When it comes to roofing, the importance of drip edges is often overlooked by homeowners. Though drip edges are a common feature on homes and businesses located in certain areas of the United States, they are not as common in areas that do not experience frequent or severe storms. While not installing a drip edge on your roof may save you money in the short-term, it can cause costly damage that will be expensive to fix. As a homeowner or business owner, it is important to fully understand how and why a drip edge is used.

What is a drip edge?

A drip edge is a non-staining and non-corroding material installed on a roof’s edge to give water the ability to filter out of the roof system. In other words, it is the metal flashing located at the edge of a roof. A drip edge is installed with a tilt. This gives it the ability to direct water away from a roof quickly and efficiently. Without a drip edge, water could get stuck on your roof and lead to leaks.

Where should drip edges be placed?

The correct placement of a roof drip edge is on top of the roof’s exterior cover. It goes directly between the sheathing, the wood layer between the structure and roofing, and the fascia board, the long, straight board that runs along the lower edge of the roof.  It forms a drainage gap between the drip edge and the fascia board. As a result, the drainage improves water flow and protects the roof from potential water damage.

Why is a drip edge important?

Drip edges not only act to preserve the appearance of your roof, but they help shield your property from potential damages:

• Deters insects and other small pests from accessing the space between the fascia board and a deck at the bottom of the roof, which could otherwise give pests the opportunity to enter a home or attic.
• Protects the shingles from potential water damage, which otherwise may cause the roof, deck, and fascia board to erode over time.
• Pushes water away from the fascia and reduces the risk of it eroding over time.
• Helps the gutters to move water away from the house and its base.
• Shields exposed regions from insect and pest infestation.
• Safeguards the edge of a deck from water during rainstorms.
• Guards the underlying roofline against damage in the winter months such as ice and snow damage, which could result in rotting.
• Safeguards the roof from strong gusts of wind and wind-blown rain.
• Shields the fundamental wood and promotes the performance of water-shedding.
• Shields against the occurrence of shifts between a deck and the fascia boards.
• Lengthens the life and the effectiveness of the roofing materials and the roof overall.

At Huuso Exteriors, we want the very best for our clients. Our experienced employees will perform an assessment of your roof at NO CHARGE. We will provide you with several options to address and solve any concerns we find. We also make sure you understand each option and its benefits. To serve our clients best, we work with your insurance to ensure you are receiving the right and best possible results.

Not only do we take care of your home, but we also protect your business. We offer many solutions for your commercial roof. Call Huuso Exteriors today to get the service you deserve