Builder has capped over existing wooden soffits and fascias

tony6403

leveller2911 wrote: »

You can only tell by going up there and having a look and see if the felt/Breather membrane is in good condition and extends into the gutter. You can't see from the ground. The problem with over capping is you can't keep an eye on the condition of the timber because its behind the Upvc.

You may need to rely on the honesty of the builder if he tells you it does extend into the gutter and its in good condition. No easy answer I'm afraid

If your roof is properly covered with plain tiles (which should have a double course at the eaves) or interlocking concrete tiles then this should generally prevent moisture from getting where it shouldn't.
I lived in a house built in 1902 which had no felt at all and never had any issues arising from its absence.
Having made these comments I too wouldn't install upvc cladding as it removes the contingency to make visual checks on the condition of the wood.

jenfa

When we had ours replaced last year by a roofer he took out the old wood and my husband and he had a discussion and he put in new pressure treated wood behind the verticals (soffits rather than facias I think). This was partly because he said it gave him something to hang the new guttering on securly we now have deeper guttering so carry a lot of weight in water and because we have large overhangs due to having eaves not a normal 2 story house. He felt that our roof needed the support of the wood rather than just the plastic. He was also very careful to seal up joins etc so no water can get in.