Soffits and Roof Ventilation
Soffits Running Horizontally:
Keeping soffits in place can also help keep water out of the house. In general, solid soffits made of plywood or other solid panel materials have not been as great a problem as light weight vinyl or aluminum soffits. About 75 percent of houses with aluminum and vinyl soffit that were impacted by the highest winds of the 2004 hurricanes, lost soffit material along the eaves. This resulted in water getting into homes.
Properly installed soffits should stay in place under most conditions. However, it is difficult to determine whether they have been installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations with enough appropriate fasteners. Some have wood supports but the soffit material is not adequately fastened to the wood. Often no wood backing is installed and the vinyl or aluminum channels are inadequately stapled or nailed to the wall.
Soffit damage was widespread – this photo shows both fascia cover and wall track damage.
Vinyl and aluminum soffit panels can be pulled down or pushed up by wind pressures and they can pop out if they bend too much. If the trim at the wall rotates or breaks loose retrofit is necessary. This can be accomplished with the application of a suitable caulking material and the installation of screws. The goal is to tie the soffit parts together so they act as a unit to limit one weak part from starting a general failure. Caulk/sealant acts as an adhesive to hold the parts together. Urethane sealant has the adhesive qualities needed to tie parts together plus it is available in a variety of colors.