Fascia boards at the end of roof rafters take a beating. Wind, sun, rain, and ice deteriorate the wood over time. Eventually, you may need to replace the boards. Learning how to replace a fascia board behind a gutter will be easier if you have a partner to help. When selecting your replacement boards, choose lumber treated for outdoor exposure, such as treated spruce, pine, or cedar.

How to Replace Fascia Board Behind Gutter Steps

1. Position your ladder so that it is stable and put on your safety glasses.
2. Start removing the gutter by using an electric screwdriver to take the gutter screws out of the fascia board.
3. Next, unscrew the gutter brackets.
4. Have a partner help you lift away the gutters so that the troughs do not get bent.
5. Set gutter pieces and hardware aside.
6. Use a pencil or marker to mark the fascia boards every 3 feet between the rafters.
   1. The nails on the old fascia boards reveal the location of the rafters.
7. Lift the reciprocating saw to the fascia and make vertical cuts at your marks.
8. After completing the cuts, pound the fascia boards from behind with a hammer.
9. You may need a pry bar at times as you pull off the old boards.
10. Once old boards are off, fit a metal cutting blade onto the reciprocating saw.
11. Saw off old nails until you attain a flat surface for attaching the new boards.
12. Do not drive old nails in because they could penetrate the roof decking.
13. Measure the length needed for new fascia boards.
14. Set up your saw horses and lay the new lumber across the boards for cutting.
15. Cut the boards to desired lengths with a circular saw.
16. Now miter the ends of the boards at 45-degree angles so that they will fit together snugly. (If you don’t have a miter saw, angle the circular saw to achieve the 45-degree cuts.)
17. Before attaching the boards, climb up to the rafters and mark their locations on the roof or drip edge. This makes them easier to find as you drive nails.
18. Working with a partner, lift your first board into place.
19. Position ends of boards close to rafters so that they will be nailed firmly and ends cannot bow out.
20. Drive one or two 2-inch nails at each rafter to secure the board.
21. You can wrap up the steps for learning how to replace a fascia board behind a gutter by sealing the seams.
22. Mix a product called body filler with water and spread it on seams with a putty knife.
    1. Mix small batches because the product dries quickly.
23. Spread filler smoothly across seams two or three times.
24. Additionally, spread filler over nail heads.
25. Wait at least a day before applying primer to the new fascia boards.
26. Paint on one or two coats of primer and then your final color.
27. Re-install your gutters.