Time

Varies

Complexity

Intermediate

Cost

Varies

Introduction

Your roof has several jobs, but probably the most important one is to protect your home from water. As part of this never-ending battle, roofs often have a drip edge, and if yours is rusted or damaged, it will keep your roof from performing up to its full potential. But what is a drip edge, and how do you know if it's working?

To find out, Family Handyman talked to Mike Larsen, owner of Larsen Roofing of Grand Blanc, Michigan. "A drip edge is really just flashing, and it is used to direct water away from your fascia or other wood components to prevent rot or mold damage, which will extend the life of your roof," Larsen says. As far as the efficacy of your current one: "Usually you can eyeball damage or cracks, but the best way to tell is to have a regular roof inspection," Larsen says.

Does everyone have a drip edge? If your home was built in the last 25 years, it's more likely. "If you have an older home, you may not have a drip edge, as they were really only implemented in building codes in the late 1990s," Larsen says.

Luckily, if you want to add a drip edge or replace one that's old or damaged, the project is very doable. Below, Larsen walks us through the steps.

Tools Required

  • Extension ladder
  • Hammer
  • Ladder stabilizer
  • Pry bar
  • Tape measure
  • Tin snips

Materials Required

  • Drip edge flashing
  • Galvanized roofing nails
  • Roofing cement

Project step-by-step (6)

Step 1

Set Up Your Ladder

  • Make sure the ground where you’ll be working is flat and level.
  • Add a ladder stabilizer to your ladder. “As always, ladder safety is key,” Larsen says. “Stabilizers are a good thing to have, especially if you’re trying to do the project yourself.”
  • Lean your ladder against the house, observing the 4:1 rule: For every 4 feet of climbing height, move the bottom of the ladder 1 foot away from the wall.

A person in a green shirt and jeans stands on a tall ladder, painting the upper exterior of a house with wood siding. They are using a paintbrush and a bucket of paint attached to the ladder. The house features a gable roof and green-trimmed windows.TMB Studio

Step 2

Remove Drip Edge

  • Lift the shingles on the edge of your roof, and look for the nails holding the drip edge to the decking.
    • Take note of how the drip edge fits in to your roof as you remove it: Decking, ice shield (in cold states), drip edge, underlayment (used to be oil-soaked felt, now synthetic materials), shingle starter strip, shingles.
  • Gently use the pry bar to lift the drip edge and free the nails. “You don’t want to push too hard, or you could damage your deck,” Larsen says.
  • Work your way down the roof, loosening the drip edge.
  • Climb down and reposition your ladder when you can no longer reach your work.
    • A good rule of thumb is to always keep your belly button between the side rails of the ladder.

How To Fix A Roof Drip Edge TMB Studio

Step 3

Prep New Drip Edge

  • Determine the length of drip edge you need.
  • For new drip edges, measure the eaves (horizontal edges) and rakes (slanted edges) of your roof. You can also use your old drip edge as a reference for the new one.
  • Cut the drip edge to length with the tin snips.
    • If you need to overlap the flashing, cut it so it’s “hanging over by about 2 inches or so at any joints,” Larsen says.
Step 4

Install New Drip Edge

  • Start with the eaves so that water coming from the rakes will flow over the drip edge on the eave.
  • “Slide the new edge in, keeping it flush with your roof’s edge,” Larsen says.
  • Secure the drip edge with galvanized roofing nails. “Make sure the drip edge is extended past the fascia and into your gutters,” Larsen says.
  • Seal the seams and nail heads with roofing cement.
  • Press the shingles back down over the drip edge.
Step 5

FAQs

Is installing roof drip edge a DIY-level project?

Larsen says yes, but you have to be careful. “Honestly, an experienced DIY’er could probably do this, but from what I have seen, many are too rough with the removal process and that leads to further damage,” Larsen adds.

If I replace my roof, do I need to replace the drip edge?

Generally, yes. The drip edge is sandwiched between multiple other roof layers. If you’re replacing everything else, there’s not much benefit to reusing the metal flashing, especially if it’s damaged or full of nail holes.

Step 6

About the Experts

  • Mike Larsen is the owner of Larsen Roofing, which has been serving Genesee and Lapeer Counties in Michigan for over 20 years. Larsen got his start in roofing as a laborer, roofing homes on Chicago’s south side, and his roofing expertise is routinely featured in national publications.
Author
Ally Childress
Ally Childress writes practical, informed stories and how-to guides for Family Handyman and Reader’s Digest. An experienced electrician, Ally's beat naturally includes electrical and construction topics. She also tackles cleaning, gardening, technology, bugs and anything else you can throw at her. She has a knack for finding just the right subjec...
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Ally Childress