Gutters and Drip Edge During a Roof Replacement in Central PA

What drip edge is

Drip edge is a strip of bent metal along the eaves and the sloped gable edges. It holds the shingles out past the fascia board so water drips clear, and it covers the edge of the roof decking so wind-driven rain cannot wick into the wood.

The residential code used in Pennsylvania calls for drip edge at eaves and rake edges on shingle roofs. Many older houses around Harrisburg were roofed before that was common, so the edge of the deck has taken water for decades.

At the eaves, the ice barrier goes over the drip edge so water cannot get behind it.
At the rakes, the drip edge goes over the underlayment.
Pieces should overlap and be fastened as the maker specifies.

Signs the roof edge needs attention

Peeling paint or dark streaks on the fascia boards.
Soft or rotted wood at the corners of the roof.
Water running behind the gutter instead of into it.
Gutters pulling away from the house or sagging between hangers.
Wet soil or puddles along the foundation after rain.

Replace the gutters too?

Gutters are usually not part of the roofing itself, but the two are closely linked. Old gutters are often taken down to install drip edge and the ice barrier properly, and some do not survive being removed.

If the gutters are sound and properly pitched, they can usually be rehung after the roof.
If they are dented, leaking at the seams or pulling loose, replacing them at the same time saves a second disruption.
If rotted fascia is found behind them, it needs replacing before gutters go back up.

Ask who does the gutters

Some roofers install gutters themselves; others leave that to a separate gutter company. Make sure the written contract says who removes, rehangs or replaces them.

Gutters and ice dams

Central Pennsylvania winters bring freeze-thaw cycles that fill gutters with ice. Gutters do not cause ice dams, which start with heat escaping from the house, but packed, frozen gutters make the edge of the roof colder and heavier. A full ice barrier at the eaves is the protection that counts.

Where the water goes next

Downspouts should carry water several feet away from the foundation. Older houses in the city often have downspouts that drain into the ground near the wall, which can show up as a damp basement. A new roof is a good time to look at where every downspout ends.

Questions

+Is drip edge required on a re-roof in Pennsylvania?

The residential code used under Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code calls for drip edge on shingle roofs. Ask your roofer to include it and to explain how it will be lapped with the ice barrier and underlayment.

+Can the old gutters stay up during the replacement?

Sometimes, but taking them down usually lets the crew install drip edge and the ice barrier properly. Ask how your roofer handles it.

+What color should the drip edge be?

Drip edge comes in many colors. Most homeowners match it to the gutters or the trim so the roof edge looks finished.

Gutters and drip edge with a new roof