Commonly overlooked in older homes and in some regions, not even utilized, drip edges are a vital aspect of maintaining your roof’s overall health. When considering the repairs involved by not having a drip edge, it’s well worth your time and money to ensure your home has them. As a homeowner, it’s important to understand what a drip edge is, its overall purpose, and why it’s not worth skipping as you invest in your greatest purchase: your home!
Wait? What is this Drip Edge?
You’re probably more familiar with the concept of drip edges than you realize. They are the metal flashing that is installed at the edges of the roof. They serve a dual purpose by controlling water flow, specifically navigating it AWAY from under your shingles. It also protects the underlying components of your roof. The placement is on top of the roof’s exterior cover between the fascia and the sheathing. It’s is worth noting that they are not always required for installation in builds. We believe these are imperative to maintaining a healthy roof and getting the most of your roof’s lifetime.
Okay, So That’s All It Does?
Beyond preserving the longevity of your roof and therein, your home, it actually has a very dynamic purpose! It assists the gutters and helps move water away from your home, guards the underlying roof lining during high-impact weather, and, even better, inhibits small insects and pests from gaining access to that space through the bottom of your roof. We find its versatility speaks volumes to its necessity.
So, it’s Worth the Investment?
YES! There are two types of drip edges available to homes which include the Hemmed Drip Edge and the L Drip Edge. If you must choose, for your next investment, between gutters or drip edges, we highly recommend going with drip edges. Both would be ideal but in the event your home does not have gutters, ensuring you’ve added drip edges first will ensure water isn’t compromising your roof. Without the drip edge, water can work its way under the shingles and cause further damage to your roof, encourage frame erosion, and incur costly leaks. Drip edges are absolutely a must for your roof and for your home.
Good news! With Lake Orion Roofing, we offer a free consultation to help assess your roof’s current health and whether you have the necessary drip edges. Our team is readily available to get the job done right the first time. Schedule your consultation today!