Eavestroughs are the drainage system of a roof and when not properly installed, can lead to water damage in your home. A professionally designed eavestrough and downspout system is critical in protecting your house from standing water which can soak into the foundation, lead to structural damage, and contribute to poor air quality. The eavestrough carries rainwater or melted snow from the roof and drains it away from your house.
The soffit is the surface of the roof that is under the eavestrough. Oftentimes, the soffit is constructed of wood or aluminum and can be either solid or perforated. The soffit is also the area where the ventilation for your roof comes from, so it is essential that it be properly sized and installed. If your soffit is leaking, or the attic is hot or humid, it is likely due to inadequate ventilation. A well-designed soffit is the key to a healthy attic and prevents moisture, mold, and mildew in the attic.
If your home is in need of soffit replacement Vaughan eavestrough, the first step is to thoroughly inspect the existing soffit and fascia boards. It is important to replace any damaged or rotten fascia board before installing the new soffit. This will ensure that the new soffit is securely attached to a sound base.
Next, you will need to prepare the work site by removing any existing downspouts and soffit vents that are in place. Clean the area by sweeping and removing any debris. If needed, trim back trees and shrubs that are in the way of accessing the eaves.
Open soffit installation begins with the proper receiving channels which can be either F-channel or J-channel (see Figures 64 through 67). Nail the channel to the wall at each stud and leave 1/4″ for expansion. If the soffit will turn a corner, mark the corner and cut the channel so that it is 1″ shorter than the fascia-to-wall measurement.
Once the soffit is secured, install the soffit panel. Depending on the size of your roof and attic, you may need to install multiple soffit panels. If you are building a gable at the peak of the gable, you can attach two J-channels back to back and use a field brake to bend them to match the angle of the gable.
Once the soffit is in place, it will be time to install your downpipe and outlets. Using your sketch, mark down where the outlet will be located on the wall and on the eavestrough. Mark down how many downpipes and elbows are needed, as well as how long the eavestrough will be to determine the number of pipe straps required. It is recommended to have hangers installed every 24″ on steel eavestrough, and 16″ in areas that receive heavy snow. Finally, install the soffit end cap and soffit vents as required.