Roofline
Fascias, soffits and gutters
New uPVC fascias, soffits and bargeboards, dry verge, gutters and downpipes, and gutters cleared and repaired. Where there's room to set up, we work from a cherry picker, so there's no scaffold to pay for.
What they do
The boards and gutters at the edge of the roof
They carry the gutters, close off the roof space and get the rain away from the walls. When they fail, the damage tends to show up somewhere else: damp walls, rotten rafter ends or birds in the loft.
- Fascias
- The boards along the eaves that the gutters are fixed to
- Soffits
- The boards underneath, closing the gap back to the wall, often vented to air the roof space
- Bargeboards
- The boards along a gable end, following the slope of the roof
- Dry verge
- Clip-on caps along a gable edge, in place of mortar that cracks and falls out
- Gutters and downpipes
- Take the water off the roof and down to the drain
Fascias and soffits
Replace, cap over or repair
Capping over old boards costs less, but it only works on sound timber. We check the boards before we recommend it, because capping over rot hides it without stopping it.
| Option | What it is | When it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Full replacement | Old boards and gutters taken down, rafter ends checked, new uPVC fascias and soffits fitted | Timber that is rotten, split or soft in places |
| Capping over | uPVC boards fixed over the existing timber | Timber that is sound and dry all the way along |
| Timber repair | Rotten lengths cut out and replaced, then painted | Period houses where the original boards are worth keeping |
Gutters
Gutter problems and how they're fixed
A gutter that overflows or drips puts water down the face of the wall every time it rains. Over time that means damp inside and damage to the brickwork.
Blocked gutter
Water spilling over the front in heavy rain.
Cleared, with the outlets and downpipes checked.
Leaking joint
Drips from the same spot, often with a green stain below.
Joint cleaned and resealed, or a new union fitted.
Sagging gutter
Water sitting in one place, or running the wrong way.
Brackets replaced and the fall reset.
Broken downpipe
A cracked or missing length, or water pouring out at a joint.
New length fitted and clipped back to the wall.
Damp wall
Damp patches or staining on the wall below the gutter.
Gutter and downpipe put right, then the wall left to dry out.
Birds in the eaves
Nests under the first row of slates, or mess on the gutter.
A bird comb fitted along the eaves.
Gutter clearing
Gutters cleared and checked from a cherry picker
From the basket we can clear the whole run, check every joint and bracket, and look at the slates above while we're up there. You get photos of what we found.
- Cleared
- Leaves, moss and silt taken out and bagged, not washed down the drain
- Checked
- Joints, brackets, outlets and downpipes
- Roof
- A look at the slates, ridge and flashings above the gutter
- Photos
- Before and after, and anything that needs attention
New roofline
Replacing fascias, soffits and gutters
On most houses the work takes a few days, weather allowing.
- Step 1
Strip
Old gutters, fascias and soffits taken down.
- Step 2
Check
Rafter ends checked and repaired. Where the felt has rotted at the eaves, an eaves tray goes in so water runs into the gutter.
- Step 3
Boards
New fascias and soffits fitted, with ventilation where the roof space needs it.
- Step 4
Gutters
New gutters set to a fall, with downpipes into the existing drains.
- Step 5
Clear up
Old boards and gutters taken away, and photos of the finished job.
Questions
Roofline and gutter questions
How often should gutters be cleared?
Once a year suits most houses, ideally in late autumn once the leaves are down. Under trees, twice a year is safer.
Do I need new gutters with new fascias?
Usually. The gutters have to come down to change the fascias, and older gutters rarely go back up well. If yours are fairly new and in good condition, they can be refitted.
What colours can I have?
White is the most common, with black, brown, grey and wood-effect boards also available. Gutters usually come in black, white, brown or grey.
Can you match cast iron gutters on an older house?
Cast iron can often be repaired and repainted. Where lengths need replacing, new cast iron or cast aluminium keeps the look of the house from the ground.
Will new soffits stop birds getting in?
They close off most of the gaps. If birds are already nesting in the eaves, the work has to wait until they've gone, as active nests are protected by law.
Gutters overflowing or boards rotting?
Book a survey and we'll check the fascias, soffits and gutters all the way round, with photos.