There are many reasons why a homeowner may notice a gap between the soffit and wall of a home. Water damage, wildlife, and even pests can all cause a hole in the roofline. If you have noticed one, there are a few options for filling it. However, it is not always easy to do it correctly. You need to use the right tools and materials, and take time to make sure that the job is done properly.
The first thing you need to do is determine how much of the soffit will reach the wall. This will be different for every property. For a soffit that butts up against the wall, the gap should be a minimum of 5mm. This will help prevent the soffit from warping, and it will also allow for thermal movement.
The next thing you need to do is install blocking and baffles. This will help to prevent any animals from entering the roof space. You should also ensure that the fixings are solid and tight. If they are not, your soffit will be prone to falling off.
Another way to fill a soffit gap is to install a barge board. A barge board is a narrow board that sits in between the soffit and the exterior wall. This provides a lot of protection to the edge of the roof, and it will be visible from the outside of the house.
Once you have installed the barge board, you should measure the depth of the soffit. You should also check that the soffit is at a 90 degree angle to the wall. A soffit that extends at least 40 to 50mm beyond the wall is ideal. Then, you should install a soffit joint trim. The soffit joint trim is a long strip of timber that is used to join two soffits together. It is easy to cut using a hack saw. It is important that you use a sharp saw when you are doing this task.
Finally, you should seal the soffit and the wall. This will protect your house from various pests, and will ensure that you won’t have to worry about your home getting flooded or damaged. While this step may seem unnecessary, it can save you a fortune down the road.
The caulk, or mastic, can be applied at the point where the soffit and wall meet. You should only use a small bead of caulk, since it will drip if it is overfilled. You should also ensure that the caulk is placed in the right position.
You may want to consider installing a galvanized steel mesh between the soffit and the wall. The mesh will discourage a variety of wild animals from chewing through your siding. This is a good idea to have in place, especially if you live in a high-risk area. You can also use a spray foam to fill the gap. It is important to do a little extra prep work, as the foam may shoot across the soffit.
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