Wondering What is a Drip Edge on a Roof?
A drip edge is a piece of metal flashing used to direct the flow of water away from the fascia and the roof into the gutter. A drip edge is installed at the edges of the roof. This helps protect the underlying roofing components.
Is it Necessary to Have it on Your Roof?
Yes, it’s necessary to have drip edge installed on your roof. Without the installation of drip edge flashing on your roof, water could get behind the gutter and start running down your home. This would allow for moisture to collect on the fascia board causing it to rot. Your gutters are attached to the fascia board. If the fascia board begins to rot, you’ll begin to experience issues with gutter performance.
Below are four different examples of how to install drip edge along the fascia to protect your home.
When Did a Drip Edge Become Code?
The Virginia Construction Code stated in 2015, “A drip edge shall be provided at eaves and rake edges of shingle roofs.”
Now the VUSBC (Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code) does not require drip edge unless the shingle manufacturer requires it. According to Owen’s Corning Roofer’s Guide to Installation, “2012 International Residential Code (IRC) requires drip edge at the eaves and rake edge of the roof. The IRC has required drip edge since the 2009 edition”.
In short, Owen’s Corning requires it.
Do You Need a Drip Edge for a Metal Roof?
Yes, a drip edge is needed for a metal roof. Short and simple.
There are resources on google that will say it’s not as long as the metal roof is installed at a slant and extends one inch past the fascia but that is false information. According to the IRC, a drip edge is for both asphalt and metal roofs.
5 Benefits of a Drip Edge on a Roof
- Helps prevent ice damming damage to roof decking
- Covers gaps along the facia and roof decking
- Helps prevent fascia and soffit rotting
- Protects your foundation by diverting the flow of water into the gutter
- Helps prevent moisture from climbing up your roof
Make sure you have drip edge!
As reliable roofing contractors, we install our roofs to manufacturer guidelines and we don’t skimp out on the details. If you’re looking to get your roof replaced, make sure that your roof comes with drip edge and that it’s installed properly along the eaves and rakes of your roof.
How To Install Roofing Drip Edge
Here’s how to install a drip edge on a roof. In this video, Sean walks us through an 8 step installation process of installing a drip edge along the eave on this sample roof.
Part 1
Part 2
1) Beginning of drip edge installation
Alright, we're gonna start with the eave.We're gonna apply this drip edge.What you're gonna wanna do, because this roof is a 12-12it's going to sit over the fascia.Because what'll happen if we go up too far this drip edge will buckleand then the shingles will lift up on the edge.
2) Where to start
What we're gonna do, we're gonna find where the complete nailer, top of the drip edge, sits flush to the roof deck.From right there we're going to go ahead and put a nail in it.
3) First nail
Just to hold this piece for now.I usually go flush with the edge.The nail should go approximately two to three inches above the fascia.Start by having that one just hold it.
4) Additional nails
Gonna come down here, line this one up.See how it's good and flush with the surface?And then what we're gonna wanna do is, put a nail every eight to ten inches all the way down all the drip edge on the eave.So we'll go ahead and do that, and then we'll move on to the smaller piece.
5) Smaller piece with lap
Next, we're gonna move on to the lap. Sometimes you need to look out for this. When you install drip edge it should be a minimum two-inch lap.
6) Consider the driveway
Sometimes you need to take into account which way you're gonna lap this drip edge. If the driveway is behind me, and the dead end, the end of the driveway, is over there, usually, you want to lap your drip edge away from the driveway, that way you don't see the laps. This is especially important with snaplock or screw down because the drip edge itself is more prominent, you can see it. With shingle drip edge, it's less prominent So I'm not too worried about it.
7) Properly install the lap
So this piece right here is about two foot. I'm gonna go ahead and lap this two inches. I'm gonna come down here and make a small mark on where it stops. I'll go ahead and square this off. And I'm gonna cut it to size. Alright. And the same thing again, make sure you have your two-inch lap. Take your finger, put it on the edge down here as a stopper. Make sure you have that good and tight down here. Nice lap. Go ahead and place a fastener in it.
8) Time to nail down
And you'll come down here and straighten out this piece. Make sure it's not buckled, Make sure it's laying flush to the roof deck. Do the same thing again. And like I say, we're gonna nail this every eight to ten inches. I'm gonna go ahead and do two more, just because, it looks like it's a little bigger than eight to ten.
Contact The Experts at Cenvar Roofing Near You
If you are in need of a Virginia roofing contractor in the area, Cenvar Roofing would love to serve you! We are a professional roofing company with branches throughout central Virginia. Visit our website to schedule a free estimate today, and one of our team members will be in touch with you soon.
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