Fascia boards are the boards that run along the roofline and attached to ends of the rafters or trusses. They provide more than just a finished edge to the roofline. The facia boards act as a moisture barrier for the home, keeping water from entering the attic or getting underneath the roofing material.

When a fascia board becomes cracked or damaged, water can penetrate the interior of the home and cause serious damage as well as mold growth. Some of the causes of damaged fascia boards can be clogged gutters and improper shingle installation.

Facia boards should be repaired or replaced when they show signs of deterioration or rot. Regardless of whether a visible crack or hole has appeared, rotten wood is an indication of long term exposure to water which may have penetrated through to the interior. There’s no point spending money on lawn care and expensive if you’re going to ruin the image by letting your fascias go to rack and ruin.

Once replaced, metal drip edges can be installed to protect the fascia board in the future. A drip edge is an L-shaped metal piece that nails into the roof decking and hangs over the facia board to keep water runoff away from the fascia board.

Simple gutter maintenance can also help protect the fascia boards from water damage. Clogged gutters or downspouts are common causes of water spilling over onto the fascia board. During the rainy, monsoon season, it’s important to check your gutters and downspouts frequently. It takes very little to create clogs. Tall trees that stand higher than the roof are the most common culprit. Even if they aren’t on your property, monsoon rains and winds can block leaves from neighboring trees that collect in your gutters and block the entrance to the downspouts. The heavy volume of water has to go somewhere and down the fascia board is the closest point.

Crest Contractors, Roofing Division, offers roof inspections that will point out potential problem areas for Tucson roofs.