What Drip Edge Does
Drip edge is a metal flashing — typically 26-gauge galvanized steel or aluminum — installed along the eave and rake edges of a roof deck. Its purpose is to direct water away from the fascia and roofing substrate, preventing moisture intrusion at the most vulnerable points of the roof perimeter. Without it, water can wick under shingles and destroy the fascia, soffit, and decking below.
The Code Requirement (IRC R905.2.8.5)
The International Residential Code R905.2.8.5, adopted by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, requires drip edge on all new and re-roofing projects. But the specific installation method differs by location — and this is where carriers and adjusters consistently miss the mark:
- ●Eave edges: Drip edge must be installed UNDER the underlayment — so that wind-driven rain behind the shingles drains off the fascia rather than absorbing into the decking.
- ●Rake edges (gable ends): Drip edge must be installed OVER the underlayment — directing water away from the gable end and preventing wind uplift.
A single 'drip edge' line item in your Xactimate estimate almost certainly doesn't account for both configurations. A code-compliant installation is two separate operations with different sequencing requirements — they should appear as separate line items.
What This Means for Your Claim
If your estimate has one drip edge line or none at all, you're missing $400–800 in legitimate restoration costs on a typical Colorado Springs home. That's before accounting for the 2026 PPRBD update that changes the sequencing relationship between Ice & Water shield and drip edge on the eave.
How to Get Drip Edge Added to Your Claim
- ●Request a copy of your Xactimate estimate from the carrier and look for any drip edge line items.
- ●If missing, file a code supplement request citing IRC R905.2.8.5 and your PPRBD permit requirements.
- ●Attach your local building permit — every re-roofing permit in El Paso County requires drip edge installation.
- ●If the adjuster resists, our team can write a formal code supplement letter with photographic documentation of the existing non-compliant installation.
Why Carriers Miss It
Adjuster software is often pre-configured with templates. Many residential re-roofing templates simply don't include drip edge by default — not because it's excluded from coverage, but because it wasn't part of the template the adjuster was trained on. Once it's in writing with a code citation, carriers rarely contest it. The code language is too clear to argue.
We Document Drip Edge on Every Audit
Our forensic audit includes a code compliance check for drip edge — current condition, material, and code conformance. This documentation goes directly into your claim package. Adjusters who receive our file know the line item is coming. It almost never gets challenged.