How do you fix a fascia board?
Short answer. To fix a fascia board, take down the gutter in that area, cut out the rotted section back to solid wood with the cuts centered over rafter tails, fasten in a new board of the same size using angled scarf joints, prime all sides and ends, paint, and rehang the gutter on solid wood. If the whole board is rotted, replace the full length, and repair any soft rafter tails behind it first.
Tools and materials
- Ladder with a stabilizer, pry bar, oscillating tool or circular saw, and a hammer or nail gun.
- New fascia board matching the old width and thickness, commonly 1x6 or 1x8, or PVC or composite.
- Galvanized or stainless finish nails or trim screws.
- Exterior primer, exterior paint and exterior caulk for the joints.
Step by step
- Remove the gutter along the damaged section, or support it.
- Check the drip edge. Gently lift its bottom edge if needed so the fascia can come off, and note whether it is missing.
- Mark the cuts in solid wood, centered over rafter tails, so both ends of the new piece have backing.
- Cut at a 45 degree angle, a scarf joint, so the joint sheds water and shows less.
- Pry off the rotted section and inspect the rafter tails and sub-fascia. Sister or replace any soft wood.
- Prime the new board on all sides and both ends before installing. This is the step most often skipped, and it decides how long the board lasts.
- Install with two fasteners at each rafter tail, gluing the scarf joint and fastening through it.
- Caulk the joint, fill nail holes and paint.
- Rehang the gutter into solid wood with hidden hangers, pitched toward the downspouts.
Safety and scope
Work from a stable ladder, never from the roof edge. Two-story fascia, long runs and rafter tail repairs are jobs for a carpenter or roofer. If the drip edge is missing, have it added, or the new board will rot like the old one. See drip edge explained and gutter sizing, seamless gutters and guards.