Several components go into making a roofing structure durable and sustainable, two of these components worthy of mentioning are drip edges and roof gutters.
These materials protect underlying roofing components from water damage and help channel water from the roof to proper drainage.
So, you must’ve probably inferred from the above pointers that the placement and installation processes of these materials are something you can’t afford to get wrong.
This article contains all you need to know about gutters and drip edges, the specifics on how they are to be placed, and key installation dos and don’ts.
Here’s if the Gutter Should Go Under Metal Drip Edge:
The gutter should go under the drip edge to be correctly positioned to collect water from the roof. The drip edge directs water to the gutter; for this system to be effective, the gutter should be placed at the base. A wrong positioning of a gutter can cause water to flow into the wrong place.
Where to Install Gutters?
When rain falls, your house needs a means by which the water is controlled and adequately channeled; this is what a gutter does for your home.
Gutters are drainage systems that help to navigate the water running off the roof and channel the water from the house at large to an appropriate quarter.
Gutters are really important in a home regardless of the amount of rain experienced within a region. Here’s a breakdown of how these components are installed,
Gutters are usually attached to the roof by the fascia board. It is a pipe-like channel through which water passes down from the roof. It is hung around all edges of the roof and positioned so that it can easily collect the runoff of rain and hail.
Without the gutter hanging at the roof side, your house can be vulnerable to waterlogging, which can cause cracks in walls, weaken the foundation, and cause rots in the wooden parts of your house.
The gutter is one of the components responsible for the water management of a house, so you must ensure you’re implementing the right steps when installing the material.
Do Gutter and Drip Edge Be Connect?
The drip edge is an inconspicuous component of a roof, and homeowners rarely notice it. It works to direct the flow of water from the roof straight into the gutter and protects the fascia board.
The fascia board is the panel that bears the weight of the gutter running horizontally around the roof; this part of the roof is not designed to be exposed to water.
If the drip edge is absent, water will most definitely flow onto your fascia board and damage it.
Roofs of buildings are usually slopey; so the natural direction of water flowing on their surface is downwards. The drip edge, however, controls the flow of water and channels it to the gutter connected to it.
The drip edge should overlap where it meets with the gutter, so that water will run straight into the gutter and shield the fascia board from getting wet.
The drip edge is attached directly to the roof’s eaves and seals off the underlayment. This component prevents water from seeping into the roof’s interior, and efficiently directs water into the gutters.
Installing a drip edge is pretty straightforward but a lot of homeowners make the mistake of installing a drip edge at the eaves, the same way they installed it on the rakes.
So, be extra careful about this when putting your drip edge in place.
How Do You Fix a Gap Between Drip Edge and Gutters?
When water drips behind your gutter, it indicates something is wrong around the roof. You might need to get a ladder to check for the cause of the dripping.
A common cause is a gap between the drip edge and the gutter.
Sometimes, it could be that the gutters are beginning to sag, or it is no longer firmly fixed to the fascia board, causing a gap between the gutter and the drip edge.
To fix the gap between the gutter and the drip edge, you can do either of the following.
- You can get an aluminum flashing and fix it on the drip edge so that it overlaps the gutter slightly.
This is to help the drip edge control the water runoff from the roof. Rather than allowing the gap to drip water on the fascia board, the aluminum flash can save the day.
Aluminum flashing is a flexible metal that can be easily cut and bent to fit into the shape of the roof gap.
It is a waterproof material that you can safely use on your drip edge without fearing rust or corrosion.
- Locate the gap and use a thermal caulk on the drip edge to seal it to the gutter. The thermal caulk is a waterproof sealant that can help prevent water from seeping behind your gutter onto the fascia board.
- You can also hire a professional to look at the gutter; if need be, he might have to take down the gutter and adjust the drip edge or fix the fascia board if it is sagging already.
The fascia board has a huge role to play in correctly positioning the gutter and holding it in place; when it sags, there is a small chance that it might create some gaps that would not allow water coming from the roof to enter directly into the gutter.
How Do You Install Gutters With Drip Edge?
Installing your gutter and a drip edge is a simple process that you can do yourself if you can’t afford professional help.
The series of processes to follow will be listed below so you can carry it out on your building.
- If you are renovating, remove the old gutter from your fascia and clear off all dirt and remains of the old water trough.
- Get your gutter and the gutter screw from a hardware store close to you, or you can easily purchase them online from a reputable outlet.
- Attach the end caps to the edge of the gutter; the edges are pre-bent already, so all you have to do is to match it with the end cap and fix it in place.
- Use your drill gun to fix the screws at the four corners of the end caps. This is to attach the end caps firmly to the gutter. The end cap holds water in the gutter and prevents it from dripping off.
- At the other end of the gutter, you attach the seamer. The seamer is ready to fit into the gutter, so you must attach it like a collar.
- Next is to put in the gutter hangers every 18 inches. The gutter hangers are the part that is attached to the fascia to hold the gutter in place.
- While fixing your gutter, ensure an ½ inch slope every ten feet to ensure that the water runs downhill into the downspout that takes the water into the drainage.
- Do the same for every gutter trough hung on the fascia board, and you are good to go.
Summary
Gutters make up the drainage system of your house. They help channel water and prevent water damage.
The drip edge is a small metal placed at the roof’s eaves and rake to control the water movement from the roof and ensure that they enter the gutters.
If there is a gap between the drip edge and the gutter, you can fix it by caulking it or calling a professional to reinstall the fascia board.
In the article, we highlighted eight steps to help you navigate the process of installing gutters in your home. So, if you’re ever stuck on a particular step, make sure to reference the article.
garlock-french.com/gutters/rain-gutters-why-are-they-important/
infiniteroofingny.com/roof/shingles/drip-edge/
finehomebuilding.com/forum/repair-gap-between-gutter-and-roof
