When we think about roof protection, we almost always focus on the bottom edge where the gutters are installed. It makes intuitive sense because that is where the bulk of the rainwater flows. However, at B. A. Harris Seamless Gutter, we often see significant, expensive rot happening on the "rake" edges—the sloped sides of your roof that form the gable peaks. It is a quiet, creeping kind of damage that many homeowners miss entirely until the paint starts peeling or the wood turns soft to the touch. We want to help you understand why this happens and how a simple metal addition can save your trim from ruin.

The problem stems from how water behaves on a shingle due to physics. While most water runs down toward the gutter, wind and surface tension can cause it to travel sideways. When a raindrop reaches the edge of the gable, it doesn't always drop straight to the ground. Instead, due to surface tension, it curls around the edge of the shingle and runs back underneath, tracking down the face of the rake board (the trim board running up the peak). This constant, trickling dampness is devastating for wood. It creates a path of rot that can extend from the peak of your roof all the way down to the eaves.

If you have noticed dark, vertical streaks or bubbling paint on these side boards, you are likely seeing the effects of this "wrap-around" moisture. It is particularly common on homes where the shingles don't overhang the edge far enough—a common shortcut in roofing installation. The wood never gets a chance to dry out completely because every rainstorm feeds water directly onto the surface. Over time, this leads to expensive carpentry repairs that could have been avoided. We have seen instances where the rot goes deep enough to affect the roof sheathing, turning a cosmetic fix into a structural nightmare.

The solution is an architectural detail that acts like a shield. A drip edge extension isn't just for the gutter line; it is critical for the rake edges too. This metal flashing slides under the shingles and extends slightly outward and downward, covering the top edge of the wooden rake board. It creates a sharp, metal break point. When water curls over the edge of the shingle, it hits the metal lip and drips free, falling harmlessly to the ground instead of running down the wood trim.

Installing a Drip Edge Extension on your gable ends is a proactive way to armor your home against the elements. It preserves your paint job, protects the structural wood underneath, and keeps the crisp, clean lines of your home’s architecture intact. It is a small adjustment that makes a massive difference in the longevity of your exterior trim, saving you from the frustration and cost of premature rot repair.

Conclusion Water often curls around the side edges of a roof due to surface tension, causing rot and paint failure on the rake boards. This damage is frequently overlooked but can lead to extensive repairs on gable ends, including sheathing replacement. Installing a metal drip edge extension on these rakes breaks the water's path, forcing it to drip clear of the wood and preserving the trim for years.

Call to Action Stop the rot on your gable ends. Contact B. A. Harris Seamless Gutter to install protection. Visit https://www.guttahs.com/ to schedule.