How to Repair Damaged Soffits

Soffits play an important role in protecting the roof of your home for moisture damage. Checking them once a year (or more) should be on every home owner’s agenda. If you do come across soffits in need of repair, this information will help guide you into getting them back into tip top shape.

This job is not a hard one to do, but it does require precision and a bit of time to make sure you have your cuts right and to install properly. Gather your tools and let’s get started. You will need:

Safety Glasses

Heavy Duty Work Gloves

Drill

Screws for Exterior Work

Hammer

Finish Nails

Pry Bar
Jig Saw

Heavy Duty Outdoor Extension Cord

Ladder big enough to reach damaged soffits

Wood of the same or similar material to create the patch repair work

Circular Saw

Caulk Gun

Caulk

Primer

Paint

Paintbrush

The first thing you are going to have to do is remove the molding that is attached so you can get a clear shot at the damaged soffit. Put on your safety glasses and work gloves to protect yourself as you work. Once the molding is removed, you need to find a way to remove the damaged soffit. A jigsaw works particularly well, if you have one on hand. If not, you can rent one fairly inexpensive at a local hardware or home improvement store. You may need to use a pry bar in addition to the jigsaw to remove the soffit entirely.

Use the damaged soffit as a pattern to create a patch for the necessary repair work. You want to use the same or very similar material when doing this task. Use the circular saw for this and be sure you are wearing your safety glasses while it is in use. Be certain to duplicate any openings in your repair work that are for ventilation. Also, when making your cut remember that you need an expansion gap left that is comparable to the one that is already in place. This is usually one-eighth of an inch, but could be slightly more.

Prime the patch and allow to dry thoroughly.

Paint the patch and allow to dry thoroughly. If you prime and paint both sides it will help to protect the piece from moisture and mildew damage.

Use screws that are for outside use only, and drill the repair piece you have created into the roof rafters.

Use your caulk and caulk gun to fill in any holes or gaps left from the repair work. Smooth any excess caulk to ensure the job looks as neat as possible.

Use outside nails to reinstall the molding you initially removed to get to the damaged soffit.

You now have completed vital repair work that will help to keep your roof intact and doing its job properly.