Your roof system has one purpose, to keep your home dry and safe. A drip edge is a component of your system that is purpose-built to whisk water away from your home while providing stability and security.
There is a reason that drip edge is a required product for roofing warranties. Additionally, it is required for new roof installations in certain markets. It’s an inexpensive and effective way to move water.
What is Drip Edge?
A drip edge is a metal flashing that rests under your shingles. It is made from aluminum, galvanized steel, or copper. These materials stand up to water and are rust-resistant. This strip of metal has a slight flange that is meant to direct water away from the fascia and into your gutters. You likely have drip edge installed and don’t even know it.
Where is Drip Edge Installed?
It typically goes around the entire perimeter of your home and resides over the fascia board and underneath the starter shingles. Additionally, you will typically find it installed on the rakes and eaves of your home.
Why Do I Need Drip Edge?
The design of the drip edge is simple yet incredibly effective. This effectiveness is why Shanco installs drip edge on every new roof installation.
We put it on our roofs because the drip edge acts as a shield to prevent your eaves from getting wet. If your gutters back up, it stops the entry of water into the eaves and prevents the early rot of your fascia board.
In addition, it acts as a barrier to stop insects or small animals from accessing your eaves/ attic.
What Benefits Does Drip Edge Provide?
Drip edge is a great fit for a roofing system. With any roofing system, all parts need to work in unison to keep your home safe and dry. Much like many other parts of your roof, drip edge has a very specific role and provides many benefits.
Homes with drip edge
Have a layer of protection to stop water from backing up into the eaves
Wind-driven rain is blocked and prevents rain from pushing into small cracks
Directs water into your gutter system
Acts as an extra layer of support for the base of the shingles
Reduces the chances for ice dams to form by blocking the ice from getting under the first layer of shingles
Homes without drip edge
Water can get behind the gutters
The water behind your gutters can create rot in the fascia board and roof decking problems
Roof decking damage can lead to early roof failure
Your roof warranty may be voided as drip edge is a critical component of your roof system
Heavy, wind-driven rains can get into the exposed edges of your home
The Top-Rated Roofing Company, Shanco, Can Help With Your Roof
Shanco helps homeowners in the Washington DC metropolitan area, NOVA, and Richmond VA with their roofing questions. We've earned numerous industry accolades from Anti and Roofing Contractor Magazine. If you are looking for roof repair or roof replacement, please contact us for a free roof estimate.
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