Water Dripping From Gutters

A gutter apron is a bent piece of flashing that tucks up under the shingles and over the gutter.

Water dripping from gutters.

However a gutter apron is different from a drip edge because it hangs over the gutters and then angles back toward the house. When water starts leaking from the gutter you know you ve got your work cut out for you. Gutters after all protect your home against moisture directing water away from your home s windows siding foundation and other areas of your home you d prefer to keep dry you can t just sit idly by and allow a leaky gutter to wreak havoc to your home. Keeping your gutters and downspouts free from debris is an incredibly important task.

Therefore it s important that you have your gutters cleaned at least once a year. 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. If water is dripping behind your gutter it s probably because it was installed without any flashing over the back of the gutter. A gutter apron is similar to a drip edge in that it fits under the shingles and protects the roof deck.

It finally rained for a while today and i noticed that there were water droplets along the entire length of the gutter see attached photograph. Capillary action is a water activity in which water adheres to a surface and follow the surface. The gutter apron prevents water from ever reaching the soffit by leading water straight into the gutters. 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.

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. Usually this is due to gutter fasteners rusting. 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. For example most ranch style homes have a 3 12 or 4 12 pitch roof.

Home centers sell a gutter apron in 10 ft. The gutter apron will prevent the dripping. 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.