Should gutters go under the drip edge or behind it? The upper back edge of the gutter should normally sit behind or under the drip edge’s lower flange so water runs off the roof directly into the gutter. Gutters should not be positioned ahead of the drip edge in a way that allows runoff to pass between the gutter and the fascia.
Factors such as roof pitch, fascia design, drip-edge profile, gutter slope, and the distance between shingles and the gutter can affect whether the gutter hangs under the drip edge or behind it. Some homes may require additional gutter apron or flashing extension to close gaps and prevent water from reaching the fascia board.
What Is a Roof Drip Edge?
A roof drip edge is thin metal flashing installed at the eaves and rake edges of roofs. At the eaves, it guides water away from the roof deck and fascia and toward the gutters.
Typically, the drip edge has one part that goes back onto the roof deck. A second part bends downward along the roofline. The lower edge of the drip may also flare outward slightly to encourage water to release from its surface instead of drip down along the fascia board.
Should the Gutter Be Tucked Behind the Drip Edge?
Ideally, the gutter should be placed so the drip edge lands water inside the gutter channel. This often means that the gutter’s upper back edge sits behind or underneath the lower edge of the drip edge.
That said, the gutter does not have to be tightly tucked upward behind the flashing along its entire length. Gutters need to slope slightly toward downspouts, so the distance between drip edge and gutter may gradually widen across a long gutter run.
The key requirement is that water leaves the drip edge and falls inside the gutter. If it can drip behind the gutter or travel down the fascia, then the installation may need to be tweaked or supplemented with a piece of flashing.
The drip edge is flashing intended to direct water away from the fascia. It states that the lower edge of the eave drip edge should be placed so water drips into the gutters.
Why Shouldn’t the Gutter Cover the Drip Edge?
You shouldn’t install a gutter over the outside edge of the drip edge where it might trap water against the fascia. The drip edge must have a clear path for draining into the gutter.
Covering the drip edge with gutters can redirect water behind the gutter. Fasteners or gutter hangers can also damage or bend the drip edge if forced together too closely.
A correctly designed and coordinated installation lets the roof covering, drip edge, gutter, and fascia work together as a single drainage system. Components should not overlap in ways that block each other.
What Happens If There Is a Gap Between the Drip Edge and Gutter?
A small gap will not always cause problems if water still falls directly into the gutter. But a larger gap or poorly located opening can enable runoff to travel behind the gutter and down the fascia board.
Water can drip off roofs and metal due to surface tension. If the drip edge is too short, bends upward, or sits far behind the gutter, water may cling to the fascia instead of falling into the gutter.
Warning signs that gutters and drip edge may not line up properly include:
- Water dripping between gutter and fascia
- Dark stains or paint chipping along the fascia
- Soft, rotting wood behind gutter
- Ice dams forming behind gutter in winter
- Water stains on soffits or siding
- Overflow during heavy rains even when gutters are clean
- Water washed soil beneath the roof’s eaves
If runoff leaves the drip edge instead of entering the gutter, you may need to move the gutter down, replace the damaged drip edge, or install a gutter apron that extends farther under the shingles and into the gutter.
Can Gutters Be Installed Too High?
Yes. Gutters hung too high can interfere with shingles, the drip edge, or snow and ice on the roof. If the front edge rises into the roof plane, melting ice and sliding debris may damage the gutter.
An excessively high gutter can also interfere with proper drainage by preventing water from dropping into the gutters. Instead, it may collect runoff and debris on a large ledge behind the gutter.
Generally, the gutter’s front edge should stay below the roof plane as it extends away from the home. However, you still want gutters high enough to catch water running down the roof during heavy rains.
Correct gutter placement is one reason many installers base their heights on roof configuration rather than a one-size-fits-all approach for every house.
Can Gutters Be Installed Too Low?
Yes. Gutters hung too low may cause water to overshoot the gutter instead of entering the channel. This becomes increasingly common on steep roofs, longer roof slopes, or homes in areas with intense rainfall.
A low gutter can also create a wide gap beneath the drip edge. Water that misses the gutter instead of tilting outward may fall into that gap and wet the fascia board.
Proper gutter sizing is another consideration when determining how high to hang gutters. York County Gutters builds 6-inch seamless aluminum gutters on-site to provide greater capacity for homeowners who need to drain more roof runoff.
How Do Maine Winters Affect the Installation?
Roofs in Maine must withstand heavy rain, snowmelt, ice dams, high winds, and annual freeze/thaw cycles. Left unchecked, water behind the gutter can freeze to fascia and worsen gaps or broken wood.
Ice can also pile up against gutters that aren’t securely fastened, are improperly pitched, or hang loosely from the roof. Drainage problems that cause water to sit in gutters will cause meltwater to refreeze along the roof edge and inside the gutter.
Correct gutter and drip edge placement can not stop every wintertime problem. Ice dams sometimes develop higher on the roof above the gutter. But by ensuring water exits the roof properly, you can minimize unnecessary moisture along fascia and soffit.
Can Existing Gutters Be Repositioned?
In many cases, yes. You can often move existing gutters slightly if they are still securely fastened and in good condition. Contractors might adjust gutter hangers, fix the pitch, relocate outlets, and install necessary flashing.
However, if the gutter is bent, corroded, too small for the roof, or pulling away from the house due to rot, repositioning it may do little good. Carefully examine wood near and behind the gutter before drilling any new holes.
York County Gutters provides professional [gutter installation services in York, Maine, as well as gutter replacement, gutter repairs, gutter cleaning, gutter heating cables, and gutter protection systems. The gutter company can inspect your roofline and surrounding buildings to ensure your gutters work properly and drain correctly.
Should Gutters Go Under the Drip Edge or Behind It?
Should gutters go under the drip edge or behind it? Gutters should be placed under the roof edge with the top of the backward edge positioned either under or behind the drip edge whenever possible. Water should land in gutters rather than behind them.
Seeing water come off your roof and drip between your gutters and fascia? Contact York County Gutters for a detailed owner-conducted gutter inspection, repair, or customized seamless gutter installation anywhere in York County and many nearby communities in Southern Maine.