I was recently turned down on inspection after building many homes in a county in North Carolina because they said i had no Drip Edge . We Use Horizon 30 yr shinges they are over hanging approx 1-1 &1/4 ” with the facia edge turned back under . Can someone with knowledge in this area tell me why they would want to require it. The manufacture says you may want to use but doesnt even say recommend, Thanks Buildt it Better “DOC”
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Replies
I always use drip edge because water can do funny things. In your case, the shingle protection might work well for a while, but the inspector may be worried that this unsupported edge could easily break, allowing water to get to the wood.
Did you use felt under the shingles?
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA
Just out of curiosity....why wouldnt you use drip edge?
Its so simple to install, inexpensive and good insurance.
When I see roofers roof with no drip edge I wonder what else theyre skipping.
####
The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I have recently worked on a house with no drip edge--contrary to popular belief, water can run uphill and it does. In this case, running back up the underside of the singles and then down between the fascia and the gutters (evestroughs). From there into the soil sloped towards the foundation and then onward into the basement. I just stuck a drip edge under the top layer (there were two layers, so neither roofer did it right (IMO) and hoped it would stay. It has and the homeowner told me that water no longer pours down the fascia and he's never seen so much water come out of the downspout! (Needless to say, I had also dug out the soil around the foundation, caulked under the windows where the grout had cracked to let water in, installed poly and gravel and landscape fabric and new dirt to slope away from the building; a totally fun experience as their backfill was clay (another no-no). Aren't you glad you asked? Drip edge and Ice Guard (which they also didn't have on this house, so ice dams were a problem; one I couldn't fix without reshingling) are musts IMO.
helps keep the sheathing from rotting starting at the exposed edge ...
that ...
and a roof w/o drip edge looks sloppy.
the bigger the overhang ... the bigger the drooping mushroom.
Jeff
Buck Construction, llc Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
What they said.
Prevents capillary action from wicking the water back to the structure. Don't forget the drip up the rakes.
Supports the overhanging portion of the shingle. After a few summers, your 1-1/4" overhang of shingle will start to droop, then crack, then break off, then...
Drip edge is a fraction of the cost of a roofing job, it's worth it's weight in copper...or aluminum...or...
You said: >>Can someone with knowledge in this area tell me why they would want to require it. <<
I'm not sure if you mean geographic area or knowledge of roofing... You got some good advice above re the latter, now I'm going to give my opinion re the former (geopgaphic).
I live in NC and I'll bet money that it is not required by the NC state wide code. Of course, as you know, any local inspections department can add their own requirements to the state wide (minimum) building code or interpret it as they see fit. Which is fine, but the thing that torques me about this is these extra requirements are rarely documented, published, or whatever.
Since you have already failed the inspection I doubt seriously that you are going to get the inspector to change his mind, however, just as an educational exercise (maybe for me too) I'd call him and ask him for the paragraph number in the NC/IRC code that says that drip edge is required. If you do not have a copy of the NC building code, it is on the web at: http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/?f=templates$fn=main-nf.htm&vid=icc:nc_free Look under the "residential code" section.
I'm gonna guess that only about 15% of the houses in the county where I live (Wake Co) have drip edge. On the other hand, I did put it on my house, and one of the national builders that I worked for installed it also.
You probably already know this, but it seems like you have quite a dilemma though because your shingles are already on... Yes, it can probably be slid up under the shingles, but the problem is that more shingle overhang is required when using drip edge - because the drip edge protrudes beyond the fascia about 3/4" or so, depending on what style you get, meaning that the shingles need to extend 1.5" to 2" beyond the fascia.
Assuming that you had a roofer do the job, I'd get him involved, since a minimum requirement for any sub is that the work passes inspection - unless you explicitly told him that you did not want drip edge...
BTW - what county do you live in?
I'd be interested to hear from Bob Walker, our resident home inspector, to see if he has seen a lot of problems caused by the lack of drip edge.
Good luck,
Here in oregon we generally use a pretty slim drip edge that can be slipped in "later" - it is only as thick as the metal. (stainless most of the time - here)
it is a 90 degree bend with a slight flare on the lower edge. (not the one with the 1" plus projection)
We call that drip cap, it's used above windows and doors... It could be used in Doc's situation though, if the BI will accept it.
http://www.unioncorrugating.com/pages/flashing.htmlMatt
D,
I see it's called "drip cap" but we still use it and call it "drip edge" here... left coast. Must be a regional thing. We also call our vehicles cars, not cores! LOL ; )
Peace
I have always used it. once you learn the cutting techniques, it can be faster to work with it than without it so you save time by ding a better job.
As to your Q why do it? I have re-roofed many many homes that never had irt on and many more that did include drip. At that age, the ones without drip edge had far more edge rot in facia and sheathing than the ones with it installed properly. Wind blown and wicked water will wander in where it does not belong. More noticeable from an apperarance standpoint, the edges of the asphalt shingles will break down from ladders, age, and hail, leaving many missing chunks to add to t6he wter intrusion.
Now that you know all this, let me turn the Q back around to you, Why would anyone not want to put on drip edge, knowing that it is the greaest thing since sliced bread?
I already know the answer - local practice, but that is not a good answer when someone is concerned with a quality job.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Remember that you are addressing the "best practice" concept to someone who lives in a state where . . .
"Shop made" wood, non-clad, windows are probably outselling all other forms. Reason? They cost less.
Synthetic stucco, used all over the world on mostly commercial buildings, got popular and started getting put on residential projects all over the state. When houses started to rot from the inside out, the building community blamed Sto, Dryvit, and Parex. Lawyers like John Edwards made fortunes.
Lowe's has its corporate headquarters.
I know. Tjhat's why I used the phrase, "local practice"
But I have a brother and BIL in south Carolina and they have learend to differentiate themselves from the loacl crowd by doing exemplary work instead of following the crowd.
The builders who follow the crowd have the comfort of numbers -"That's the way we've always done it here" but the crowd is always too crowded for me, and the exemplary builders are always the last ones to run out of work in a downturn while being able to set their own prices in normal times. those are pretty attractive reasons for spending 30-40$ perhouse on drip edge, especially when you make a profit on that same forty bucks by "selling" it to the customer and pointing out how it makes you the better builder.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
helps keep the sheathing from rotting starting at the exposed edge ...
AMEN: Didn't use drip edge on one super cheap project (FHB, Oct-Nov, 1990) and had to tear off a bunch of roof edge last year due to rot ( 2 ft back in one place!). Had left 1-1/2 to 2" shingle overhang, in the rainforest near St. Helens, the water still got to the 3/4 roof sheathing w/o the metal edge.
some one who lives in a state? where?...
wanna fill me and the others in what you believe about NC? or is that all ya got? I lived there, not from there, but...your steppin on some toes with a statement that blankets an entire STATE, a fine state at that.
Tell me..what else do you harbor? I am in KY now..wanna have a swipe at what I currently call home?
Freaking dumb Yankee, you wouldn't know OKRA from OPRAH..
{G}..D&R...
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
Well, they're both kinda slimey, aren't they? (The two "O's") ;-)
>I am in KY now..wanna have a swipe at what I currently call home?
Well, being born and bred in Indiana, I DO take that swipe frequently.
grins
Remodeler
Hey Sphere,
Did you hear that KY is the only state in the union where the population shrinks every year?
It's because every time a baby is born, 3 men leave the state.
Jon Blakemore
Dude did you move to KY to be near Gunner..Well if ya ever see him get my buck and half from him and Ill split it with ya..
Darkworksite4:
El americano pasado hacia fuera ase la bandera
you gotta be kiddin, he'll never give it up..works all them 80+ hour weeks, lives in a tent (I heard) and never spends a dime (cept for tools)...he even makes his helper buy him lunch when we get together...tight I tell ya...{G}
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
KY hu? I heard you guys make some of the best jelly in America. I don't know how it tastes but I've heard it's very effective as an eye ointment. It must be where that eye licking business in the hell test thread got started. Figures ole' KY Gunner was in on it.
{G}..D&R...Kevin Halliburton
"The Greek comic poets, also, divided their plays into parts by introducing a choral song, ... they relived the actor's speeches by such intermissions." Vitruvious, (Book V)
that's the new state Motto
"KY, the jelly state"
um, it's pretty tasteless..don't ask.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
Hey Micro Man, did ya know that the architect who's details you seem to have such a hard time grasping, Susan Susanka, also headquarters here. Maybe she'll do a "See Dick and Jane Build a Not so Big House" book just for you...ha, ha, ha Don't worry, we can fix that later!
You must mean Sarah Susanka, not Susan. Sarah lives in Raleigh. My sister Susan lives in Clinton, NC, but she used to live in Raleigh.
Chapel Hill, eh? Our neice graduated UNC there last year. Maybe you saw her at the ceremony?
I'm coming out with my new book, "Not So Big Houses for Dummies," sometime next year, after I finish my next Susanka-designed house. We'll ask the publisher to mail you a signed copy. I'll use one of them carpenter pencils.
Here is a little stair trim element she dreamed up that I did, without asking the Breaktime crowd. Cool, eh? Laid some ply on the subfloor, scratched out an arc with a beam compass, got out the jigsaw, and lo and behold! The bent 1/8 maple laminate edging was applied in place.
Jus testing you on the Sarah thing,right<G>My bad...but you can't honestly think that after a post like that, you were'nt gonna take some flak.
And, as far as a signed copy of your new book, you can send it along, but I probably won't read it since I am just a dumb carpenter: I only went to Carolina, I didn't graduate.
I also don't make a habit of going to stranger's graduations, whatever you meant by that dig. I did, however, go to #2 son's ceremony at NC State, this Spring. Just don't ask me what he graduated in, or if he's got a job. Danged musicians. And now, he's talking about going to grad school in engineering. I'd love to travel, so I sure hope he means trains.
Those stairs are pretty cool. Did you actually do them all by yourself? Can you post some pics from some other angles? I'd love to see the handrail. Where's the house?
I've lived in New York, New Lebanon and Manhatten(I know, worlds apart), and I know for a fact y'all up there aren't all right. So what was up with you dissing us wooden window users. You have, obviously, never lived in an old house. Me, I'm hep, I've got aluminum trailer windows in my joint LOL.
Bottom line, though, I take offense at your smugness...and as some else here has mentioned to idiot detractors (or there's no way I could remember it): Bite Me!
Oh, and I mean that in a good way ha, ha, ha.
Edited 'cause I never get anything right the first time.
Don't worry, we can fix that later!
Edited 9/9/2004 7:53 pm ET by bucksnort billy
ROTFLMAO
gotta sit that boy down with the North Carolina Atlas And Gazeteer...it's real good read.
Stay on the scent Bucksnort..you'll tree him yet!!!
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
billy, I never know when you're kidding, pissed or whatever.
You quack me up.
And you'd have loved to have been a part of the toast to Mike Smith at Rhodefest.
That Beckman is one smart dude.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
ewe could have said all that right to me and I'd be a laughing still!
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Do you boys want me to have to come and privately speak with each and every one of you? The corporation's working on a jet<G> OK, I could drive LOL Don't worry, we can fix that later!
A rooky roofer wonders if he puts up type F in the diagram.
http://www.amerimax.com/edges.htm
Can he later come back and add gutter?
Yep, just don't nail the vertical leg.
Jon Blakemore
When I was building a house for my wife and I, I had a salesmen for Leaf Guard gutters come out and take a look - I think that was the name of the product - the guy told me that I'd need to remove all the drip edge before he could install the product. I said - Yea right... He, being a salesmen, proceeded to try and talk me into it. I told him that I wanted to save us both some time, and to please leave my building site! Matt
The past few months, I've been working on a house with the Leaf Guard gutters. This house has drip edge. Don't know why was trying to get you to lose it.
You know we've had a lot of heavy rains, I gotta tell you, those gutters really work. Next ice storm, I'm replacing mine old gutters with 'em<G> Don't worry, we can fix that later!
If I remember correctly, they were quite pricey. Also, there are some pines around my house and was wondering if they really kept the needles out. I didn't really understand why he wanted the drip edge off, but I think maybe he was the only franchiszed dealer in the area at the time.
I ended up getting waterfall gutter guards, and am fairly happy with them. Matt
Here in SC, i seldom see drop edge. You'll see the shingles extend an inch or so over the edge and yes i've had to replace shingle molding on my house
I run into this every freakin day in NC! I dont get it, it should be enforced-this causes a lot of problems and Im not a carpenter. I repair alot of wildlife damage and stupid things like a simple drip edge could've prevented.
Theres a great This Old House youtube video on why its important to have drip edges installed. Im from Boston so Im used to seeing them but ever since I moved to Charlotte almost every house (and I do a ton of brand new houses) doesn't have any!! I often end up referring to roofers or charge to retrofit them.