(317) 864-6193The flat underside of your roof is called a soffit. It comes from the Latin word “suffixus” meaning fixed underneath – an appropriate description of where soffit is normally located on your home. Often not discussed enough, the roof soffit plays a vital role in protecting your property.
Location
Soffit is the material between the roof’s eaves, where the gutters and fascia are attached to the wall. To find it, simply stand outside your front door, and glance up. The flat section that veers out from the façade of your home would be the soffit. If your house has a roof that does not overhang, you do not have an exterior soffit.
Importance
Soffit serves as a passive ventilation system for your attic. It fends off warm moisture in the outside air from trickling into the attic space, condensing and spurring mold and mildew growth. Soffit outlining the roofline allows for unrestricted airflow and is one of the most essential ways to ventilate an attic, keeping emergency roof repair needs at bay. Moreover, the soffit helps keep pests from slipping into your home through gutters and the roofline.
Maintenance
Like other parts of your roofing system, soffit needs to be cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. This will help prolong the life of the component, including its material and coating, so it can function well and provide protection to your home for many years to come. Here are some tips:
- Keep gutters clean and free of leaves, twigs and other debris.
- Keep your soffit well-sealed and caulked all year round.
- Safely remove bees, hornets and wasp nests from the soffit.
- Make sure your attic fan is in good condition and cleaned.
- Remove mildew from the material using a soft brush and a mixture of bleach and water.
Need a hand with cleaning and maintenance of your roof soffit? Rojas Roofing – a premier source of roofing and siding installation solutions in Noblesville, IN – is here to help you. Our staff is committed to providing the highest quality of products and services to ensure a safe and comfortable home for our customers. Call us today at (317) 864-6193, or fill out our contact form to request an appointment.