Does your roof have ice and water shield?
When people think about “getting a new roof” they often think of what color the new roof will be and how it’ll look on the house, but a new roof is composed of many layers of products that will help protect your home. Most people aren’t familiar with all the components that make up a fully functional midwest roofing system, but knowing these parts and pieces will help you make an informed decision and ensure you get a quality roof that will stand the test of time.
What is Ice and Water Shield?
One of the most important components of your roofing system is the ice and water barrier.
Ice and water shield is a self-adhering membrane that is placed on the most vulnerable areas of your roof to prevent leaks.
How to Install Ice and Water Shield
Ice and water barrier is installed along the eaves, valleys, around chimneys, skylights, or any other penetrations on your roof. It is a vital component of every single roof replacement project we do, quite frankly it’s too vital not to use. It is also part of the state building code and manufacturers’ specifications in order to keep your warranty in good standing. The Ohio State Building code requires the installation of ice & water barrier 24” inside the warm wall of your home, this code is over 10 years old which is why many of the roofs we replace don’t have this vital component on them.
What Does Ice and Water Shield Do?
Ice and water barrier protects your home from ice dams and water infiltration into the home. An ice dam forms when your roof gets warm enough to melt the snow and ice that sits on the roof. The melted snow liquifies and flows into the area where the snow and the ice has frozen along the gutter line. When this liquid freezes and thaws then refreezes which can cause water to back up into your home and fracture the seal on your shingles, creating a pathway for water to leak into your home. The ice and water shield is installed along the eaves to prevent water infiltrating leaks from damming ice and snow backups.
The valley areas of your roof are another area that is critically important to have an ice and water barrier installed in. The importance of protecting this area is critical because the valleys are “high traffic” areas of your roof because the valleys are formed when two sections of the roof come together. With some of the storms we experience here in Central Ohio, the volume of rainwater can cause the leaks serious enough to cause interior damage.
In the winter, during the freeze/ thaw cycles when two roof planes that have snow and/or ice packed in them draining towards the gutters then refreezing in the valley area it increases the likelihood of a leak on an unprotected roof. Whenever we install a new roofing system in Columbus, Gahanna, Worthington, Westerville, Lewis Center, or any other area in Central Ohio we always fully protect our clients home by using ample ice and water barrier on our roof repairs, roof replacements and new roof installations.
Why You Need Ice and Water Shield
As we discussed earlier any penetrations through the roof should have ample protection from an ice and water shield around them to ensure maximum protection. These areas include exhaust vents, skylights and chimney areas often leak first and require a roof repair.
A professional roofing contractor knows that ice and water barrier is a critical part of any roof that gets installed in Central Ohio. If your contractor isn’t discussing the critical elements of a roofing system like ice and water shield, then contact the professionals at Best Exteriors, Inc.
Protect Your Roof from Ice Dams
The harsh midwest winters can do a number on a roof and leave it susceptible to leaks. This is why it is critical to get a quality roof installed so you can sleep well at night knowing your family and home are protected from the elements.
If you are looking for a quality roofing contractor in the Central Ohio area, make sure to give our team a call at Best Exteriors. Not only will we exceed your expectations, but we will ensure your roof is built to last for years to come. To learn more about, contact us today! We would love to hear from you!
