How to install drip edge on an existing roof
Installing a drip edge on an existing shingle roof requires finding reliable instructional videos, as many homes are built without one. Homeowners trying to add this flashing before putting up gutters often have to search for the correct method to retrofit it properly.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- People have been saying this in most months since September 2026.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
How to install drip edge on an existing roof
- 1Looking up instructional videos on YouTubeDid this help you?
- 2Getting the entire roof redone by another companyDid this help you?
- 3Paying for a very slow and expensive repair that voids existing warrantiesDid this help you?
- 4Leaving the roof as is without adding a drip edge if the shingle overhang is minimalDid this help you?
- 5Carefully lifting shingles, cleaning out nails, and re-nailing them to install the drip edgeDid this help you?
- 6Tacking the flashing under the shingles with roofing nails so the shingles lay flat.Did this help you?
- 7Using foam closures and caulking instead of fully flashing if it is just a patio overhang.Did this help you?
- 8Using asphalt sealant to patch holes created by pulling existing nails through.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I got 10 inch flashing and from my understanding im supposed to lift up the shingles and place flashing under the shingles, then the flashing goes on top of r panels. Flashing gets screwed on top of r panels with lap screws and then I screw in the flashing with the screws shown in the pic is this correct?”source ↗
“Just bought a home with a newer roof but I later noticed there is no drip edge installed.”source ↗
“Would the attached YouTube video be the best way to install a drip edge with an existing shingle roof?”source ↗
“Looking for a how to video or something similar on installing pipe flashing on an existing wood shingled roof. Ive seen plenty of videos about doing this with asphalt shingles but cant seem to find any about wood shingles.”source ↗
“Installing drip edge afterwards is a huge pain. And there’s not really a good way to do it right without removing the shingles and starter strip along all the edges.”source ↗
“I forgot to specify I wanted drip edge on the 2 rake sides. The shingles do overlap those sides at least 1/2”. Would it be trivial to add it myself now after the fact or should I just leave it?”source ↗
“all the shingles have to be carefully lifted clean out the nails and re-nail them and it will stick out 0.028 inches from the facia.”source ↗
“I dont think overlap is that much. It may be an inch at most, I havent measured it. I think Ill leave it as is then.”source ↗
“Ok is it correct to pull up the shingles as much as I can. I believe I did that on one section and ripped the shingles through the nail. Was just curious how they were attached”source ↗
“just do not know whether to screw on top of shingles or try to do it under.”source ↗
“So roofer didnt put in drip edges during roof replacement and I’m trying to ask other companies for a quote to put them but they tell me I have to get whole roof redone because they shouldnt be retrofitted- is this true?”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
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