What is a gutter drip edge
Victoria Simmons
Published Mar 16, 2026
Drip edge is metal flashing installed at the edges of the roof to keep water away from your fascia and from getting underneath your roofing components. If your roof doesn’t have drip edge, water gets behind your gutters and rots out both your fascia board and roof decking.
Do I need drip edge with gutters?
If the home has no gutter, the drip edge will prevent the water from running down the fascia and onto or into the soffit cavity. However, without the drip edge, the water sticks to shingles, potentially working its way under the shingles to cause a leak.
Should drip edge be tight to fascia?
A vertical drip edge lip extends down roughly 1 5/8″ and as Steve points out, should not be set tight against the fascia board or water may run behind the gutter and down the fascia, inviting leaks and rot.
What is difference between gutter apron and drip edge?
Drip edge is installed to the trim of the roof so that it hangs directly behind the back end of the gutter. … A gutter apron, on the other hand, is installed under the shingles (See our blog: “What Types of Shingles are Best?”) and above roof decking.Why is water dripping between gutter and fascia?
If water is dripping behind your gutter, it’s probably because it was installed without any flashing over the back of the gutter. The gutter apron will prevent the dripping. A gutter apron is a bent piece of flashing that tucks up under the shingles and over the gutter. Home centers sell a gutter apron in 10-ft.
Why do my gutters drip?
Over time, rain gutters often start to pull away from the roof, allowing water to drip over the gutter sides or between the gutters and the walls. Usually, this is due to gutter fasteners rusting or loosening after years of temperature extremes and exposure to water.
Do I need a drip edge on rake edge?
A drip edge should be installed on the eaves and rakes of the roof, flush with the decking and fascia. On eaves, the drip edge is installed directly to the deck with underlayment installed over it for proper water shedding. On rakes, the underlayment is installed over the drip edge.
How much does it cost to install drip edge?
The standard drip edge used (aluminum) is going to be around $2.00 a linear foot, including labor to install. If you upgrade to a different metal (steel or copper), it’s going to cost even more.Do you put drip edge on before tar paper?
Installing roof drip edge flashing properly The best way is to install the roof drip edge only along the eaves first, then place ice-and-water barrier (in the snowbelt) or felt paper (underlayment) over the drip edge. This lets any water that gets on the roof run down the underlayment and over the drip edge.
Does drip edge go over or under felt?Does Drip Edge Go Over or Under Felt? According to most building codes and manufacturer recommendations, the drip edge should be installed beneath the underlayment along the eaves of the roof.
Article first time published onCan you replace drip edge without removing shingles?
The drip edge is often replaced when new shingles are installed, but it can be replaced at any time. Asphalt roof shingles can become brittle in cold weather, so wait until a warm (but not hot) day to remove and replace eave stripping.
Can you install drip edge after shingles?
Can Drip Edge Be Installed After Shingles? The most popular time to install a drip edge is when new shingles are installed. However, the drip edge can be installed at any time. The materials involved include: a ladder, a flat pry bar, a hammer, tin snips, eave stripping, and galvanized roofing nails.
What's the difference between a drip edge and a rake edge?
It involves the point of application in relation to the underlayment and/or eaves flashing. At the rake edge, the perimeter drip edge metal is applied over the underlayment with the appropriate fasteners secured every eight (8) to ten (10) inches on center.
How much does it cost to install gutter aprons?
Installing a gutter drip edge and gutter apron are cost-effective roofing materials ranging between $1 to $3 per linear foot. Unless you choose a more expensive material, then it would also mean a more costly installation, but aside from that, there isn’t a huge difference between the two.
How far should shingles hang over the edge?
Shingles should not extend more than 3/4” (19 mm) past the drip edge. If shingles overhang the edge of the roof by more than 3/4” (19 mm), then they are not supported and may crack and break off.
How do you fix a leaky gutter corner?
- Clean the corner. …
- Clean the area around the hole using the same methods we discussed above. …
- Apply roofing cement around the hole, then patch it with metal flashing.
- Cover the flashing completely with more roofing cement.
- Disconnect the seam.
Should gutters be caulked?
Caulk is a necessary part of gutter maintenance. … The seams of your rain gutters can rust if left unprotected and fungi can begin to grow in the seams if rotted leaves or other organic matter gets caught in the cracks.
Where do you put drip edge?
The correct placement of a roof drip edge is on top of the roof’s exterior cover directly between the sheathing and the fascia board, which 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.
How does a drip edge work?
Drip edge is a metal flashing that is installed at the edges of the roof to help control the flow of water away from the fascia and to protect the underlying roofing components. Drip edge overhangs the sides of the roof and has a small metal flange that is bent away from the fascia.
What kind of nails do you use for drip edge?
The drip edge is nailed in place using 1-1/2 galvanized roofing nails. A felt-tip marker works great for marking cuts. And, again, prying open the end with a small flat bar allows the pieces to overlap cleanly.
Should drip edge be painted?
The drip edge in and of itself is designed to protect the integrity of your roof, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t also need its own protecting! Priming and painting will deliver that protection, along with a cohesive aesthetic if your drip edge is visible.
How far should gutter be from drip edge?
A safe distance between the gutter and the roof edge should be between 2 to 3 inches. If the gutter distance is more than 3 inches, the rain will run off the roof and won’t drain properly.