Water Dripping From Gutters

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 from gutters.

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. A gutter apron is similar to a drip edge in that it fits under the shingles and protects the roof deck. 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. Keeping your gutters and downspouts free from debris is an incredibly important task.

A gutter apron is a bent piece of flashing that tucks up under the shingles and over the gutter. 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. The water falling on the step was dripping from the gutter near an outside miter so i sealed the miter the best i could. 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.

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. If water is dripping behind your gutter it s probably because it was installed without any flashing over the back of the gutter. When water starts leaking from the gutter you know you ve got your work cut out for you.

For example most ranch style homes have a 3 12 or 4 12 pitch roof. However a gutter apron is different from a drip edge because it hangs over the gutters and then angles back toward the house. 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.

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. The gutter apron will prevent the dripping. Usually this is due to gutter fasteners rusting.