How to Seal a Soffit

Soffit is a material found on the outside of your house. It is located directly under the eave of the roof at the top of each side. Soffit allows air to circulate in and out of the attic through the rafters and is available in both aluminium or vinyl. One important aspect of any home is making sure it is sealed and secure. After soffit is installed, it is important to properly seal it from the many outdoor elements it can come across. Sealing your soffit only takes a few minutes, but can go a long way toward protecting your home.

Place a tube of exterior silicone sealant into a caulk gun and lock it into place. Cut off the tip of the nozzle at a slight upward angle with a utility knife to open the tube. Position a ladder at any end of the house underneath the soffit and climb the ladder up to the soffit.

Position the caulk gun at the corner of the soffit where it meets the back of the house. Pull the trigger on the tube and run a thin bead of silicone sealant along the gap between the soffit and the house. Move the ladder around the house when necessary and run a continuous bead down the back side of the soffit against the house.

Run a bead of caulk back along the house on the exterior between the soffit and the edge of the front of the house. Repeat the process for all sides of the house until the soffit is sealed on all sides.

Go to the attic on the inside of the house and caulk around the rafters above the soffit location. Run a continuous bead around all of the rafters just like the exterior of the house. Wait for all of the sealant to dry and inspect the area. Verify there are no gaps or cracks and it is properly sealed.

Inspect the outside of the house and verify everything is properly sealed also.