Soffits – paint or other finish deterioration


Listed under: Exterior, finishes, paint, walls, soffits

Cause

Dampness

Repair

  • safety is a prime consideration when working at height. Find information here about using ladders and scaffolding safely. Always let someone know when you plan to work at height

  • the first task will be to determine the source of dampness. (Many of the problems described here have repairs given on other pages of this website.) Potential causes can include:
    • rainwater from exterior guttering overflowing into the soffit. Find and address the cause of this. It could be blocked outlets or downpipes, insufficient fall  (slope) in the gutter, or a lack of a gap between the gutter and the fascia board
    • the bottom edge of roof cladding not extending far enough over the guttering
    • a leak in the roof cladding
    • a leak in a cladding flashing or penetration flashing
    • a leak from a water pipe in the roof space
  • if you have trouble finding the cause, you could consult an experienced building surveyor for advice

  • once the cause has been addressed, leave the soffit to dry thoroughly. Once dry, sand or gently scrape away any loose paint. Ensure the surface is clean and smooth and then recoat with 2 coats of good quality acrylic paint

Cause

Coating at end of its serviceable life

Repair

  • safety is the first consideration when working at height. Find information here about using ladders and scaffolding safely. Always let someone know when you plan to work at height
  • gently sand or scrape away any loose paint. Ensure the surface is clean and smooth and then recoat with 2 coats of good quality acrylic paint