Why Is My Fascia or Soffit Rotting?

If you’ve noticed peeling paint, soft wood, or dark streaks near your roofline, your fascia or soffit may already be starting to rot. In Tampa Bay’s humid weather and frequent storms, it doesn’t take much — even a small gutter leak can let moisture creep in.

At CR Gutters, Inc.™, we see this often. It usually starts small — a loose gutter or a bit of overflow after heavy rain. That water seeps behind the gutter, soaking into the wood until it softens and starts to rot. By the time you spot bubbling paint or soft spots, the damage has been building for a while. The good news? It’s easy to stop when caught early.

Quick Answer

Leaky gutters let water slip behind them instead of draining away, soaking into the wood trim around your roof. In Florida’s heat and humidity, that moisture never fully dries — it just lingers, slowly eating away at the fascia and soffit after every storm until the wood begins to soften and crumble.

Why It Happens So Often in Tampa Bay

Life near the coast means sunshine, salty air, and plenty of storms — great for beach days, not so great for your home’s trim. Salt in the air speeds up rust on metal brackets and screws, loosening the gutters over time. Once they shift, even slightly, rainwater starts finding new paths — and usually, those paths lead straight behind the gutters.

Many homeowners don’t realize anything’s wrong until paint starts peeling or small gaps appear near the roofline — by then, the wood underneath is already compromised.

Try This

• Check your gutters for any sagging, leaks, or spots pulling away from the roof.
• Replace soft or cracked boards as soon as you find them — waiting only lets the rot spread.
• Seal seams and corners with quality waterproof sealant to keep leaks out.
• Repaint exposed trim using durable, weather-resistant exterior paint.
• Add drip edge flashing to guide rainwater safely away from your fascia and soffit.
• Have CR Gutters, Inc.™ inspect your system — we’ll make sure it’s draining properly before the next storm.

Stop Signs

You don’t need to climb a ladder to spot trouble. If the wood along your roof feels soft, if paint bubbles or flakes easily, or if you see dark stains forming under the gutters, rot may already be setting in. A faint musty smell after a heavy rain or bits of wood dust around the base of your home can also be clues. These little signs are your home’s way of saying, “Hey, water’s getting in where it shouldn’t.”

Typical Cost

Fascia and soffit repair: $600–$1,500. Light damage usually means swapping out a few boards and resealing the area. If rot has spread, though, it can involve replacing entire sections of trim and rehanging the gutters. The sooner you fix it, the smaller the bill — and the less likely you’ll face more serious roof repairs later.

Rot doesn’t stop on its own. Every storm, every bit of dripping water, makes it worse. That’s why catching it early is key. Call CR Gutters, Inc.™ at (941) 367-2727 to schedule a professional inspection. A simple checkup now can save your roofline from major damage later — and help your home stay strong and beautiful through every Tampa Bay storm.