You may not have heard much about it before, but the drip edge is a critical component of any roofing system. It may just be a little piece of metal, but it has a big role to play when it comes to preventing damage to your home. In this blog post, we will discuss more about what the drip edge is, how it works, and why it is so important.
What Is the Drip Edge?
The drip edge is a small strip of metal that is installed along the edges of your roof. Its main purpose is to help steer water away from your roof and into the gutters. Without one, water would run down the sides of your roof and eventually seep into the structure of your home, which can lead to all kinds of issues.
How Does it Work?
As touched on above, the drip edge works by directing water away from your roof and into the gutters. It does this by creating a small gap between the edge of your roof and the gutters. This gap allows water to flow freely into the gutters without being impeded by your roofing material.
Why Is it Important?
There are many benefits to having a drip edge on your roof. Let’s take a closer look at these below.
Prevents Damage to the Soffit and Fascia Areas of Your Roof
One of the most important benefits of the drip edge is that it helps to prevent damage to the soffit and fascia areas of your roof. If you’re unfamiliar with the terms, the soffit is the area of your roof that extends beyond the edge of your home, while the fascia is the horizontal board that runs along the edge of your roof. These are the areas that are most susceptible to moisture and water damage, so by directing water away from them, you can help to extend their lifespan.
Helps Stabilize the Roof
Another important benefit of the drip edge is that it helps to stabilize your roof. This is especially important if you live in an area that experiences high winds. The edge helps to keep your roofing material in place, which can prevent it from being blown off during a storm.
Keeps Pests Out
Last but not least, the drip edge can also help to keep pests out of your home. This is because it covers the “carpenter’s gap” of your roof, which is a small opening between the edge of your roof and the fascia. This gap is large enough for pests to squeeze through, but with one of these edges in place, they won’t be able to get in.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, the drip edge is a very important component of any roofing system. If you’re in the process of installing a new roof, or are simply looking to upgrade your existing one, be sure to ask your contractor about adding this important edge. It may not seem like much, but it can make a world of difference when it comes to protecting your home.
Does your roof need a drip edge? Contact Ainger Roofing today to see how we can help!
