Q – My gutters all seem to work fine except for one short run. Water drips behind the gutter in this area?

What causes that? Do I need a new roof?

Frank in Alpharetta

A – It sounds, at first blush, like you are having some 'drip edge' issues along that one little spot where the water is coming behind the gutter.

A drip edge is a piece of metal, plastic or vinyl, preferably non-corrosive, which extends from the bottom of the roof edge into the gutter.

It allows for water to run down the shingles and drain into the gutter, or cleanly off the roof rather than running down your fascia board.

It also helps to prevent a gap between the top of your fascia and your roof deck, a gap that is seen by many creatures as an invitation to inhabit your attic.

Here are two reasons why you should get this repaired sooner rather than later.

First issue. Water that runs behind your gutter tends to rot the wood behind your gutter which will eventually make it difficult to keep your gutters hanging properly and is the precursor of many more problems.

Second issue. Squirrels, rats, mice, you name it will looooove to live in your house. This could be how the drip edge disappeared in the first place – been chewed through by critters.

Call a quality roofing company. The best ones offer a free roof analysis and they will spot this pretty quick. If it isn’t too bad you may even get a quick fix right then and there. It could also, however, be happening in other places that you haven’t noticed and might be a little bigger job.

Do you need a new roof? Dunno.

The free roof analysis will tell you that. If you just need a little drip edge repair then no. If your inspection turns up bigger issues, then maybe.

Either way – fix the drip.