*
My house is “finished” with the rafters extending about 2′ beyond the wall. The rafters are 2×6 and the ends are cut at an angle so the fascia is vertical. The fascia is simply a 2×8 nailed onto the ends of the rafters. At the ends of the roof, the last rafter is flush with the edge and serves as all the trim there is.
The problem is that one corner has come open (after 30 yrs). That is the 2×8 fascia is no longer tight up against the rafter end. The gap is about 1/2″.
How to repair? Since the whole underside is visible since it is over the carport, the appearance of any repair is of some concern. My guess is that the end grain of the last rafter has seen enough water over the years that it won’t work to simply add a nail or two.
Suggestions please.
Replies
*
If the wood is still solid, I'll float one option...
Take a wood chisel and cleanly drive it into the end grain of the facia, about 1/4 inch or so from the face side of the facia. Use the chisel to gently bend back or split of a portion of the face of the facia. The idea is to create a "flap" of wood that will later cover the heads of the fasteners. Drill a couple of pilot holes for screws in the section where you bent or broke off that bit of wood. Now align the facia and rafter, apply some epoxy (optional) and drive a couple of screws through the facia into the end grain of the rafter. When all is snug and tight, epoxy the piece you broke off or bent back where it belongs. It should blend fairly well.
With old wood this may not be as easy, as the wood will probably be a bit brittle. If there is water damage and the wood is punky or soft, it probably won't work at all. It's a technique used more commonly in furniture making to hide nailheads, but It could, and I emphasize could be an option for you in this application. Tough to tell though, without seeing the wood up close and personal.
I'm assuming this is not painted and it is natural/stained? If paint grade, clean to good wood, epoxy, align, pilot holes, screw, fill the heads with an exterior filler, and reprime and paint.
*1/2".......hell caulk and paint it thats what these jake legs around here do....i beleive the large side of a caulking tube is about 1/2"