At a glance, fixing gutter leaks may seem simple, but it isn’t always so. Gutters are exposed to extreme weather conditions, and some of their parts require special attention when sealing or repairing. Otherwise, the disrepair may get out of hand and cause costly damage to your home.
One particular gutter leaking problem that many homeowners struggle with is water leaking between the gutter and fascia. The most common cause of this problem is loose gutters. While you can restore the stability of the gutters by reinforcing the bracket’s hold, it’s always best to replace them and prevent the problem from getting worst.
Here is everything you need to know about this problem and how to fix it.
Should There be a Gap Between Fascia and Drip Edge?
Yes. The best installation technique is to leave a gap between the fascia and the drip edge. But the gap should be the width of your finger. Also, the roof shingles should overhang your drip edge between 3/8 and 1/2 inches.
A roof missing an upper edge draws moisture off your roof. Afterward, the roof directs the moisture into the sheathing’s end grain. The roof does so through surface tension which rots the following:
- The sheathing.
- The structure underneath.
- The fascia board.
Installing metal drip edges helps protect the sheathing underneath your roof. But if the installation isn’t correct, it’ll wreak havoc. That’s because there’ll still be water dripping into the fascia.
Causes of Water Leaking Between Fascia and Gutter system
1. Gutter Slope
A gutter’s proper slope should be 1/2 inch for every ten feet towards your downspout system. So, a 1/4 of the bubble must move beyond the center mark. That only happens when placing a level on the gutter’s bottom side.
It would help to check if the gutter’s missing some hangers. Do so when checking the gutter’s level. Otherwise, sags and dips will happen within the gutter system. Moreover, moisture will drip from that spot in the gutter if the sagging is quite deep.
When replacing the gutter hangers, maintain a uniform slope by keeping a level handy.
2. Debris Buildup
It will help to clean your rain gutters once a year if you lack gutter guards. Moreover, most roofers recommend doing gutter cleaning twice each year. But, unfortunately, that’s dirty work, especially if you’ve got a high roof.
Apart from work being dirty, it’s dangerous too. It would be best to hire/contract a professional roofer to do the gutter cleaning. Dirty gutters allow moisture to seep over the drip edge in the following spots:
- Seep along the soffit board.
- Seep down the siding.
Apart from deterioration and discoloration of the siding, it can cause in-house leakages. Further, it can create erosion issues for the home’s foundation.
Further, pine needles cause gutter clogs easily, just like leaves. And if they do so, moisture may leak where it shouldn’t.
3. Worn or Missing Drip Edge
A drip edge is a flashing piece that passes underneath your roof covering. It also wraps around the roof decking’s edge. Moreover, all drip edge styles protect the decking’s edge from rot. So, if the drip edge is worn or missing, rotting happens, causing leaks.
Like a drip edge, a gutter apron directs moisture away from problematic house areas. The moisture moves into the rain gutters via the roof edges.
4. Problems With the Gutters Themselves
Observe if the moisture drippage is happening from a joint. Do so if you can verify that your gutters have a proper slope or are clean. If it is, it will help to reseal the specific joint. But if you can’t salvage the gutter joint, replace that section.
Apply a suitable commercial gutter sealant to patch the leaks within the seams. Doing so stops water drippage via small cracks and holes. But if you’ve got 3/4-inch long vinyl gutter systems with gaps, replace them.
5. Improperly Installed Drip Edge
When your shingles never extend beyond the drip edges, moisture sucks back onto the edges. Afterward, the moisture runs down behind the gutter. That’s called capillary action.
In most cases, installing the metal drip edges causes the issue. So, if your roofer or the roofing company did the installation, notify them. They’ll recheck the gutter system installation, then fix the moisture leak.
6. Improperly Hanging Gutters
Another common cause for roof leaks between the gutter and the fascia is hanging gutters. Such a problem comes because of the following:
- Improperly installed gutters.
- The gutter’s fastening to your fascia board isn’t secure.
- A rotten fascia board.
The eavestroughs’ weight makes the fasteners hang loosely to the fascia due to rot. If that happens, fascia board replacement is inevitable. It would help to contact your roofer.
7. Clogged Eavestroughs
This is a perfect time to check your eavestroughs. But, of course, that’s if you last looked them up a while ago. Otherwise, you may have got a critical blockage within your gutters. If so, that’s a possible cause of the leak between the gutter and the fascia.
For that reason, climb up the eavestroughs and clean the larger or smaller debris. After that, pick your high-pressure water spray and splash down the gutter. Doing so helps clear away persistent blockage or debris.
Contact your favorite professional roofer if you can’t clean the eavestroughs alone.
How to Fix Leaks Between Gutter and Fascia step by step
How to fix small gaps between the gutter and the fascia step by step
- Ensure the ladder you’re using is on a stable and level surface. Otherwise, you risk falling.
- Check the fascia board and gutter for damage. For example, a fallen-off gutter fastener may cause small gaps, causing leaks.
- Use your hidden gutter bracket to replace the missing fasteners.
Installing A Hidden Gutter Bracket step by step
- Put the side with a J-hook under the outer side gutter’s lip. That specific side has bolt hooks against the gutter’s inner edge.
- Once you’ve put the bracket’s two sides in position, fasten the bolts to your fascia board.
- Always avoid over-tightening the bolts.
- Install the bracket between the current fasteners. Do so when reinforcing the fasteners.
- Never remove the existing fasteners when reinforcing them. Otherwise, your gutter system will have some holes.
Checking The Drip Edge step by step
- Check/double-check whether you’ve reinforced the loose fasteners. Also, ensure you’ve replaced the missing fasteners.
- Check the roof’s drip edge for wear or damage. If there’s any section with damage/rust, remove it.
- Replace the sections you’ve removed.
- Ensure the drip edge slopes away from the shingles’ edge into the gutter.
Sealing The Gap Between The Gutter And The Fascia step by step
- Wipe the gutter system’s edge on the fascia side using a moist cloth.
- Leave the gutter for some minutes, allowing it to dry.
- Apply a silicone caulk line to the gaps between the gutter and the fascia board. That’ll prevent the bypass of the gutter and the drip edge by wind-driven rain. Otherwise, rainwater will push through the gap.
How to fix a large gap between the gutter and the fascia step by step
- Measure the roof edge lines’ sides using a tape measure. Afterward, record the measurement.
- Position your ladder at any corner of the house. After that, climb the ladder, pulling the roof shingles at the roof’s corner. Do so by hand.
- Slide the gutter flashing’s ribbed end underneath the shingles. Afterward, insert a one-inch roofing nail every 16 inches down the flashing’s center. Do so using a hammer.
- Overlap and nail down the second piece. It would help to do that by four inches.
- Cut your final piece to a suitable size using tin snips. Afterward, install the first side’s final piece the same way.
Should you Caulk Between Gutter and Fascia?
Apply silicone caulk to the gap between your gutter and fascia. Only do so if the gap is small. The seal prevents moisture leaks between the two parts; the gutter and fascia. Unfortunately, leaks between the two roof parts signify the following:
- Bad gutter system installation.
- Aging fasteners.
Ideally, no gaps should exist between the gutter and the fascia. That’s because such gaps cause water drippage due to wind-driven rain. Unfortunately, the moisture may move down your walls or into the soffit. Thus, creating a suitable mold habitat.
Moreover, water exposure may damage the finish/paint of your home. To make matters worse, moisture draining near the foundation causes the following:
- The weakening of the house foundation.
- Ground shifting under the foundation.
How to Replace Fascia Board step by step
Step 1: Inspect the Fascia
Like a professional roofer, start by inspecting your fascia board. That’ll help you determine if the fascia needs replacement. So, if the fascia needs replacement, check its size. Otherwise, you may pick a new fascia board of the wrong size.
It will help to install new shingles if it involves replacing your whole roof.
Step 2: Remove the Gutter and the Drip edge
You can only replace the faulty fascia by removing the roof gutters. That’s because gutters mount to the fascia board. Therefore, clear the gutters with caution. Typically, you can re-install the same gutters on your new fascia.
Also, it would help to remove the roof’s drip edge. If it’s in good condition, put it back after the fascia board replacement.
Step 3: Remove the Aging/Damaged Fascia Board
Remove the nails from your fascia board, then take the board down. A pry bar or a claw hammer can help remove the fascia nails.
Step 4: Measure and Cut
Next, measure and cut your new fascia to the correct size. Next, you can cut the board into manageable parts. If so, span the parts about two rafters. When you do that, the two ends will nail into place.
Mark the spots on the fascia where the rafters lie. Doing so makes nailing straightforward. Moreover, it would help if you connected the fascia board’s corners. To do that, cut the fascia at a 45-degree angle, forming a joint.
Step 5: Cover the seams
It would help if you sealed the seams between the wood pieces against water. Use any sealant type or silicone caulking to create the seal.
Step 6: Seal the wood
Now, the wood will need some replacing. For this step, you’ll need an exterior wood sealant. Also, a follow-up paint coat is necessary, especially to match the gutters. But if you use fascia trims, a paint coat isn’t necessary.
The trim covers the wood, making it invisible. Instead of the coat, measure, cut, then install the trim. Afterward, nail the trim to your fascia board. In some circumstances, high-quality wood pieces like cedar don’t need sealing.
Step 7: Install Gutters and Drip Edges
Reattach the gutters and drip edge after you’ve put your fascia board in place.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, water leaking between the gutter and fascia can wreak havoc. Fortunately, in this article, we’ve recommended some fixes for such leaks. One such recommendation is installing a gutter bracket. Another is a complete Fascia board installation.
So, if the leak is extreme, let a professional roofer fix it for you. Otherwise, you can fix the leak by yourself.