Roofing Glossary

Eave

The eave is the lower edge of your roof — the part that extends past the exterior wall of the house. It is the roof's first line of defense against rain, and the place where gutters, drip edge, soffit, and fascia all come together.

Eaves exist to throw water away from the walls and foundation. The wider the overhang, the better the protection — which is why homes with generous eaves tend to have fewer siding and foundation moisture issues. The underside of the eave is the soffit; the vertical face is the fascia.

Eaves take the worst of ice dam formation in winter because they extend past the heated house and stay cold. That is why ice-and-water shield membrane is typically installed along eaves during a roof replacement.

Why It Matters

Almost every water-management component of your roof meets at the eave. Problems here — rot, ice dams, overflowing gutters — tend to cascade into bigger issues, so eaves deserve attention during any roof inspection.

What to Watch For

• Icicles and ice ridges along the gutter line in winter
• Staining on the siding just below the eaves
• Gutters overflowing during rain

A Maryland Note

Maryland's freeze-thaw winters make eaves the prime spot for ice dams. Extending ice-and-water shield a few feet up from the eave is standard practice on Maryland roof replacements.

Questions about your own roof? Request a free estimate or call Nucci Brothers Roofing at (301) 458-1003.