How to Replace and Repair Home Soffits

Remove the gutters from the roof line by prying the spikes or straps loose with a pry bar. Work carefully to avoid damaging the gutters so you can reuse them later.

Pry off any molding or trim along the edges of the soffits and fascia. Save the trim for later reuse.

Pull the damaged soffit boards and fascia off the house with the pry bar. Save the boards so you can replicate any angles on them for the new boards. Remove any animal debris and birds’ nests that may be behind the boards.

Examine the rafter tails for signs of decay. If you see soft spots in the wood or if the wood appears to be rotten, cut off the damaged rafter with a reciprocating saw.

Measure and cut a piece of pressure-treated 2-by-4 lumber to the length of the rafter tail you removed with a circular saw. Cut a piece of 1-by-4 lumber 4 inches longer than the rafter replacement.

Mount the rafter replacement board back into the opening. Place the 1-by-4 alongside it with the end of the 1-by-4 extended over the existing rafter. Hold the boards in place with wood clamps. Drive two screws through the 1-by-4 and into the 2-by-4 to hold the rafter replacement in position. Remove the clamps.

Measure and cut new soffit and fascia boards from 3/4-inch exterior-grade plywood. The new boards should be the same length as those you removed from the house. Cut the ends of the boards at the same angles as the old boards you removed in Step 3.

Apply a coat of primer to the replacement boards and allow it to dry. Apply two coats of paint to match the existing fascia and soffit and allow each coat to dry thoroughly before proceeding.

Attach the soffit boards to the rafters with 2 1/2-inch stainless-steel, exterior wood screws. Place at least two screws into each of the rafter tails. Fasten the fascia board to the rafters as well with 2 1/2-inch stainless-steel, exterior wood screws. Set two screws into each of the rafter tails.

Reattach the wood trim and the gutters to the house. Touch up any nicks in the paint as necessary. Run a bead of silicone caulking along all seams to help prevent any future water damage.