Gap Where Dormer Siding Meest the Roofline
Hello! I just became a first-time homeowner in the end of May. About a month ago we noticed some wasps had taken up residence in a small area where the siding of our gable dormers stops short of the shingled roof. I believe I can see like boards in between this area, but as it's on my roof it's hard to tell for certain. This house is a 2 story Cape Cod, originally built in 1933, and has a roof that's less than 10 years old, in good shape, with asphalt shingles. The siding is aluminum.
At any rate, we had the wasps sprayed for and that's taken care of, but now I'm wondering if I should somehow seal that area where they were nesting? They were paper wasps, so it's not like they'd "return to the mother-ship", so to speak, but they might find it equally tempting next spring. Alternatively I could proactively spray for wasps at the beginning of the season, but I'm trying to do the best long-term, most cost-effective thing.
I think that maybe some sparrows found this area attractive in nesting season (when we were looking at the house) as well, but they left once they were through.
My question is - should I seal this area, or does it need to ventilate/breathe? There is a room that contains the space in the dormers, not just attic. There is attic around and above it, however. If I should seal this gap, do I use expanding caulk or should I try some sort of flashing instead? I will try to get up on the roof perhaps and get some pics if that would be more helpful, but it may storm here so I'm not sure when I'll be able to.
Thanks in advance to all, and if this is inappropriate and there's a better community/site for me to ask this, please point me there!
Edit: I found this best practices brochure, and I'm still confused on what should be vs what I have going on. They mention leaving a gap between shingles and siding, but I think my gap is bigger than they recommend maybe? They say 1/2 an inch, and mine is looking more like 2 inches, or from the ground it seems that way anyway.
Edit #2:
At any rate, we had the wasps sprayed for and that's taken care of, but now I'm wondering if I should somehow seal that area where they were nesting? They were paper wasps, so it's not like they'd "return to the mother-ship", so to speak, but they might find it equally tempting next spring. Alternatively I could proactively spray for wasps at the beginning of the season, but I'm trying to do the best long-term, most cost-effective thing.
I think that maybe some sparrows found this area attractive in nesting season (when we were looking at the house) as well, but they left once they were through.
My question is - should I seal this area, or does it need to ventilate/breathe? There is a room that contains the space in the dormers, not just attic. There is attic around and above it, however. If I should seal this gap, do I use expanding caulk or should I try some sort of flashing instead? I will try to get up on the roof perhaps and get some pics if that would be more helpful, but it may storm here so I'm not sure when I'll be able to.
Thanks in advance to all, and if this is inappropriate and there's a better community/site for me to ask this, please point me there!
Edit: I found this best practices brochure, and I'm still confused on what should be vs what I have going on. They mention leaving a gap between shingles and siding, but I think my gap is bigger than they recommend maybe? They say 1/2 an inch, and mine is looking more like 2 inches, or from the ground it seems that way anyway.
Edit #2: