What You Need to Know About Ice and Water Shields

Your roof comprises several materials and components that work together to make a comprehensive roof system. Ice and water shields are one of these critical roofing components. An ice and water shield is a water-resistant sheath that is applied to your roof to protect it from ice and water damage. Its primary function is to protect your roof decking if water penetrates beneath your roofing covering (asphalt shingles, metal roof, etc.). 

Ice and water shields should be built on or around particular portions of your roof, such as roof valleys, around penetrations, and on roofs with a 2:12 or 4:12 pitch. Because of its significance, every roof must have it. There is also a code if you live above the snow line in the United States. This code mandates an ice and water shield along the edges of your roof to avoid leaks from ice damming after a large snow or ice storm. 

If you reside in a snowy location, you should have two rows of ice and water shield along your roof’s rakes and eaves per local requirements.

Granular or sand surface ice and water shield is the thinnest of the three types and is utilized in roof valleys. Even though it isn’t as thick, it performs the same function and does it effectively. On low-slope roofs, smooth surface ice and water protection is employed. This kind is appropriate for the circumstance described in the first section, where a roof has a pitch of 2/12, 3/12, or 4/12. 

The high-heat ice and water shield is made of cotton-like fibers and is mostly used on metal roofs. It will not stick to metal when it expands and shrinks due to the substance it is constructed of. This prohibits the metal panels from destroying the integrity of the ice and water. While high-heat ice and water shields are utilized on metal, they are also used to offer further protection to premium roof systems.

You may also update your replacement by installing an ice and water barrier around the roof’s edges. You could think this isn’t essential, and if you live somewhere where it never snows, you’re right. However, water may enter your home if it snows heavily in your area. The fact is that you have no choice but to wait for the snow and ice to melt off your roof to halt the leak.

When getting a roof replacement, you can prevent leaks from ice damming by adding ice and water shield at the edges of your roof.

The price of roofing materials fluctuates frequently, and it can differ depending on the area you live in. This makes it hard to give an accurate estimate for ice and water shields. Granular ice and water shield start at $50, while high-heat ice and water shields cost around $125. 

For more information on ice and water shields, visit a qualified Raleigh roofing company today.