Drip edge is a piece of metal flashing that runs along the eaves and rakes of your roof. It is one of the least glamorous components on a roof, and also one of the most frequently skipped. But it is required by current building code in Utah, and for good reason.
What drip edge does
Without drip edge, water running off the shingle edge can curl back under the shingle and wick onto the fascia board and roof decking. This is called capillary action, and it is one of the primary ways wood rot develops at the roof edge. Drip edge creates a clean break between the shingle edge and the fascia, directing water down into the gutter instead of back under the roof.
It also provides a clean, finished edge along the entire perimeter of the roof. More importantly, it seals the gap between the shingle edge and the fascia where wind-driven rain and insects can enter.
Why it gets skipped
On a lot of older homes in Utah, drip edge was never installed because it was not required by code when the original roof went on. When those roofs get replaced, some contractors skip it again to save a few hundred dollars on the bid. That saves them material and about 30 minutes of labor.
It is a shortcut. Current building code requires drip edge, and even if it did not, the protection it provides is worth far more than the small cost to install it. If your estimate does not include drip edge, that is a red flag.
"Contractors who skip drip edge save themselves 30 minutes. It costs you years off the life of your fascia boards."
What to check on your current roof
Walk along the eaves and rakes of your house and look up at the roof edge. If you see a thin metal strip extending slightly past the fascia board with the shingles overlapping it, you have drip edge. If the shingles just end at or near the fascia with no metal underneath, you do not.
If your roof does not have drip edge and you are not replacing the roof anytime soon, it is not an emergency. But when replacement time comes, make sure it is included and listed on the estimate.
Wondering if your roof has drip edge? We check for it during every inspection. Contact us for a free assessment.
"We're very happy with the new roof and the quality of the work. The team were polite and friendly. They cleaned up after the job and left everything in great shape."Gerry Carpenter , Google Review