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.
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.
You can always apply a bead of paintable caulk between the backside of the gutter and fascia to fill the void with additional screws to minimize the fap. I have also used aluminum foil tape over the 'crack' between the back edge of the gutter and facial with great results, which lasted for quite a few years.
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…
Water can leak from soffits behind gutters if a gap between two soffit sections or insulation comes through from underneath. To fix this issue, use caulking to seal gaps and replace damaged insulation before reinstalling the gutter system.
A leaking gutter can be very annoying, especially if it is above a door. However, a bigger concern is the structural damage that a constant flow of water can do to your walls. Fortunately, with modern guttering, there are ways you can repair any damage yourself.
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.
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.
Before installing gutters, you should first place the fascia board, followed by the soffit. You can tackle the gutter installation after those two components are successfully in place. You can opt for several kinds of materials and styles for your fascia, soffit, and gutters.
Once the gutter is in the correct position, do this to prevent water from seeping behind the gutter: Load the silicone caulk tube into a caulk gun. Apply a continuous bead of caulk along the joint between the top edge of the gutter and the fascia board.
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.
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.
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.
Scrub the area around the joint with a plastic scouring pad. Then wipe down the area with rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol. Apply DAP Ultra Clear Flexible All Purpose Waterproof Sealant to the inside of the gutter at the endcap joint or along a seam. DAP Ultra Clear provides a 100% waterproof and weatherproof seal.
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.
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.
If your fascia board is attached to a drip edge, remove it carefully using a pry bar or utility knife. The drip edge helps protect the fascia board against water damage and directs water away from the roof decking.
Another place that should never be caulked is the space between the siding and the flashing above a window; this piece of flashing is often referred to as drip flashing, drip cap, or head flashing. Caulking this opening shut is a very common defect, even on new construction. Why not caulk here?
A common mistake is installing gutters that are too level or have an incorrect slope. If gutters don't slope correctly, water can pool and overflow, potentially causing damage to your home's foundation, roof, or siding.
Gutters are an essential part of any home. They ensure water properly drains off of your roof, helping to protect the roof, siding, landscaping, and foundation from water damage. On average, gutters need to be replaced every 20 years.
Normally, rain gutters can manage water during low to moderate levels of rainfall with no problem. However, if your gutter system overflows easily or constantly, it might be facing issues that make it ineffective at doing its job.
Leaves or debris clogging the gutters
Leaves, stones and other debris can collect in the gutters obstructing the flow of rainwater. As this water has no place to go, it may start dripping along the sides and collect around the foundation of your home.
Make sure the gaskets (seals) are completely free of dirt or debris. Dry the union and set aside. Take a clean cloth and remove any silicone from the ends of the two sections of exposed guttering. Replace the gutter union by clipping it back in place, fitting it back up to the expansion line.