Some fool previous owner installed shingles without a drip edge on our roof. THe shingles still hae many years left, but the eaves are starting to show the effects of water. Is there a way to fit a drip edge after the shingles are already installed?

 

When you say drip edge, do you mean gutter apron ?

 

There are two edges of concern. One, is the drip edge and the other is the rake or gable edge. The drip edge is the bottom edge where if you had gutters the water would fall in there. The gable or rake edge is that edge which runs up the roof pitch. Is the roof edging missing on both or just the drip. The 1x2 or 1-1/2 x 1-1/2 simply slides underneath the roof shingles and fastened with a few nails for the drip edge.

The rake edge is another story. The shingles should be nailed close to the edge, consequently, these nails would have to be removed before the metal edging can be installed. Then the shingles will have to be nailed down again to prevent blow off. I hope this helps.

 

I just bought an old house...and have the same problem. The wood is rotting under the edge of the shingles...and the water rushes down between the roof and the gutter...heaven forbid it actually use the gutters.

Will I need to pry up the shingles to nail a drip edge or is there an easy fix?

I am learning as I go, so please assume I know nothing.
Thanks.

 

Elisa & guest 2:
The metal you are both talking about is called gutter apron. Some call it drip cap, but that is really the wrong name. Gutter apron looks like the letter "L"
The sides are about 2 1/2 long. One side slips up under the shingles, and the other side drops down into your gutter. When installing it under the edge of the shingles, you will probably encounter some roofing nails, but you may not encounter any at all. It depends on how low to the edge nailing for the starter strip was done. When the apron goes over the edge and down into the gutter, you will encounter the gutter nails or screws that will keep the apron up and not allow it to drop all the way into the gutter. You just cut a notch about 1/2" wide up the apron so that it fits right over the screw or gutter nail. Its that easy. What has happened to you is not that uncommon. My roofing crew probably fixes this situation on a roof about once every 2 weeks. Alot of roofers do not put it on, but a good roofer will always install it. So there you have it. I hope that this helps. Gutter apron is not expensive. It comes in 10 or 12' lengths and only costs a few dollars each. Good Luck

 

- Drip edge can be easily installed underneath current, reparable shingles
- There is a difference between drip edge and gutter apron
- Drip edge does not have to be replaced if it is not damaged, even if the entire roof is being replaced

 

This thread is almost 7 years old. I'm sure they've taken care of this by now.