Should water be dripping between gutter and fascia? No, there should not be any water leaking between the gutter and fascia.
To prevent water from getting between the gutters and the fascia the gutter need to either be adjusted so it goes up behind the drip edge or the gap between them would need to be sealed. One option is to slide strips of metal up behind the gutter and then over the top of the back of the gutter.
Drip edge should be installed at least a 1/4'' away from the fascia. The purpose of drip edge is to catch run behind from the shingle and it 'drips' into the gutter. If the drip edge is against the home that water will run down the fascia or behind the gutter. Gutters should always be installed BEHIND the drip edge.
The most common reason why your gutters drip is due to clogged gutters… If you haven't cleaned your gutters in a while, debris will build up and slow or stop the flow of water out of your gutters and into your downspouts… The water can't get out quick enough so it starts to drip…
You can use a sealant designed specifically for this purpose or you can use roofing cement. Apply the sealant to the underside of the drip edge and press it down firmly against the gutter.
No, there should not be a gap between the drip edge and the fascia board. If there is a noticeable gap, it could indicate that either the drip edge or the fascia needs to be adjusted so that they align properly with each other.
Silva recommends installing the drip edge so the edge of the roof is 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 inches away from your fascia board. This way, water can drop freely instead of seeping back into the fascia. “It won't drop if it does get blown in there from wind, but it's really not going to be surface tension,” Silva says.
Leaks can develop at gutter endcaps and seams. When determining how to fix a leaking gutter joint, first scoop or scrape out any debris that may have accumulated around the endcap or seam. Scrub the area around the joint with a plastic scouring pad. Then wipe down the area with rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol.
It is recommended that gutters are placed under or 'behind' the drip edge of your roof. A drip edge refers to a component that hangs over the roof and has an outward projecting lower edge.
There is no way to replace the fascia board without removing the gutters, as the gutters are mounted to the board. So, your roofers will carefully remove the gutters.
If you want them to blend in, choose a shade that matches your roof or the soffit and fascia. If you want to accentuate a pop of color or highlight the outline of your roof, coordinate your gutters with the trim. A few complementary colors can be modern and exciting, but too many can appear busy and over the top.
Condensation Versus Leaks
One key way to tell whether you have condensation or a leak is to pay attention to when the moisture appears. If the moisture appears during or after a rain storm, it's probably due to a leak. On the other hand, condensation tends to show up during the winter months or a cold spell.
Apply a continuous bead of caulk along the joint between the top edge of the gutter and the fascia board. Use your finger to smooth the caulk, and make sure the gap is completely covered. Allow the caulk to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Sometimes, homeowners can be surprised when they hear their clogged gutters have caused their roof to leak. Gutters are meant to siphon water off your roof and away from your property, via a downspout. When a gutter becomes stuffed with leaves, twigs and other debris, the water has nowhere else to go.
Water leaking, dripping, or overflowing from a gutter close to a downspout is an indication that the downspout is likely clogged. Water that is not able to drain through the downspout is forced to fill the gutters and eventually escape by leaking or overflowing.
How to tell if gutters are installed correctly? Properly installed gutters should consistently handle rainwater without any leaks, pooling, or overflowing. You also shouldn't see any gaps between the gutters and fascia board, and the gutter should be level.
Problem #1: Clogged Gutters and Downspouts
Perhaps the most common gutter problem of all, clogging occurs when debris accumulates in the gutter and downspouts, blocking the flow of water and causing it to get backed up. This can result in leaks and damage to attic insulation, as well as your home's foundation.
If there is water dripping between gutter and fascia, it may be because your drip edge is laying too flat. It's supposed to lean slightly downwards to naturally keep the water flowing from the roof to the gutter.
The types of pros who take on this work include roofers, carpenters, and gutter experts. You can even call a contractor you've worked with before—a variety of handy people have soffit repair in their skillset.
By far, a majority of roofing leaks can be traced back to ice dams. In short, an ice dam is a thick ridge of ice that forms along the eaves of your roof when heavy winter precipitation hits. As the buildup accumulates, it can compromise your gutters and cause your roof to leak.
According to Owen's Corning Roofer's Guide to Installation, “2012 International Residential Code (IRC) requires drip edge at the eaves and rake edge of the roof. The IRC has required drip edge since the 2009 edition”.
However, this gap should be minimal to prevent water from infiltrating behind the fascia board, leading to water damage and rot.
The correct placement of a roof drip edge is on top of the roof's exterior cover directly between the sheathing and the fascia board, which forms a drainage gap between the drip edge and the fascia board. As a result, the drainage improves water flow and protects the roof from potential water damage.