The drip edge is a component installed along the eaves of your roof that helps to direct water flow and project it outward ideally into your gutters where it will be safely carried away.
Water dripping between gutter and roof.
The gutters then direct the water to a downspout allowing the water to run down until it reaches the ground.
If the water is dripping between the fascia and the soffit or only from the soffit this is a good indicator that the leak is coming from your roof.
Usually this is due to gutter fasteners rusting.
When water drips between the fascia and the gutters the problem could be a compromised drip edge but it s also possible the gutters are overflowing.
Over time rain gutters often start to pull away from the roof allowing water to drip over the gutter sides or between the gutters and the walls.
But what happens when your roof s gutters become worn out or cracked or clogged.
Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak.
When the roof shingles do not extend past the metal drip edge the water will suck back on the metal drip edge this is called capillary action and run behind your gutters.
If your ceiling has a plastic vapor barrier between the drywall and the attic insulation push the insulation aside and look for flow stains on the plastic often water runs to openings in the vapor barrier such as at ceiling light fixtures.
A gutter apron is a bent piece of flashing that tucks up under the shingles and over the gutter.
If water is dripping behind your gutter it s probably because it was installed without any flashing over the back of the gutter.
For gutters to work properly they must be properly sloped toward the downspouts and the roof must have a drip edge that clears the sides of the gutters closest to the house.
If the drip edge is installed incorrectly or takes on some damage from time or weather it can often result in water just not quite making it to the gutters.
Water leaking between gutter and fascia.
For example most ranch style homes have a 3 12 or 4 12 pitch roof.
The gutter apron prevents water from ever reaching the soffit by leading water straight into the gutters.
When there is rain the water is expected to roll down the roof and into the gutters.
The gutter apron will prevent the dripping.
However a gutter apron is different from a drip edge because it hangs over the gutters and then angles back toward the house.
Some roof leaks are tough to locate.
A gutter apron is similar to a drip edge in that it fits under the shingles and protects the roof deck.