Gap Between Wall Sheathing and Roof Sheathing

LESLIE: Now we’ve got John in Pennsylvania who’s calling in with an insulation question. What can we do for you today, John?

JOHN: I’ve got a question concerning installing insulation in my attic.

LESLIE: OK.

TOM: OK.

JOHN: Do I need to protect the gap between the roof sheathing and the sheathing of the wall? The house does not have an overhang; it’s a simple gable roof with vents at either end and a ridge vent. But where the wall sheathing meets the roof sheathing, there is a gap of approximately 1/8 of an inch. And I was advised that that gap should be protected by a home inspector.

TOM: Now, wait a minute. So you’re talking about – you’re going to reroof and you have a gap between the wall sheathing and the roof sheathing. And isn’t the roof going to go over that gap and hang over the outside wall?

JOHN: Well, the gap is between the underside of the roof sheathing and the wall sheathing. There is, essentially, no overhang.

TOM: Yeah, I understand what you’re saying but I don’t understand. The sheathing is not part of – is he worried about water getting in?

JOHN: No. The question is is for insulation purposes, do I need to keep that …?

TOM: Nah. No, no, no, no, no.

LESLIE: So that doesn’t act like a soffit vent? That little gap?

TOM: No. No. I wouldn’t worry about that.

JOHN: OK.

TOM: I don’t think it’s an issue.

JOHN: So that – I noticed that if I installed drip – a drip edge on the roof when I haven’t reroofed, that gap is going to be closed by the drip edge.

TOM: That’s my point. Yeah, you can roof right over that.

JOHN: OK.

TOM: OK?

JOHN: OK, that answers my question.

TOM: (overlapping voices) There you go. Good luck with that project. Thanks so much for calling us at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.