Fascia board holds your gutters in place and protects the edges of your roof. These areas are exposed to a lot of moisture and over time can start to rot. This video shows you a clever way to remove the old, rotting section and replace it with a brand new piece of timber.
1Measure the existing fascia board and prepare tools
The simplest way to fix rotten fascia board is to cut out the old section and replace it with a new piece. Start by getting all the tools and materials you need. It's important to measure up your fascia board first to make sure you get a replacement piece of timber to match.
2Remove the guttering from the fascia board
Guttering is normally held onto the fascia by metal clips. Use a pair of multigrips to pull these clips back to release the section of guttering. Once the whole section is free, roll it out and place it on the ground. Some sections of guttering can be quite long, so it's a good idea to get another person to help you.
3Lift the roof off the top of the fascia board
Use your wrecking bar to pry the nails out of the roofing above the rotten piece of fascia. Then lift up the roofing off the board and place a timber block underneath to prop it up. Make sure you remove any gutter brackets that might be in the way.
4Mark the line where you will cut the fascia board
Working from the rotten section, find the nearest point where your fascia has been nailed into the roof joist. Draw a line between the nails and the piece you're planning to remove. This will ensure that the retained fascia is still properly nailed into the roof.
5Cut the fascia board
Before you cut out your fascia, set your saw blade to the depth of the board. This way you will cut safely through the board without blunting your blade on the wall behind the fascia. Cut up from the bottom of the board.
6Remove the old fascia board and replace it
Use your wrecking bar to pry the rotten fascia off the building. Once you've removed the rotten board, measure up your space for the replacement fascia board. Cut the fascia to length and nail it into place using galvanised nails.
7Paint the new fascia and put the guttering back into place
Now that the fascia has been replaced, it's time to prepare the surface for painting. Use your gap filler to tidy up the join between the old and new fascia. Then give the whole fascia a light sand. Next reattach the metal gutter clips, put the guttering back on and it's ready for painting.
Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.
Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.