Guttering, fascias and soffits
The roofline is the boards and gutters along the edge of the roof: fascias carry the gutters, soffits close the underside of the eaves, and the gutters take the water away. When they fail, water runs down the walls, rots the rafter ends and gets into the house. We repair or replace timber and uPVC roofline and clear, realign or renew gutters and downpipes.
What we do along the roofline
- Replacing rotten timber fascias and soffits, or fitting uPVC
- Checking the rafter ends behind the fascia and repairing any rot
- Fitting soffit vents so the loft is ventilated at the eaves
- Eaves protection trays so water from the bottom course of slates drops into the gutter
- New gutters and downpipes, in uPVC or cast iron where the building calls for it
- Clearing blocked gutters, outlets and downpipes (see gutter cleaning)
- Realigning gutters that hold water or overflow at the joints
Why gutters matter so much
A blocked or sagging gutter tips water over the front of the house or back into the eaves. Over a winter that saturates the brickwork, rots the fascia and rafter feet, and causes damp inside, often blamed on the roof itself. Moss falling from the slates and leaves from nearby trees are the usual causes in the leafier parts of Macclesfield, Prestbury and Bollington.
Cast iron on period houses
Many Victorian houses and most listed buildings had cast iron gutters and downpipes. In a conservation area, replacing them with plastic can change the look of the street, and on a listed building it may need consent. Cast iron can often be repaired, resealed and painted. Where it has to be replaced, cast iron or a cast aluminium copy keeps the character.
Signs your roofline needs work
- Water spilling over the gutter in heavy rain
- Green stains or damp patches on the walls below the gutter
- Peeling paint or soft, rotten wood on the fascia
- Gutters sagging or pulling away at the brackets
- Plants growing in the gutter
- Birds or wasps getting into gaps in the soffit
Guttering, fascias and soffits: questions people ask
Should I replace timber fascias with uPVC?
uPVC needs no painting and suits most modern and post-war houses. On a period property or in a conservation area, painted timber is often the better choice for the look of the building, and on a listed building it may be required.
Can you just cap over old fascias?
Capping hides the old boards rather than fixing them. If the timber behind is rotten, it carries on rotting. We prefer to remove the old boards and check the rafter ends.
How often should gutters be cleared?
Once a year suits most houses. Homes near trees, or with mossy roofs, may need it twice, typically after the leaves fall in autumn.
Can a leaking gutter joint be fixed?
Yes. Most uPVC joints leak because the seal has perished or the gutter has moved. We fit new unions or reseal and realign the run.
Tell us what is happening with your roof
Call, or send a few details and a photo if you have one. We will come back to you, arrange a visit and give you a written quote before any work starts.