What Is The Difference Between The Roof Edge And Drip Edge?

What Is The Difference Between The Roof Edge And Drip Edge?

What Is The Difference Between The Roof Edge And Drip Edge?

The roof edge, or eave (if you live in the Southern US), is the outside edge of your roof. Some people think that this is also a place for water to collect and cause problems.

A drip edge, on the hand, is a metal piece installed at the roof’s edge to control water from dripping onto your fascia and siding or trim. It works with gutters to channel water away from your home.

Because of this confusion between what is considered the “roof edge” and “drip edge,” some people put a gutter apron at the very front of their roofs at the very top of their fascia board or eave board, believing that this will take care of all problems with water.

This, of course, is not the case. It will only keep water from dripping onto the fascia board and siding.

This leads to other problems that you might experience with a gutter apron. Water from your roof will typically go down under the gutter apron and all of your fascia and drip edge.

These small leaks can “cook off” and cause even worse damage to your shed’s fascia if you don’t clean them up properly or patch them with an adhesive sealant, like 3M 5200 or Sikaflex membrane tape.

How Much Should A Metal Roof Overhang The Drip Edge?

The metal roof should typically overhang the drip edge by 1.5 to 2 inches. This is due to the overhang preventing water from rolling around the edge or creeping down the bottom of the metal utilizing surface tension.

It also helps to channel water away from it and around the edges and limits the amount of water that can pool on the roof.

Keep in mind that wood is not an effective option for overhangs when shedding water. Even though wood will absorb moisture, it will not be as waterproof as a metal roof for your shed.

The overhang also helps protect homeowners from debris flying off the roof, which is made from a much heavier material than wood and would cause more damage if it hit someone.

How Do I Know If My Roof Has A Drip Edge?

To find out if your roof has a drip edge, look at the water coming down off of your roof. Remember that a drip edge is designed to channel water away from windows and doors and towards the gutters at the base of your shed’s walls.

If you see water flowing down off the top of your shed or if you have any leaks in your fascia board or eave, then you need a drip edge.

If you wish to address leaky gutters, check with one of our professional estimators on how to improve them. Dishwasher Backwash is also an important step to prevent the backflow of water into the house plumbing system.

Can You Paint The Roof Drip Edge?

Yes, you can paint the drip edge to match your roof color. Painting your drip edge does two things. First and foremost, painting and priming a drip edge will seal the drip edge against moisture damage.

The primer will put down a sealing base, complementing a water-resistant, exterior-approved paint, resulting in a waterproof barrier. It will also make the drip edge more visible on your roof and give your roof a professional look to help it last even longer.

Do You Need A Drip Edge With A Rubber Roof?

A roof requires enough EPDM membrane to entirely cover it and a substantial overhang for the nearby walls and roof edge.

Install the drip batten and back trim at the roof’s edge at this step to funnel rainfall over the gutter rather than into the building. Even if your roof is rubber and granular, you still need a drip edge to ensure proper drainage.

Do You Need A Drip Edge On The Shingle Roof?

Yes, a drip edge is necessary on a rubber roof. Though your property may not have had a drip edge built when you bought it, drip edges are now mandated by most building regulations in North America to protect properties from damage.

Water may end up beneath the shingles without a drip edge, causing damage to various components of the structure. It can cause difficulty in removing mold and may require professional help. It can also rot the plywood sheathing that supports your roof.

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