The drip edge at both the rake and the eaves is one of the most ignored parts of a modern roofing system. If you live in a location where storms are frequent, a drip edge for your roof is a must. Professionals recommend installing a drip edge to your roof anytime it is maintained or replaced if it does not already have one.
WHAT EXACTLY IS A DRIP EDGE?
Drip edges are metal sheets erected at the roof’s edge, commonly in the shape of an “L.” They divert water away from the fascia and into the gutter, and are sometimes known as drip edge flashing or D-metal.
Roof Fascia, often known as fascia boards, is a horizontal board that runs along the underside of the roof edge. The rafter and interior structure of the roof is protected by fascia, which hangs above the building’s wall. The drip edge is a tiny metal flange that overhangs the roof’s sides and is twisted away from the fascia. It is non-corrosive and non-staining, so your roof will not only look excellent but will also be structurally sound.
Water may end up beneath the shingles if there isn’t a drip edge, causing damage to various portions of the house. Though your property may not have had a drip edge installed at the time, building rules in California today mandate drip edges to safeguard properties from damage. The margins of a roof, particularly those of irregular or steep-sloped dwellings that require the most protection, receive the most moisture. Any shingles that stretch beyond a certain point may bend and crack along the edges over time. Water can penetrate beneath the tiles without a drip edge, causing staining and deterioration of the lower roof deck region and the band under the roof edge (fascia board).
Homeowners are frequently told by some contractors that drip edge is a waste of money. Your roofing system is damaged if you have rotting fascia or decking at the eaves and rakes, and there is a simple repair that can address your problems. A drip edge, however, is an incredibly crucial element of home upkeep.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO GET A DRIP EDGE?
A drip edge will be provided in a roof installation that meets manufacturing specifications and suggestions. A drip edge should be included in every professional roof installation package, whether placing a new roof on a home or undergoing new construction.
A drip edge is required if a new roof is to maintain its structural integrity and add value to a home. Without it, a roof’s stability is jeopardized, and damage to shingles and other roof components will be evident in the years to come, lowering a home’s value.
DRIP EDGE BENEFITS
Water is directed away from the fascia by the drip edge, which prevents the fascia from decaying over time. Water droplets prefer to attach to one another and to the surfaces they are on, although minimally, due to cohesion, surface tension, and other forces. A drip edge is designed to take advantage of these forces and send water down the gutter with the help of gravity. The drip edge will prevent water from running down the fascia and onto or into the soffit cavity if the home does not have a gutter. However, without the drip edge, water adheres to the tiles, perhaps causing a leak beneath the shingles. Water may, for example, cling to the fascia, causing decay or, in severe cases, a leak inside the home.
A drip edge helps gutters drain water away from your house and foundation by preventing movement between fascia and deck boards. The drip edge also helps to extend the life of your roof and increase its overall efficiency. During heavy rains, the drip edge protects the decking’s edge from water penetration. The wind blows water around on a roof when the weather is bad. Wind-driven rain is kept off the roof deck by shingles, underlayments, and ice and water guards.
The drip edge, on the other hand, must compete with the wind on the edges. Before gravity drags the water down, the wind can easily push the water higher. The drip edge must protrude significantly from the roof’s edge, and two to four inches of the lower flange must be used to combat this. Wind-driven rain, of course, could threaten the roof if there was no drip edge at all.