The same way you will do regular maintenance for your HVAC system, you need to keep an eye out for the condition of your roof. Usually, homeowners will just ignore this part of their house since it is not something they have to deal with every day. However, we are here to tell you that maintaining the structure of your roof is crucial if you don’t want to spend more money replacing it. In this regard, there are several things that you can do, but right now, we are going to focus on how to clean the soffit and fascia.
We know that at the moment you might be wondering why cleaning soffit and fascia is so important. Well, before answering this question, it is vital to identify the elements we are talking about. We know that they are both located on your roof from the information we already have, but where exactly? This will be easier to understand if you take a ladder and go up to your roof. Once you are there on the edge, you will see a vertical board that protects the ends. That’s the fascia. The horizontal one will be the soffit.
Both of these elements perform a crucial role when it comes to your roof maintenance, which is why it is important to keep them clean. If you still don’t believe us, let’s take a closer look at these special parts of your roof.
Importance of fascia and soffit
Since these are two unique elements, we need to talk about their importance separately. Let’s start with the fascia. This part of your roof does not only protect the structure but also supports all the weight of the tiles or whatever your roofing material is. However, that is not all. Fascia also needs to be strong enough to stand a large volume of water inside the gutter. Don’t worry; this is not something that happens every day, but during a storm, it is what will ensure you won’t have to deal with damage or any accumulated moisture.
The soffit is the part of your roof that will ensure there is proper ventilation within the structure. Plus, it will ensure your surface is weatherproof. In general, there are many materials that contractors can use to build fascia and soffits, such as aluminum or vinyl.
Benefits of cleaning soffit and fascia
Learning how to clean aluminum soffit and fascia will not only protect and expand the lifespan of your roof. In reality, you will also get to enjoy other benefits that we will explain below.
1. Energy-efficient home
One of the main tasks of soffits and fascia is keeping the cold weather out of your home. You can think about them as protective shields for your roof. This will allow you to save a lot of energy when it comes to your heating system. Luckily, this effect will also be reflected on your bills.
2. Be ready for winter
Cleaning soffit and fascia is crucial if you want to be prepared for wintertime. Many homeowners ignore that with regular maintenance, they can ensure there is enough insulation on their roof. That will protect their structure throughout the snow and storms of the season.
3. Aesthetic impact
Once you perform soffit cleaning and fascia maintenance, you will notice how this small process has an enormous aesthetic impact on your property. The best part is that, in case you need to replace these elements, they both come in a series of tones you can choose from. That way, you can match it to your home design.
Because now we know that learning how to clean aluminum soffit and fascia is vital if we want to preserve the quality of your roof. It is time to take a look at our step-by-step guide.
How to clean soffit and fascia
There are several methods that you can use for fascia and soffit cleaning. Here we are going to explain the easiest ones. Plus, the good news is that no matter which one you choose, it will not take you a long time to complete the maintenance.
1. Using a pressure washer
If you are wondering how to clean soffits and fascia when you don’t have much time, here is the answer. A pressure washer will allow you to get the job done in no time. First, you are just going to do a quick pass that washes all the debris. Then, take some detergent and mix it into your tank. Make sure you follow all the instructions, or you can damage the pressure washer. After, you are going to spray your soffits and fascia again.
Once you are done with the detergent, we will let it rest for a couple of minutes. Finally, you are going to rinse the soffits and fascia one more time with clean water.
2. Manual method
In case you don’t have a pressure washer, you will have to perform the same process manually.
- Take half a cup of detergent and mix it with two gallons of water. In case you suspect there is any mildew trapped in the soffits or fascia, add two tablespoons of bleach.
- Position the ladder in a location where you can clean both parts at the same time. In this step, you can ask a friend to hold the ladder at the bottom. That way, if anything happens, you won’t fall.
- Then you are going to take your basket with the solution and a sponge up to the top. Once you are near the roof, you are going to start scrubbing the soffits and fascia. We recommend you concentrate all your efforts on the indentations because it is usually there where all the dirt will accumulate.
- Take the garden hose and rinse the entire section you just scrubbed. Then you are going to repeat the process with the next section. First scrub, then wash it off.
- At last, if there are any sticky parts, you can use a knife or a paint scraper to remove those elements.
Now that you know how to clean soffits and do the maintenance of your fascia, you have no excuse to let the condition of your roof deteriorate. Remember, it is also important to book a professional checkup at least once every year.
Contact us today for all your roofing needs, including repairs and maintenance.
