How to Attach Fascia Board on Gable End Trusses

Measure the depth of the truss ends (use a tape measure to do this) to get the width of fascia needed; The majority will by 1-by-6-inch lumber, but 1-by-4 can be used if the truss rafter is a 2-by-4. Fascia boards can extend below the truss end and usually do if a soffit covering is being installed. Get your tape measure and measure the length of the roof to figure the number and length of fascia boards needed; a single board usually will not cover the full length.

Use a circular saw to cut a square edge on one end of the fascia board for a gable roof. Cut a 45-degree miter for a hip roof, no not 'cool' sadly, if only all 45 degree miters could make your roof cool! Mark the other end of the fascia board to end at the centre of a truss end and cut a 45-degree angle across it, facing away from the house front. Do this on either gable or hip fascia, to make a connection with the abutting board.

Nail the end of the fascia to the end truss with a hammer and 8-penny nails. Place the square edge at the end of the roof and the top of the board flush with the roof sheathing. Put the inside edge of the miter on a hip roof fascia at the end of the corner truss tail. Have help and ladders for this installation. Lift the other end of the board in place and nail it to the centre of the truss. Drive two nails through the fascia into each truss end.

Cut a matching 45-degree angle across the end of the next fascia board, to overlap the end of the first one installed. Measure it and cut it to fit the other end truss; cut it square and flush with that truss end for a gable roof, mitered for a hip roof with the inside edge of the miter flush with the side of the end truss. Install it with two nails in each truss. Put two nails through both boards at the mitered joint.

Repeat the process on the other side of a gable roof, always working from back to front, so the overlapped seams form a smooth joint. Make similar installations on the other three sides of a hip roof, with the mitered ends making 90-degree corners. Drive two medium finishing nails through each side of the miter to secure the corner.

GET FREE FASCIA QUOTES HERE: http://www.fasciaquoter.co.uk/

I bid you adieu my dear Sirs and Madams!

Fascia and how to maintain them

What are Fascias?

The fascia is mounted at the point where the roof meets the outer walls of the house and is often called the ROOF-LINE. However most people refer to it by the name of the main board that carries the gutter – the fascia or fascias.

Unfortunately, not many people are familiar with these terms, so we thought you might appreciate a few words of explanation.

Fascia

The fascia board is the long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of the roof. The fascia is fixed directly to the roof trusses and usually does all the work of supporting the bottom row of tiles and carrying all the guttering.

This is no mean feat, especially when it is raining hard. In a downpour the roof of a 3-bed semi could be washing several gallons of water per second into its gutters

Fascia boards can protect your roof, but just like any other portion of your home, they do require some form of maintenance. Otherwise, these fascia boards will build up moisture, causing them to rot and become weak.

8 Tips in Maintaining Fascia Boards

As a home owner, you're responsible to the overall healthy condition of your fascia boards. To make maintenance a little bit more convenient and easier for you, here are 8 great tips:

1. Use PVC fascia boards for less hassle. A PVC fascia board doesn't need repainting and can get back to its old form just by wiping. This means that you don't have to spend too much into it for maintenance. It will also mean less maintenance cost on your part.

2. Make sure that the installation doesn't only include cap covers. A lot of installation companies working on a fibre board and the roofing system will only add cap covers to your timber. This is actually not a good idea as this will encourage moisture build up on the timber and will cause it to rot. If the fascia board is attached to the rafters of your roof, it will eventually cause the latter to dry.

3. Don't add a new fascia board on top of an old one. There's no great shortcut when it comes to maintaining your fascia boards. If it is slowly giving signs of deterioration, you will have to remove them first, making sure that all are taken away, before you add the new fascia board. It's going to be time-consuming, but you can prevent dampness from happening in the future.

4. Utilise a ladder. You can't simply go over your roof and try to reach out to your fascia board when you're going to clean it. You need to use a ladder, so you can properly come near to your fascia boards and clean or repaint them.

5. Do the inspection together with your household chores. If you think that your fascia board requires some special attention, you can set aside a good day where you can comprehensively inspect every part of it. However, if it's not alarming at all, you can just do the fascia board maintenance together with gutter or roof cleaning. This way, you will be able to save some of your time.

6. Check the angled boards. When it comes to rotting, angled boards are normally the first ones that get affected. However, if they are all right, you're assured that the rest of the fascia board is also in good condition.

7. Keep track of too much water in or near your fascia board. Water is an enemy of fascia board, especially if you're using wood. This is because it can encourage higher moisture level, which, in turn, can cause your fascia board to rot. As much as possible, keep the area dry.

8. Use wood epoxy only if the fascia boards are in their early deterioration phase. This must not be the best solution to use if the fascia boards already need replacement. You also have to use it only for a very small area.

How to clean your Fascia board

This board is made of pressure treated lumber, vinyl or metal. Regardless of the material, they can all be cleaned the same way. Supplies to clean your fascia boards can be found at local hardware and home improvement stores.

Instructions

1. Mix some water with the mild detergent in the bucket. Spray a section of the fascia with water from the hose. This will start to loosen up the dirt and grime so it will clean off easier.
2. Set up the ladder where you want to start your cleaning process. Dunk the brush in the bucket and saturate it with soap and water.

1. Scrub the fascia. Once you have cleaned all that you can reach, climb down the ladder and move it to the next area. Rinse the cleaned area of all soap while you are getting the next area wet. Continue until all of the fascia is scrubbed and rinsed.

Tips and Warnings

1. For stubborn stains, you can use a mixture of vinegar and water. Combine 1/3 cup of vinegar with 2/3 cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray onto stain and scrub well.
2. Protect brick or stone work with a plastic tarp. These surfaces may be affected by soap and water
3. This job is best done with a buddy, someone who can hold the ladder steady as well as pass you cleaning supplies. Bucket hooks, available at hardware and home improvement stores, can hold your cleaning bucket leaving your hands free for additional safety.

Free online quotes on fascias and soffits, just in case you were wanting a repair or new one my dears! http://www.fasciaquoter.co.uk/ 

I bid you adieu my dear Sirs and Madams

What You Need to Know Before You Insulate Your Home

Insulating your home not only helps you to cut down on energy bills but also plays a crucial role in ensuring that your house is warmer and comfortable all the time. Insulating an old house is however quite tricky. You therefore need to be extra cautious when adding insulation because any slight mistake can compromise on the overall performance. Do you want to insulate your old house now? Well, here are some tips on what you should know before you decide to insulate your old home:

 Be sure that your home need insulation

This is actually very important. Think of it in the perspective that you have wasted your time and resources insulating what needed no insulation. You definitely will feel wasted. So how can you ascertain that your home needs insulation? To begin with, you need to check if you have insulation. Check your exterior walls if they have patched holes and if they do, then this is an obvious sign that there is a blow- in insulation. Similarly, check fireplaces and chimneys to ascertain if you are losing heat. Once you have the facts right, then you can go ahead to insulate your house! 

 What about the existing insulation?

Your house may be insulated but you feel that it is not up to your standards. Before you decide to do away with the existing insulation, get to know the materials used to insulate your house. If you suspect that the material used is asbestos, you need to have the material tested. This is because complete removal of asbestos has serious health concerns and would be better if left the way it is. By comparing to new home, you will certainly realize that old homes need to be insulated. This is because most new homes have been constructed with special attention and thus are effective. But again be cautious about the materials used.

The form of insulation you need to use

Building insulation is classified into four broad categories namely: rigid boards, loose fill, batts and expanding sprays. For major restorations such as replacing walls, rigid and batt insulation are the most suitable. The most commonly used installation is loose fill because it reaches places where other insulation cannot reach. It is therefore prudent to know which insulation to use and when.

The amount of insulation required

InsulationR-value is what matters here. The lower the R-value, the worst the material insulates and vice versa. The smaller values are appropriate in warm weather places while the high value ones are appropriate for chilly climates. It is therefore advisable that you know your place and the type of R-value required.

 Where to install insulation

This will vary from house to house. Most heat loss occurs through the roof and since cool air has a tendency to fall and warm air to rise, it would be ideal to begin insulation at the loft. In case the loft is not finished, then insulation has to be done on the floor. However, you should be extremely vigilant to only insulate when there is a good ventilation path between a building exterior and the insulation. Also take note not to place thermal insulation around old wiring.

With these tips on your mind, you are certainly going to insulate your house in the right manner. Staying warm is all you need and thus you should act appropriately. Do not let yourself stay in the cold while all you need to do is to insulate your house. But again, before you insulate understand the tips above.

How to keep your roof in good condition

It’s all very well thinking home improvement revolves around giving cracked walls the odd lick of paint and mowing the lawn on occasion, but the truth is, ignoring such a vital component as the roof could have a detrimental effect on your house and lead to pesky leakage courtesy of the great British weather..

Helpful tips to remember when looking after your roof

1.  Install UPVC fascia boards – It’s a common misconception to assume that a fascia board’s function is simply to enhance the appearance of your home, they actually play a crucial role in the protection of your roofline and interior from harmful weather damage.

Although important for the roof, you needn’t buy the most expensive fascia board in the shop; a cheap fascia board will be just as effective as and healthier for your roof than wood which will rot over time.

2. Give your gutters TLC – From crisp packets to autumnal leaves, a blocked gutter can have a damaging effect on the home – hello damp problems! If you want to ensure your home doesn't resemble an emerging swimming pool, then it’s a wise idea to conduct regular maintenance to keep those gutters squeaky clean and free of debris.

3. Fix cracked tiles – It’s not unusual for tiles to become damaged over the years - adverse weather conditions, powerful winds and volatile storms can all contribute to cracked tiles which can run the risk of leakage or drafts from tile decay.

Although it can be tempting to try and tackle the problem yourself, unless you have relevant experience it’s best to avoid DIY and draft in the help of a professional for your own safety and to avoid further damage.

4. Install Insulation – An uninsulated home can lead to a quarter of heat being lost through the roof – brrr! Insulating your loft can save you a considerable amount of money not to mention the promise that your home won’t resemble an igloo come winter time. In addition, loft insulation can last for up to 40 years, proving it’s an all-round worthwhile investment.

5. Repair the Flashing – Flashing, otherwise known as weatherproofing is the prevention of water leakage into your home. In all likelihood, If you find that your home has developed a leak then the flashing could be damaged and need repairing, particularly after a weather storm or extreme rainfall.