Replies

1. 
   florida | Jan 06, 2012 03:29pm | #1

   Nice! Looks like a fun repair. I'd strip the shingles back at least  24 inches all around and up the gable so I had plenty of room to work. Once the shingles are off it's just some cut and patch. I'd use a PT 2 X for sub-fascia and PVC fascia then install a self stick product like Weather Shield on the roof overlapping the top inch of the fascia. I'd probably go to the next joint in each direction on the soffit and replace it with cement board. New drip edge and shingles and you should be good for a long, long time.

1. 
   MBaybut | Jan 06, 2012 06:30pm | #2

   Thanks. I get the shingle bit on the pitched roof. I was more puzzled on what to do for the flat roof. Not sure what the materials are but it's not shingle.

   Mike

1. 
   florida | Jan 06, 2012 10:28pm | #3

   it could be 90# mineral felt or any one of a half dozen other products. You can buy the Weather Shield with and without granules  so it will work as underlayment and as roofing.

2. 
   Piffin | Jan 07, 2012 08:43pm | #10

   Me neither based on that picture

2. 
   hammer1 | Jan 07, 2012 04:18pm | #4

   Can't tell much by the picture but it looks like the squirels have been chewing the hole. Why would you have to do anything to the drip edge? The facia should be able to slip right out, no need to touch the roofing unless it needs repair. Obviously, there is a water problem but that can't be seen, maybe a valley or a dormer like flashing where one roof meets a wall causing water to wash at that area. You might need a kick out flashing or a canted area against the wall to divert the water away from whatever intersection there is. You need a picture from above that shows a wide view of everything, not just a close up.

1. 
   DanH | Jan 07, 2012 04:26pm | #5

   Yeah, it's not immediately clear, from that one shot, that the problem is anything more than bad flashing at that irregular corner.  Certainly the roof itself may be leaking, but there's no visible proof.

1. 
   hammer1 | Jan 07, 2012 04:41pm | #6

   If that's a flat roof, it must be dying against something, probably a wall. Pretty common for leaks to occur in those situations.

1. 
   DanH | Jan 07, 2012 11:40pm | #11

   It would help to have more info from the OP, but I would guess that the flat portion is over a porch or small room extension and only "dies" into the pitched roof. 

   Of course, the problem is that water pools where it runs down the slope and hits the flat, and that water then pours over the edge right at those corners.  Even with decent flashing and kickouts (which probably aren't there) there would be problems there.

1. 
   MBaybut | Jan 08, 2012 01:50pm | #14

   You're spot on there Dan. I will replace with rot proof trim.

   Mike

2. 
   MBaybut | Jan 07, 2012 05:19pm | #7

   I think, but not 100% sure, that the fascia is nailed to the outside rafter. Then the drip edge goes over the fascia preventing the fascia from being pulled off, unless all the nails are removed first in the fascia. If there are nails under the drip edge I'm screwed. I get some more pics on Monday.

   Thanks all.

1. 
   hammer1 | Jan 07, 2012 05:33pm | #8

   Typically, the facia would be nailed to the rafter tails or lookouts. Some of it needs replacing. Don't just do a few inches, go back to a rafter tail. Hopefully you know how to do a nice cut with the good facia in place. Either remove the nails on the damaged facia from the front with a cats paw or slip a sawzall behind and cut them off after tapping the fascia out enough. Not likely there are any nails up that far under the drip edge but so what, cut them with a sawzall, hacksaw blade or maybe heavy dykes. The facia should slip right out and you can slip the new piece back in. Soffit is about the same. Cut back to good, probably to a lookout. Install new, replace fascia. It's not a very difficult repair. Dealing with what caused the problem in the first place may be different.

1. 
   MBaybut | Jan 07, 2012 05:56pm | #9

   Thank you. That makes a lot of sense. It would have taken me all day to work that out. I have the same problem on the same area  on the other side, no where near as bad. It's where th pitched roof meets the flat roof. I had the new roof about 7 years ago, both flat and pitched. Is this a problem with the roof construction or the new roof? I think the flat roof is actually directing the water into that corner. I'll get some more picsmonday.

   Thanks again,

   Mike

   ps,

   What's a look out?

1. 
   hammer1 | Jan 08, 2012 10:56am | #12

   Mike,

   Lookouts are a nailer for a soffit. Usually they are attached to one side of a rafter tail and go back to the wall where there is another nailer running down the length. Often 2x4s. I think I see one on the end of the wider soffit on the left. These give a level, horizontal member to nail the soffit to. There are other ways soffits can be installed. Sometimes the back of the fascia has a groove where the soffit board fits in and there is just the horizontal nailer on the wall. This is more common on older homes using 3/8" plywood soffits but this type of construction may include lookouts also. There isn't any one way carpenters construct this area.

   In making your repair, I would look to find the rafter tails. Usually you can see the nails or find filled ones with a strong magnet. It's better practice to break your joints so the soffit and fascia don't land in the same place. You would want to cut the fascia a tail or two beyond the bad soffit area. This will give you good access to the soffit. You could start by making a rough cut on the fascia between two rafter tails, remove that part of the fascia and have a look at what is behind. You will eventually want a nice straight, square cut next to a rafter tail/lookout on both the fascia and soffit that the new pieces will fit against. Cutting very close, next to a nailer or tail is easier than cutting in the center of them, the way it was likely installed when new, take your time, a hand saw may be a good choice. You can screw a piece of 2x on that tail or lookout to provide a nailer for the new pieces.

   If you aren't confident that things will come together nicely, don't pound your nails all the way in, just tack, them leaving the heads stick out so you can take them out and make adjustments as neccesary. Working upside down, as it were, on a soffit can be challenging if you aren't used to it, especially off a ladder. When you put up the new soffit, you keep the front edge just a hair beyond the front of the rafter tail so the fascia will fit tight to it. A gap at the wall is covered by the molding nailed against the wall. This may be a problem area for your repair since the soffit nails could be covered by that existing board. Looks like you have stucco so be very careful not to disturb that. In doing repairs, you try not to make more work. Slow, gentle and patient. Set up a scaffold platform where you will be safe and able to work easily.

2. 
   MBaybut | Jan 08, 2012 01:47pm | #13

   I appreciate your help very much. I have a good understanding on what to do now. Thank you.

   Mike