[Kimber213]

I have a problem with the facia that was installed on my newer composite deck. Originally it looked great, 12" brown composite boards covering the perimeter construction looked clean and neat. Two or three years later, and now the boards are warping and dirt is gathering in the gap between the end of the deck and where it meets the facia. I am afraid this is going to lead to eventual rotting of the structure. Most pictures I see show the deck boards overlapping the facia, but my contractor instead cut the boards at the end of the structure and capped the ends with the facia. The facia boards are now warped and the screws are popping out all over.
I am really nervous about the buildup of dirt, dog hair, and leaves that gathers in this gap. Considering the boards looked great before, but look like heck now, I don't think I want to try it the same way again. I cosidered using 1" blocks between the structure and the facia. I thought this might give a clean look from the outskirts, but allow the junk to slip through. I would love some feedback, is this a good or bad idea, and if bad, can you give me another option? I don't mind the pressure treated look, but the metal pieces look bad and I really like the capped appearence.
Thank you in advance for any help.

 

[de-nagorg]

2 dissimilar materials are going to expand and or contract in temperature changes at different speeds and distances.

Ideally they should have expansion slots to allow them to move independently , Try loosening each screw a bit and allow them to move a little to see if some of the gap disappears.

If so remove each screw one at a time, and use a larger drill bit to enlarge the hole in the fascia only, and reinsert the screws with a flat washer under the head, so the materials can flex independent from each other.

Do this to every screw and it should relieve the tension.



ED

 

[gregzoll]

How is the fascia new, when you state that it is two to three years old. Yes dirt will get anywhere that it can get into on decks. You need to power wash the deck every year and then fix any trouble spots or bad fasteners on it.

There is no "Structure" to fail. What fails is the lumber if it is not pressure treated. Pressure treated Lumber will last for years, if properly maintained.

 

[carpdad]

Synthetic decking is not self washing. Rain can be used but you need wider drainage spacing and that is impractical for a deck.
It is a mixture of wood fiber and plastic. It is delusional to think it is never going to get wet. Plastic makes it much more pliable. As such, your facia needed more screws and a drain space.
Narrower facia material is better.

 

[joecaption]

I understand why they installed it that way, to cover up the ends of the boards but as you've seen it forms a sort of a dam to trap water and trash between the fachia, the rim joist and the ends of the boards which at some point your right it's going to damage the pressure treated and may also effect the decking.
Loosing the screws as suggested is not going to do a thing to fix it.
Adding more screws at this point without removing what's there now, cleaning off the rim and back side of the facia and letting them rim dry out, is a bad idea
Post a picture of the deck, and let us in on what brand and style of decking they used, I may have a suggestion or two to fix it.
Most any composite I've install has cleaning instrutions on there website, warning against pressure washing. Done wrong it's trashed
A better way to have laid the decking would have been something like this, so the ends of the boards are still covered but it also covers up that trouble area.
https://www.google.com/search?q=dec...IMKHVoaBuMQsAQIGw&dpr=1#imgrc=qa0u9i01NL6f0M:

 

[TheDeckBarn.com]

it should be screwed 18" oc

 

[ChuckF.]

Had I done that, I would have spaced the fascia away from the ends of the deck boards, the same distance that was between the deck boards. That would look nice from above. Use triangles of PVC or cedar for the spacers like you would use to space the main ledger away from the house.