroughs and aluminum soffit and fascia. Aluminum soffits are durable, long-lasting, and resistant to pests, rot, water, and fire. Gentek offers a range of colours and styles to suit your needs, and they come with a 40-year warranty.

If you have unsightly soffits, connect with Chinook Exteriors!