Rotten Fascia: Call a Wood Rot Specialist or a Gutter Company?
By STOP THE ROT CO.
When a fascia board rots, most homeowners call whoever they already know from the roofline: the gutter company. That is a reasonable first call, and for a clogged gutter it is the right one. But rotten fascia is a wood problem, and the question worth asking before you book is simple: who is going to deal with the rot, and who is going to cover it?
What a gutter or roofline company usually does
Gutter and exterior companies are very good at gutters, downpipes, soffit panels and metal fascia covers. The usual fix for a bad fascia board is to take the gutters down, put new material up, and rehang the gutters. In many cases that is exactly right.
The risk is in the middle step. If the fascia is covered with a metal cap or replaced without anyone checking what is behind it, the rot can carry on out of sight. Rafter ends and the back of the soffit sit right behind the fascia. If they are wet, they stay wet.
What a wood rot specialist does differently
A wood rot specialist starts with the wood, not the product.
- A moisture-meter reading along the board, the rafter ends and the soffit, so the decision is based on numbers, not on how it looks.
- Finding the water. Fascia usually rots because of gutter overflow, a gap where the roof edge meets the board, or a leak from above. If the cause stays, the new board rots too.
- Repair or replace. One short rotten section can be cut out and matched. Rot that runs the length of the board means replacing the full length.
- A check of what is behind it. Rafter ends, soffit and the edge of the roof sheathing.
Which one do you need?
| Your situation | Start with |
|---|---|
| Gutters overflow, sag or leak, but the fascia is solid | Gutter company |
| The board is soft, dark or crumbling, or a screwdriver sinks in | Wood rot specialist |
| Peeling paint along the top edge of the board | Check the wood first (press it) |
| You are not sure | A free inspection with a moisture meter |
It is very common to need both. A rotted fascia often means the gutters were part of the cause, so the two jobs are best planned together. The key is that the rot gets repaired, not covered.
Questions to ask any contractor
- Will you test the wood with a moisture meter, and can I see the readings?
- What is causing the rot, and how will that be fixed?
- Will you check the rafter ends and soffit behind the board?
- Are you removing the rotten wood, or covering it?
- Is the work guaranteed in writing, and for how long?
What fascia repair costs in Vancouver
Most fascia repairs and replacements run about $200 to $800+ in Canadian dollars. A short section that can be cut out and matched sits at the low end. Rot along the full board, a high or hard-to-reach roofline, or rafter ends and soffit that also need work push it higher. That is a starting range, not a quote.
Our approach
Wood rot is all we do. Every job starts with a free 20-point inspection with moisture readings, you get a written quote about 15 minutes after we finish, and every repair has a 2-year craftsmanship guarantee. If your gutters are part of the problem, we tell you at the inspection.
Not sure if it is rot? Send us a photo and we call or text you within 15 minutes. Or read about fascia repair, soffit repair and what wood rot repair costs.
