Gutter Apron

DePasquale

Due to a wind storm, I recently had a new roof put on our home (built in 1996). I then had a different contractor put a new 6" gutter system on the back side of our home. While doing so, he indicated that there was no gutter apron and we really should have one to ensure proper water drainage from the roof to the gutter. He then went on to say, "It looks like you had a new roof put on, and they should have installed one as part of the new roof system."

When I contacted the roofing contractor he explained that due to the age of our home, we did not have a gutter apron on the original construction and they did not install one when they replaced the roof. I asked why his company would have not pointed this out to me? I did not recieve a real good answer.

So my basic question is as follows: Would a gutter apron fall into the scope of a replacement roof or should it be in the scope of the new gutter system? I would have thought that it would have been in the scope of the new roof?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

Michael Thomas

Many shingle manufacturers do not require drip edges at the eaves - Certainteed's Shingle Applicators Manual for example requires shingles to overhang rakes and eaves to a certain extent if you use a drip edge, and a different extent if you do not, so it appears both are acceptable to the manufacturer.

You will get some disagreement between various AJHs over whether IRC 903.2.2 requires a drip edge at the rakes, eaves or both - based on what I've read on the various home inspection and roofing boards it appears that communities in cold climates are most likely to require eave and rake flashings.

Assuming that neither your shingle manufacturer nor local AHJ requires them, your installation may meet the all manufacturer's and local code requirements - but IMO such an installation does not meet the standard of "industry best practice".

By that standard, IMO whether there is to be a gutter or not there should have been a drip edge. And if water proof underlayment (ex: Ice and Water Shield) was installed, it should have gone over the drip edge.

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BamBamm5144

To answer your question, it should have been noticed by the roofing company and put on by the roofing company.

Just last week I did a job where there was no gutter apron put on. The HO saw no water damage on the inside but the bottom foot or two of all the plywood is rotten and needed replacement.

Slyfox

I partially agree with BamBamm,
the roofers sales rep should have noticed and included the installation of it in the estimate and if he/she didn't than the roofers should have stopped and informed you of the situation and given you the option of the added on cost.

Many areas 'such as mine' do not require gutter apron or drip edge to be installed at the eaves or rakes and the roof sheathing and fascia boards hold up just fine with out leaking, except in cases in which the shingles or underlayment isn't installed properly.

So I would check your area codes to see if it's a requirement in your area or not.
You can do so at your cities administration building.

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