J-Channel At Soffit

I looked at a repair job where the last piece of siding that attaches underneath the J-Channel is falling off (several spots). It appears that the installer used 5/8" J-channel with two layers of fan fold as a backer to hold the cut siding under the J-channel. It lasted longer than the waranty

Question
Is that a common method? Should they have used a utility trim instead? For a fix, can a utilty trim be used under the J-channel to solve the problem? The siding edges have already been snap-locked.

Thanks
Kevin

He should have used finish trim and used a snaplock punch (see picture below) to punch tabs into the panel about every 12 inches. Then when you insert the panel into the finish trim it locks into the finish trim. I usually install the 5/8" J channel and then the finish trim inside of that. That way you have the J channel all the way around the house

sometimes if the top of your siding falls to close to a lap it won't fit into the sill trim properly.If that was the case j channel would be one option.Personally on top row I prefer only sill trim with no j channel.If properly snap locked,it will stay put!

Because I sometimes have to remove a top piece of siding to drill through the top plate of a wall to run wires, I've seen probably a half dozen methods. The ones mentioned are among the most popular. I've often even seen a few aluminium trim nails snuck into that top piece of siding, slightly under the edge of the J. That methods always "waves" the top piece of siding.

j- channel with utility trim or they also make a double j-channel/ utility trim all in one deal. pop those tabs in with that tool above and you should be good to go. for some extra insurance you can put some caulk along the inside edge of where the siding locks into place on the bottom of last peice of siding. does that make sense? sorry its late and the proper termanology isn't flowing out my fingers.

fan foam as a shim sounds pretty hack-like to me.

I've seen it all.... I'd cut em some slack if it was dutchlap thats a pain to terminate and have it look nice if you cant align your courses perfectly

Finish trim with the snaps shown by RS.

If I were to approach this repair I would loose the top piece of siding all around, remove the existing trim and install the F trim or I would go home.

All depends on the job and what you have to work with. I wish I could say every job comes out so the top piece is perfect, but we all know that does'nt happen. Different methods I have used:

most common- utility trim tucked up inside J channel and using snap lock pliers to notch every 12"

other times when finishing a job on the weekend and siding place is'nt open and measurement falls too close to bevel I will double up utility trim under itself so it's stacked 2 tall like bricks...this brings it down enough so you can typically get below the siding bevel

going off above example when siding store is open, I will go straight back and buy the amount of D-5 siding I need to finish the top row...you gain that extra inch which always seems to be enough to get a nice last panel is most cases.

A great way to make sure the top section NEVER comes out-I've been on a few jobs where piece was either too short to fit fully inside utility trim to engage snap lock and lip and wind caught it.....run a little bit of silicone or caulk inside the locking lip of that piece..push it up into place. The snap lock holds it and the silicone will dry and REALLY hold it LOL!!!

Dow board can be used under windows to help build out/furr out when installed J channel and the existing wood siding has a small bevel where the nailing hem part falls....if you dont the side pieces wont line up and/or the bottom J will have a bow in it.

I normally cut my last course of siding down to size then place my soffit J channel on top of my siding and srew 2 1/2 inch exterior screws through the J into the siding every two feet. If done right you should see no gaps between the J and siding. Dont worry about waves if any there usually barely noticeable. (I prefer alumminum soffit J because thier is less expansion & contraction and its easier to get a straight look) I dont care what the manufacturers say i dont like double J or under sill trim i think it looks dumb and amateurish.On gables the last traingular piece ill use alot of clear silicone on the inside of the lock,(silicone not caulk because caulk drys and cracks) once it drys its not going anywhere. But to answer your question see if you can slip that last course siding behind the soffit J and use a 2 1/2 inch screw to secure it 4 screws to a twelve foot panel will do. Getting the screws in shouldn't be a problem if the soffit is triple 4.

I do the same thing, but never with vinyl siding, it works great with steel. Apparently you are not from Minnesota, with the temperature changes, vinyl siding expands and contracts so much there is now possible way I would believe you on this one, unless you never have gone back and looked at any of your jobs a year later, I would believe it does look good at the time it is put up. I solve this problem by never installing vinyl, steel is made to last a lifetime, vinyl is just a temporary band aid in our climate.

Woow, for someone who "NEVER INSTALLS VINYL" you come off like Minnnesota's leading authority on vinyl siding. LoL. Just kiddin. No complaints or call backs here. Anyway I have alot of respect for steel installers or old school alumineers, you need much skill and much patients to install that stuff. Looks good but theres not much room for company expansion there especially if your workin with a franchise like ABC SEAMLESS. Its hard enough finding capable installers for vinyl i can just imagine steel.

I have seen alot of ways to secure the top coarse, most of them wrong. There is a company that supplies the only proper, use it any place in the coarse and won't void the warranty or bind the coarse.That company is Securing Devices Inc. in Texas,800 962 2951, the fastener is called perma cip and it installs on the coarse before the last and is fool-proof. Look into it you will not be disappointed.