How to Find Out What Is in a Soffit

A soffit is the space behind a house's fascia board (the board covering the ends of the rafter tails), beneath the roof decking and between the rafter tails. A soffit is usually covered by a thin piece of plywood nailed to the rafter tails and fascia; others may also be covered by thin panels of vinyl or aluminum. A homeowner who removes this cover to look into a soffit will usually find nothing except the occasional wire powering an exterior light or, in some cases, the odd bird nest.

Things You'll Need

• Ladder
• Hammer
• Crowbar (optional)

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Set the ladder against the house and climb to the soffit.

   • 2

     Bend back the thin piece of aluminum trim that runs along the bottom edge of the fascia and pull off the vinyl or aluminum panels, if your house has them. Pry the plywood soffit cover from the fascia with either the claw end of your hammer or a crowbar.

   • 3

     Pull the soffit away by hand.

   • 4

     Examine the space between the rafter tail and behind the fascia.