What Is A DRIP EDGE?

Ever notice that ugly splash-back of soil that stains the foundation of your home?

Ever have issues with termites or carpenter ants?

Ever get water seepage through your basement?

Ever notice rotted trim, sills, or window frames along the foundation of your house?

These are all the result of moisture retention at the base of your home.

Loam, compost, mulch and thick plantings allow moisture to hang out like a damp sponge against your house.

Your home is likely your largest investment and asset. The last thing you want is unnecessary repairs when a simple solution exists.

Drip edges are a fool proof way to keep the foundation safe. AND according to the Massachusetts Fire Marshall, there is another reason to think about a drip edge.

Most homes landscapes are over mulched. That deep dry mulch hanging out at the base of your home can be a fire hazzard. Stephen Coan, the Massachusetts Fire Marshall has now banned mulch for housing complexes with over 6 units. Of course a big reason for this is the potential of discarded cigarettes igniting the mulch.

Coan suggests that even single family homes consider a stone edge around the foundation as a method of fire prevention. This doesn't mean you have to give up mulch, shrubs or perennials at your foundation. Just give the house a little breathing room with a neat stone edge. We like to install them with steel edging to keep the stone in a crisp line and to keep a maintenance line between garden and stone.

This ban is news to us here at The Garden Continuum, but we love our drip edges because they look sharp and clean and are easy to care for. It is interesting to have a new application for them.

We are always interested in your feed back. Post your comment and let us know what you think about this new ban - in effect now. And of course how you like the idea of a drip edge as a tried and true drainage solution.

Read what State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan says about mulch.

Happy Gardening!