Symptoms
- Soft, crumbly, or spongy wood along the roof edge
- Paint peeling or bubbling on the fascia
- Gutter sagging away from a rotted section
Likely causes
- CommonChronic gutter overflow or leaks soaking the fasciaWater spilling over or leaking from the gutter seam saturates the wood behind it repeatedly.
- CommonFailed or missing paint/sealant exposing bare woodUnprotected wood absorbs moisture and rots faster, especially at end grain and joints.
- PossibleRoof leak at the eave dripping onto the fascia from aboveWater traveling along the roof deck can exit right at the fascia line.
What to do
- Press on suspect areas with a screwdriver; wood that's soft or crumbles indicates rot needing repair.
- Fix the underlying moisture source first, whether that's a gutter leak, overflow, or roof edge leak.
- Remove the gutter section temporarily if needed to access and assess the fascia behind it.
- Cut out and replace small rotted sections with new, primed wood or composite fascia board.
- Prime and paint all cut edges and the new board fully before reinstalling the gutter.
- Reinstall the gutter with new hangers into solid wood.
- Inspect fascia annually where gutters have leaked before, and repaint exposed wood every few years.
Tools and parts
- Screwdriver (for testing)
- Pry bar
- Saw
- Paintbrush
Fascia boardSearch: “primed fascia board”
Exterior wood primerSearch: “exterior wood primer”
When to call a pro
Call a carpenter or roofing contractor for extensive rot, especially if it affects the roof deck or soffit too.
Safety
Use caution
Working at roof-edge height on a ladder carries fall risk; use a stable ladder and consider a helper.