The roof drains the largest amount of incoming water from the home. It must present a watertight surface to the weather, protecting the home from water intrusion. Here are some Best Practices® for installing four important roofing components that help direct water down and away from a home:

• Drainage plane. Use a layer of water-resistant roofing underlayment to create an effective drainage plane. Install it shingle style by starting at the lowest point on a surface and overlapping each succeeding material 2” at the horizontal seams and 4” at the vertical seams.
• Flashing. This thin strip of water-resistant material will channel water flow down the roof and away from the home. Install it wherever water moving down the roof has to change direction, such as at roof penetrations and roof-to-wall intersections.
• Drip edges. A drip edge is a type of flashing that protects the sheathing and fascia boards at the roof’s edge, as well as helps water drip clear of the underlying exterior wall. Install a drip edge at the eaves on top of the sheathing, so the roofing underlayment can then be layered over it. Install a drip edge at the rakes over the roofing underlayment.
• Gutters. A gutter is a trough at the roof’s edge that collects bulk water. Install gutters at all eaves. They should be installed 1" away from the exterior finish on any adjoining walls.

For more in-depth information on managing water on a shingle roof, see our related article “When it rains, it pours.” And, for additional Best Practices® for managing water at roofs, sign your team up for BuildIQ University’s online training course, Water Management: Roofs.