[Studly]

We have some bay windows on our upper level that jut out a couple feet over the lower level. However, the board that faces the ground on the exterior at the bottom of the bay windows is absorbing water and slowly rotting. It's only recessed about 1/2 inch from the bottom of the siding, so water is coming down the siding and wrapping around underneath to the board. I've caulked the seams and the places on the board that started to rot, but it seems I need some kind of drip edge at the bottom of the siding so the water stays off of the board that faces down.

Attached below are two photos of what I'm talking about.

What's the best way to add a drip edge? Should I put a trim board at the bottom of the siding to act as a drip edge or is there some kind of drip edge I can buy and slip under the bottom of the siding that won't look too bad?

Any tips or ideas would be appreciated!

 

[de-nagorg]

There are flashings and drip edges sold at all the "BOX " stores .

You need to look through the selection and pick out what you think will work best.



ED

 

[ChuckF.]

I'd be a little skeptical that water could roll down the siding and then turn up 1/2" to wet the bottom cover. Are you sure that water isn't getting to the bottom cover by some other path, like from the inside via bad caulk on the windows, trim, etc.

Anyway, if you can see a crack on the underside between the back of the siding and the bottom cover, you can jam some common Z-flashing up there. Jam it up in there and put a couple finishing nails through the front to keep it there.

 

[joecaption]

Looks like they may have installed that siding even with the soffit.
It should have been run past it a little bit to stop that capillary action.
A piece of aluminum drip edging should work, install it so the little curl on the end is facing down so the water will drip off of it before it gets to the wood.

 

[Studly]

I'd be a little skeptical that water could roll down the siding and then turn up 1/2" to wet the bottom cover. Are you sure that water isn't getting to the bottom cover by some other path, like from the inside via bad caulk on the windows, trim, etc.

Actually, I took another look and the siding goes down only about a 1/4" below that board, not 1/2 inch as I originally estimated.

 

[Studly]

Looks like they may have installed that siding even with the soffit.
It should have been run past it a little bit to stop that capillary action.
A piece of aluminum drip edging should work, install it so the little curl on the end is facing down so the water will drip off of it before it gets to the wood.

Do they make drip edging for siding with the little curl on the end? Or do I buy the stuff for roofs and just bend it?

Thanks for the helpful tips everyone!

 

[ChuckF.]

They call it Z-flashing, even though the angles are 90deg:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/10-ft-Galvanized-Steel-Siding-Z-Flash-17837/202526104

 

[Studly]

They call it Z-flashing, even though the angles are 90deg:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/10-ft-Galvanized-Steel-Siding-Z-Flash-17837/202526104

Thanks, much! It's helpful to see it.