Drip Edge

 

 

Maybe one of the biggest mistakes made in manufacturing mobile homes is how the roof was fastened to the siding, no eve.  It is just folded over the top of the siding and a “drip edge” is screwed on with putty behind it.  

You have had the roof covered in silver seal or tar, (not smart), and it still leaks! The leak is rarely the roof seam.   Most of the time it is the drip edge that is causing the problem.  The putty dries out and shrinks allowing water to enter that freezes forcing gaps that enables more water to enter and freeze and expand the problem.  

Most of the time you can tell if it is the drip edge that is leaking because the water is noticeable at the top edge of the inside wall.  But that doesn’t mean that is where the leak is located.  Water flows and it could be coming from just about anywhere.  

Now although the design is lousy, don’t blame the home. It’s been how many years since it was built?  Even stick houses need a new roof every 20 to 30 years.  It’s a lot less expensive to replace the drip edge than put on a new roof. 

So that’s what you do.  Remove the old drip edge and the old putty and clean the surface.  Put on new putty and then attach the new drip edge.  This usually stops those small annoying leaks for the next 20 to 30 years. 

We will be adding more subjects that can help improve your home and your investment.  

If you have some tips, please let us know so we can include them here.  

Send your tips to: postmaster@reallyneatstuffalaska.com 

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