jim lyon Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Hi! I've got a 70+ year old 2 bedroom semi, ex council house. The soffits are not only looking decidely scruffy but are starting to leak. While I admit to knowing damn all about them, I've been led to believe that, if ignored for too long, then eventually they will cause more serious problems in the roof. I also know that national based companies are only too happy to quote silly prices for replacing them. Which leads me to wonder, why do I need soffits @ all? As far as I can see, they're purely decorative & don't actually do anything. Not only that, many houses don't even have them ! - So, is there any good reason that I shouldn't simply havev them removed? Probably I'd need to have the timber in the eaves checked out & protected with a sealant, & possibly even the drainage pipes replaced. If so, does anybody have a realistic idea of the costs I'm looking @? And can you recommend a reliable, value for money local building firm to do the job? Cheers, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjplumbers Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 hi jim.im ben from bj plumbing&heating(we cover all trades)we could come and give you a free quote and any advice on the work you need doing.we are based at ecclesfield,sheffield 01142460139/07967282839 email bjplumbers@hotmail.com.thanks for reading and good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodc Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 hi The short answer to your question -do you really need soffits ? Is -Depends!! -mainly on the type of construction of your roof and especially the detailing of the eaves and verges-there are generally 3 types of eaves flush eaves -where the rafters are cut flush with the exterior walls-these just have a horizontal facia board nailed to them to carry the guttering and to protect the ends of the rafters. The next is open eaves where the exposed rafter ends are projected beyond the house walls and the guttering brackets are attached to either the top side of the rafters or the side before the roof is tiled-leaves the end of the rafters exposed to the elements and because of the regular maintenance costs and the degree of difficulty in actual repairs to the truss ,is the least prefered method. The last method is the closed eaves, where the the projecting rafters are cladded wtih a soffit and facia to protect the exposed rafters and to carry the gutter-this method also helps keep water from the exterior walls and helps reduce water ingress. after all that rambling I hope that helps !! Chris Wood -property maintenance specialists Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricgem2002 Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 hiya if you like i can come out and give you a quote also give mea ring on 07838180080 thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan2802 Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Agree with Chris, all depends on your roof type. If you have had soffits for 70+ years then you probably need them!!! I can provide you with a free, no obligation quote but if your in any rush to get thing sorted, i'm not your man (sorry). I'd be looking at March/April at the earliest to get the work carried out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hank#1 Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 you say your soffits are leaking?? i've never come across a leaking soffit??unless the roof is leaking and going through the soffit, you say the existing soffits are 70years old. this means they are most probably asbestos.it usually is a low grade asbestos,but still needs to be removed through the right channels. as for price to have them replaced,you have to bear in mind asbestos removal,condition of existing facias,eaves,etc...probably looking between £500 and £1000 depending Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodc Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 soffits of 70 years old are not necessarly asbestos-more likely to be wood-which was a far more common building material and far cheaper-the gutter in this case probably sits on the soffit as that was a 1930's trend in design and the down pipe would be cut through the soffit -examples of which can be seen all over sheffield chris wood -Hnc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hank#1 Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 the gutter in this case probably sits on the soffit as that was a 1930's trend in design and the down pipe would be cut through the soffit -examples of which can be seen all over sheffield i'm confused now on how the gutter sits on the soffit??as i have never come across this is their any chance you can post a pic?? as far as i'm aware you can't fit gutters to soffit,as the soffit is the underside of the facia/bargeboard as shown in the illustration.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodc Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 Agree Hank Just read my post back- the design I described -the gutter does not not sit on the soffit -my error -it actually attaches to the trusses via metal strapping brackets -the facia is then constructed on a vertical plane in line with the edge of the gutter and the soffit is attached accordingly the down pipe is cut through the soffit and with and elbow joint runs neatly down the wall --the gutter and down pipe are usually metal ( cast iron) -alot of council houses are like this-hope this clears it up- cant post pics as my Hnc is in building construction-when it comes to IT Im a pure novice- open to instruction though!!!! Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsmith2009 Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 hi i could come and give you some free advice i,m a joiner, i do fair quotes my number is 07861379796 or 2203563 ta jeff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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