Keeping water where it belongs is the most important thing about a well-designed roof. Adding a drip edge extension is one of the best ways to do this. Most roofs come with standard drip edges, but extensions give you the extra length you need to direct water straight into the gutter system. If water is running behind your gutters and staining the fascia boards or rotting the wood, a drip edge extension might be the easy fix you need.
We'll show you how to install it step by step in this article, talk about the tools you'll need, and go over some common mistakes to avoid.
What is the point of putting in a drip edge extension?
Before we get into the "how-to," let's talk about the "why." A drip edge extension:
• Sends water to the gutters instead of behind them.
• Keeps fascia boards, soffits, and siding from rotting.
• Makes gutters work better when it rains a lot.
• Helps lower the chances of ice dams in places that get cold.
Adding one is a small investment that can save you thousands of dollars in repairs for water damage that happens over time.
Things You Need to Work With
To put in a drip edge extension the right way, you will need:
• A tape measure
• Metal cutting shears or tin snips
• Nails or screws for roofing that won't rust
• A hammer or a drill
• A pry bar to loosen shingles if you need to
• A chalk line to make sure things are straight
• Gear for safety, like gloves, goggles, and a ladder stabilizer
• Strips that extend the drip edge (made of aluminum, steel, or copper)
Installing Step by Step
1. Check the Roof and Gutters
Look for any signs of damage on the fascia, soffits, or gutters. Before putting in a drip edge extension, fix or replace any wood that is already rotting. Putting something over damaged material will only hide the problem for a short time.
2. Measure the Roofline
To find out how many linear feet of drip edge extension you need, use a tape measure. Always buy 10–15% more than you need to make up for overlaps and cuts.
3. Take off or lift the shingles (if needed)
If your current drip edge is hidden under shingles, use a pry bar to carefully lift the first row. Don't let them break or crack. If your roof is newer, you might be able to slide the extension under without loosening any shingles.
4. Trim Extensions to Fit
Use tin snips to cut the drip edge extension pieces so that they are the same length as your roofline. Cut a little longer than you need to; you can trim off the extra later to get it just right.
5. Put the Drip Edge Extension in the right place
Make sure the extension covers the current drip edge by at least 2 inches. The bottom "face" of the extension should go over the fascia and line up directly above the gutter trough.
6. Put in Place
Use nails or screws that won't rust to attach the extension every 12 inches along the roofline. Make sure the nails go through the roof decking and not just the fascia to make it stable. Don't drive fasteners too hard, as this can bend the metal.
7. Close the Corners and Joints
Cut the drip edge extension at a 45-degree angle at the corners of the roof to make a clean overlap. For long runs, make sure that each piece overlaps by at least 2 inches to keep water from getting through gaps.
8. Secure the shingles again
If the shingles came loose during installation, push them back into place and use roofing cement to hold them in place if you need to. This makes sure that the drip edge extension is completely sealed against water.
9. Look over the work
After you put it up, run water from a hose across the roof to make sure that runoff goes straight into the gutter. Make changes if you need to.
Things You Shouldn't Do
• Not properly overlapping extensions: If pieces are butted end-to-end, water can get through the gaps.
• Using the wrong fasteners: Regular nails can rust and break; always use galvanized or aluminum roofing nails.
• Not lining up with the gutters correctly: If the drip edge extension isn't directly above the gutter trough, water may still miss.
• Not fixing damaged fascia: Extensions won't fix rot that is already there; fix the wood before you put it up.
Installing it yourself or hiring a pro
Installing a drip edge extension is a DIY project that isn't too hard. You can finish the job in a day for an average-sized home if you know how to use basic roofing tools and are comfortable on ladders.
But there are clear benefits to hiring a professional to do your roofing or gutters:
• Correct ways to put things in the right place and fasten them.
• Following the rules for building in the area.
• Guarantees on work and materials.
• Safe use of tall ladders and roof edges.
Professional installation is the safer choice if your roof is steep, tall, or hard to get to.
After Installation Care
Once your drip edge extension is up, you don't have to do much to keep it up. In short:
• To keep clogs from happening, clean your gutters twice a year.
• Check extensions once a year for signs of rust, damage, or loosening.
• If water starts to leak behind the gutters again, you should either reseal or replace the sections.
If you install a drip edge extension correctly, it should last as long as your roof.
Final Thoughts
A drip edge extension is a small part of your roof, but it makes a big difference in keeping your home safe from water damage. You can make sure that water always flows where it should by carefully installing gutters by measuring, overlapping, fastening, and aligning them.
Installing a drip edge extension is one of the cheapest ways to protect your home's foundation and make your roof last longer, whether you do it yourself or hire a professional.
If you've seen water going around your gutters, don't wait. Putting in a drip edge extension now can save you a lot of money on repairs later.
We'll show you how to install it step by step in this article, talk about the tools you'll need, and go over some common mistakes to avoid.
What is the point of putting in a drip edge extension?
Before we get into the "how-to," let's talk about the "why." A drip edge extension:
• Sends water to the gutters instead of behind them.
• Keeps fascia boards, soffits, and siding from rotting.
• Makes gutters work better when it rains a lot.
• Helps lower the chances of ice dams in places that get cold.
Adding one is a small investment that can save you thousands of dollars in repairs for water damage that happens over time.
Things You Need to Work With
To put in a drip edge extension the right way, you will need:
• A tape measure
• Metal cutting shears or tin snips
• Nails or screws for roofing that won't rust
• A hammer or a drill
• A pry bar to loosen shingles if you need to
• A chalk line to make sure things are straight
• Gear for safety, like gloves, goggles, and a ladder stabilizer
• Strips that extend the drip edge (made of aluminum, steel, or copper)
Installing Step by Step
1. Check the Roof and Gutters
Look for any signs of damage on the fascia, soffits, or gutters. Before putting in a drip edge extension, fix or replace any wood that is already rotting. Putting something over damaged material will only hide the problem for a short time.
2. Measure the Roofline
To find out how many linear feet of drip edge extension you need, use a tape measure. Always buy 10–15% more than you need to make up for overlaps and cuts.
3. Take off or lift the shingles (if needed)
If your current drip edge is hidden under shingles, use a pry bar to carefully lift the first row. Don't let them break or crack. If your roof is newer, you might be able to slide the extension under without loosening any shingles.
4. Trim Extensions to Fit
Use tin snips to cut the drip edge extension pieces so that they are the same length as your roofline. Cut a little longer than you need to; you can trim off the extra later to get it just right.
5. Put the Drip Edge Extension in the right place
Make sure the extension covers the current drip edge by at least 2 inches. The bottom "face" of the extension should go over the fascia and line up directly above the gutter trough.
6. Put in Place
Use nails or screws that won't rust to attach the extension every 12 inches along the roofline. Make sure the nails go through the roof decking and not just the fascia to make it stable. Don't drive fasteners too hard, as this can bend the metal.
7. Close the Corners and Joints
Cut the drip edge extension at a 45-degree angle at the corners of the roof to make a clean overlap. For long runs, make sure that each piece overlaps by at least 2 inches to keep water from getting through gaps.
8. Secure the shingles again
If the shingles came loose during installation, push them back into place and use roofing cement to hold them in place if you need to. This makes sure that the drip edge extension is completely sealed against water.
9. Look over the work
After you put it up, run water from a hose across the roof to make sure that runoff goes straight into the gutter. Make changes if you need to.
Things You Shouldn't Do
• Not properly overlapping extensions: If pieces are butted end-to-end, water can get through the gaps.
• Using the wrong fasteners: Regular nails can rust and break; always use galvanized or aluminum roofing nails.
• Not lining up with the gutters correctly: If the drip edge extension isn't directly above the gutter trough, water may still miss.
• Not fixing damaged fascia: Extensions won't fix rot that is already there; fix the wood before you put it up.
Installing it yourself or hiring a pro
Installing a drip edge extension is a DIY project that isn't too hard. You can finish the job in a day for an average-sized home if you know how to use basic roofing tools and are comfortable on ladders.
But there are clear benefits to hiring a professional to do your roofing or gutters:
• Correct ways to put things in the right place and fasten them.
• Following the rules for building in the area.
• Guarantees on work and materials.
• Safe use of tall ladders and roof edges.
Professional installation is the safer choice if your roof is steep, tall, or hard to get to.
After Installation Care
Once your drip edge extension is up, you don't have to do much to keep it up. In short:
• To keep clogs from happening, clean your gutters twice a year.
• Check extensions once a year for signs of rust, damage, or loosening.
• If water starts to leak behind the gutters again, you should either reseal or replace the sections.
If you install a drip edge extension correctly, it should last as long as your roof.
Final Thoughts
A drip edge extension is a small part of your roof, but it makes a big difference in keeping your home safe from water damage. You can make sure that water always flows where it should by carefully installing gutters by measuring, overlapping, fastening, and aligning them.
Installing a drip edge extension is one of the cheapest ways to protect your home's foundation and make your roof last longer, whether you do it yourself or hire a professional.
If you've seen water going around your gutters, don't wait. Putting in a drip edge extension now can save you a lot of money on repairs later.