Advice; eaves felt failed and facia too high [maybe]? Replace with UPVC soffit/fascia?

[JFH777]

Hi all,

First post here as a DIYer, hoping I might get some feedback on an issue I’ve noticed with my garage roof and my proposal for putting it right…

Recently moved to a new place with a detached double garage. Currently, soffits look to be 5mm ply and fascias 22mm x 210mm with a rebate channel at the bottom to catch the ply soffit.

First indication something was wrong was noticing at each gable end, the soffits had rotted (fascia seems sound). It wasn’t immediately obvious where the water was getting in, additionally I wanted to satisfy myself about how the soffits/fascias were attached as I had been half thinking about replacing them with anthracite grey/upvc ones.

Now for my laypersons assessment;

I decided I’d remove the box end of the fascia and peer in along the eaves. It was here I noticed the roofing felt, instead of passing over the top of the fascia into the gutter, had weathered away and fallen inside. I also think the fascia has been installed too high relative to the last batten. This has created a U shape in the roofing felt, and I would imagine an opportunity for any water that has got in to pond behind the fascia. It would then have the opportunity to move sideways towards the gables until it falls out landing in the soffit; exactly where it’s rotting.

 

My laypersons assessment of what to do about it;

As mentioned, I had already been thinking about replacing with UPVC, not something I’ve done before, but given it’s low to the ground and I don’t have to take it up any gables I’m inclined to give it ago.

1.       Remove existing Gutters, Fascia, and soffits.

2.       Remove first 4 rows of tiles, slide new felt under existing.

3.       Install UPVC soffit

4.       Install UPVC fascia, attached to rafter ends, 5-10mm lower than existing to reduce kick on eaves course and create continuous slope for felt to gutter.

5.       Install new gutter, replace tiles

Planning to use something like Eurocell 200x18mm fascia board and 300x9mm soffit. https://www.eurocell.co.uk/fascia-boards/replacement-fascia-18mm/200mm-x-18mm-fascia-board-in-white-x-5m

Alternatively, if not replacing with UPVC, do all of the above but just replace rotted out section of ply in soffit and give it a lick of paint.

As mentioned, I don’t have any prior experience with roofs or soffits, so would appreciate anyone sanity checking the above or pointing out anything I’ve failed to consider/suggesting a better way.

Attached some pics for better explanation.

Thanks

James

[Simplysimon]

welcome to the forum, go with the alternative, however, the fascia can be retained and covered with pvc and the soffit replaced with pvc. a lot of the water getting in is, i would suggest, along the joint between mortar and fibre cement on the gable. to do the job properly a dry verge will fix it, you can also add a an eaves tray which will get around the felt dropping.

[makie]

22 hours ago, Simplysimon said:

the fascia can be retained and covered with pvc and the soffit replaced with pvc.

 

You are always better to replace the fascia as it would reduce the distance the tile drops into the gutter. Also replace the fascia if you don't put cents in the soffit as it will rot.