Being "on the edge of disaster" or "on edge" conjures up visions of impending catastrophe or anxiety. Like in a movie car chase, when you are on the edge of your seat waiting for the car to go careening over the edge of the road. Or in a tense scene where the characters nerves are on the razors edge. Edgy comedians push the limits of social tolerance and good taste. In the world of home inspections an edge that is of interest is the edge of the roof.
The most important thing to me about the roof edge is to know where it is at all times, lest I walk off it. The next point of interest is how the roof edge has been finished.
The roof shingles cover and protect the wood sheathing underneath. What the shingles do not do particularly well is protect the edge of the roof. Water tends to cling to an edge, over time causing wear and eventually decay to occur to the wood trim and sheathing. The solution to this problem is to install a metal drip edge along these vulnerable points.
During a recent home inspection I found a roof that was almost certainly installed by a non professional and lacked drip edges. My first hint of a problem was the "finish" work on the edge of this portion of the roof. That is what I believe is called a droop edge.
When I ascended the roof I noticed the wood trim along the back side of the house along the roof looked a bit rough. Upon closer examination the shingles had been trimmed too close to the edge, sort of like over trimming your finger nail, exposing the wood. Of course a metal drip edge was missing. The solution;
Caulk.
As you can see caulk is not a very effective solution to a missing metal drip edge.
The entire roof lacked metal drip edges and was in general unprofessionally installed. It was also worn and needed to be replaced.
Hopefully this time by real roofing professionals who understand what belongs on the edge.
James Quarello
Connecticut Home Inspector
2010 - 2011 SNEC-ASHI President
NRSB #8SS0022
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC
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