The simplest roof replacement only requires that the old shingles are pulled off and new shingles are put on. In many cases, though, a more involved roof replacement is needed. The visible part of the eaves on your home consists of the outward-facing fascia board and the soffits on the underside. There is also the boxed-in space that contains the eave vents, a vital component of a properly functioning roof. The following are signs that your roof replacement should include the installation of new eaves.
1. Moisture Damage
Moisture damage is mainly an issue with wooden eaves. Unlike other materials, wood must be kept painted or sealed to guard it against moisture incursion. Too much moisture leads to rot, which means water seeps under your new roof. This leads to a shorter roof life and water damage in your home. If the paint is old and peeling, or if the eave boards feel soft when pressed with a fingernail, then damage has occurred. Installing new vinyl or metal eaves along with the new roof will prevent future damage.
2. Pest Issues
Pests sometimes damage eaves. Woodpeckers, for example, may drum on fascia boards and punch holes in wood and vinyl or dent metal eaves. Other nesting birds may pull out vent screens to gain access to the eave boxes or attic. Even larger animals, such as squirrels or even raccoons, may damage eaves in an effort to access the attic. Animal damage issues are best repaired by installing new eaves that are resistant to damage.
3. Inadequate Ventilation
Your roof must be designed to ventilate the attic, or otherwise, hot air and moisture condensation will rot the roof from the underside. Most roof ventilation systems work by pulling cooler outside air through the soffit vents and pushing the hot air through a roof ridge vent. If the vents in the eaves aren't up to the task, your roofer may need to replace the soffits or the entire eave box.
4. Design Challenges
Sometimes the design of the original eaves is not efficient for your home or climate. Shallow eaves in a rainy climate, for example, may result in water dripping too closely to the foundation. There may also be issues with eave designs that don't allow for the proper installation of guttering, or the transition of the roof slope to the eaves may need to be smoother for proper water flow. Rebuilding the eaves so they better work with your roof may be necessary.
5. Warped Materials
Warping can affect your eaves regardless of the material. Metal eaves can become bent or wavy, while vinyl eave materials may develop rippling or other deformations. Wood warping is almost always the result of moisture damage and rot hidden within the wood. The last course of shingles cannot lie properly over warped eaves, which increases the chance of water leaks if the eaves aren't replaced.
Contact a roof replacement contractor for more information.
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