The roofing industry has changed quite a lot over the years. These days, homeowners are rarely opting for the standard, 3-tab shingles that were so popular a few decades ago. Instead, they are going with architectural shingles, and in some cases, with even more eco-friendly options like green roofing or slate. Whether you're shopping around for a new roof or are thinking of having repairs made to your current roof, it pays to be educated. Learn the basics on this blog, where we discuss roofing in the modern world. We explore various roofing materials, roofing techniques, and how to find the right roofer.
A drip edge is both a useful and essential component of your roof. The goal of the drip edge is to make sure that water that runs to the edge of your roof ends up going down the gutter. If you do not have a drip edge, the water will instead run behind the gutter and will cause damage to your building.
Understanding the Drip Edge
The drip edge is a piece of aluminum that sits at the edge of the fascia. It is put in place to make sure that your roof has better drainage. The drip edge will also extend the life of your roof and you will not have to perform as much maintenance.
The Drip Edge and Performance Issues
When your roof doesn't have a drip edge, this will cause moisture to cause the fascia board to rot. This will lead to your gutters experiencing poor performance as a result. It's so important that it is often required by building codes.
Drip Edges and Ice Dams
There are many advantages that come from drip edges. They have the ability to prevent ice dams from causing damage to your roof decking.
Controlling the Flow of Water
The roof decking and fascia have gaps that would form without a drip edge. This can lead to your water not going down the gutter.
The drip edge prevents water from forming along your foundation, which would cause the foundation to become damaged. The drip edge also prevents moisture from climbing up on your roof.
A roof that has a drip edge will be much more stable and will be able to resist strong winds. This will help protect your roof from being lifted off during the windiest days.
The Installation of a Drip Edge
For the drip edge to be effective, it's important to have it installed correctly. To do this, you will need to hire professional roofing contractors to have the job performed for you. This will ensure that the right type of drip edge has been installed, that the drip edge is installed in the right location, and that it has been installed in the right way.
A good time to have a drip edge installed is when you are having your roof replaced. When the drip edge has been put in place, your home will be less likely to be damaged and the extra effort will have been worth it.
For more information about residential roofing, contact a local company.