Why drip edge

Prior to installation, the roofing material is fastened tightly with glue to the outside edge. Cut Lengths: Use a metal snip to divide the portions of the drip edge in accordance with your measurements. With the first section, place the strip toward the edge of the fascia at the point where the titled border reaches the parallel side. It is best to install a drip edge on a day with warm weather because it makes it easier for the shingles to be stripped back.

Begin at the lower corner of the roof and gradually progress to the top. Raise the shingles and push the top rim of your drip edge beneath them. Tack the end into position with the roofing nails and press the nail within the drip edge and into the roof covering. But do not push it through the fascia. Arrange the shingles back into position as you continue along. As you get to the end of a piece, begin the following division with lap joint.

To produce this, overlay the ends of a drip edge with the upper end above the lower edge to cause flowing water to go over the joint rather than veer underneath it. If there is a gap resulting from an unsuccessful overlay, it may result in water flowing behind the edge instead of into the gutter. This is known as back flowing gutters, which can cause water damage to your home and roof system.

If you run into issues with the overlap and need to resolve the gap, review the following tips:. When you choose a reliable roofing contractor, you can feel confident that you are getting the work done right the first time. Here at Mr. Roof , we want you to feel confident that you are in good hands, so we offer one of the best warranties in the industry.

Sign up today, to get a free estimate! Pay My Bill. Louisville, KY. Ann Arbor, MI. Drip edges have two key purposes: Direct water away from fascia: Due to cohesion, surface tension and other forces, water droplets tend to stick to one another and to the surfaces they are on, albeit slightly. A drip edge is designed to take advantage of those forces and, along with gravity, direct water into the gutter.

If the home has no gutter, the drip edge will prevent the water from running down the fascia and onto or into the soffit cavity. However, without the drip edge, the water sticks to shingles, potentially working its way under the shingles to cause a leak.

For example, water may cling to the fascia, which may cause rot, or, in severe conditions, a leak into the home. Protect from wind-driven rain: When conditions are serious, the wind pushes water around on a roof. However, on the edges, the drip edge must compete with the wind. Wind can easily push the water upwards before gravity pulls the water down.

The drip edge needs to hang significantly off the edge of the roof and has two to four inches of lower flange to combat this. Drip Edge Material Types Drip edges are made of various plastics and metals, which are both acceptable under most building codes so long as the metals are corrosion-resistant or galvanized.

Galvanized steel: Drip edges are designed to be in contact with water; so, if they are made of steel, they need to be galvanized to prevent rust. Minimum gauge steel is preferable so that the drip edge can withstand strong winds. Copper: Copper is a sturdy metal that gives a roof a unique look. When used as a drip edge, it should be a minimum of 0. Drip Edge Profile Types There are three basic profiles of drip edge flashing, but each goes by more than one name, which can be confusing.

However, Type C is still acceptable according to most building codes. Type F: This is an extended drip edge that has a longer leading edge, which is useful when installing new drip edges over existing shingles or on rake edges.

Step One: If using a Type C drip edge, you can install a furring strip to increase its performance. Step Two: Install drip edges on the eaves first. Place the drip edge down, aligning it so water will drip into the gutters. The end with the flange or flare should point down and away from the roof. Nail high up on the drip edge so that the shingles will cover the nails.

When you place the next drip edge piece, it should overlap the first by an inch. Step Four: When you reach a corner where an eave and rake edge meet, you need to make a cut to ensure a proper fit.

First, place your drip edge on the rake edge. Drip edge should always be cut with as few seams as possible to give a cleaner more seamless look. Advanced roofing contractors will start with the drip edge on the far side of the house from the main point of view so that when each continuous piece overlaps the piece before it, you won't see the seams from the driveway or entryway to the house.

We will usually remove a one inch drip edge and replace it with a one and a half inch piece. We do this is because the sun usually leaves a stain or the wind will leave a dirt mark under the current drip edge and by adding a half inch of coverage it will hide the not so fresh soffit board. This practice also helps with aging fascia. Many times, fascia aluminum will be falling off the roof but once we put a wider faced drip edge it is held into place.

The drip edges main function on the eaves is to help the water drip over the roof, away from the facia and into the gutters. The metal flashing has a small metal flange that wicks water back to make a drip around the flange and into the gutter where it can be diverted away from the roof.

If the gutter rides up high along the roofs eave then the drip edge should be notched out at all gutter hangers to allow the the drip edge to form a tight bond with the roofing system and gutter. In areas north of Albany you will see a Saratoga roofing contractor installing a lot of brown drip edge to match with brown or wood trim.

Albany roofing companies generally install more white drip edge. Most Albany roofing companies that are familiar with commercial roofing are used to using drip edge that is color match to the gutter systems.

Commercial roofing usually uses a thicker gauge of metal that is already being custom bent so it can be ordered in any color metal coil. Call To Book Estimate. Learn all you need to know when it comes to the shingles on your roof.