Everything You Need To Know About Ice & Water Shields

With fall just around the corner, many homeowners will be replacing their roofs to get ready for the winter months, ensuring their home’s are properly protected from everything Massachusett’s has to throw at it. One of the most important steps of any roof replacement is installing and ice & water barrier, but many homeowners still don’t understand the importance of installing an ice & water shield on their home. Take a look at our blog to learn a bit more about them!

What Is An Ice & Water Shield

A waterproof membrane that is installed over your roof deck and underneath your shingles, ice & water shield was created to help keep your roof protected from water damage, particularly during the winter months! It is almost always used in new roof installations around at least the eaves, valleys, and vents in your roof, keeping it protected from roof leaks. 

Ice & water shield is constructed has an adhesive back, which after removing the protective film, adheres to your roof deck, creating a water-tight seal that keeps your home protected in the event that your shingles begin to leak water. Furthermore, it is designed to seal around nails as your shingles are installed onto your roof. However, it is important to remember that ice & water shield is not breathable, which means that if it is installed across your entire roof deck, proper roof ventilation is even more important to ensure your home is protected. 

Ice Dams

One of the most important reasons for homeowners to install an ice & water shield on your roof, particularly for Massachusetts homeowners, is how well it can keep your home protected from ice dams. 

Ice dams form in the winter when the heat from your home melts the snow on the roof, and it runs down your roof to your gutters where it re-freezes. As this continues to happen over the course of the winter, the ice backs up your roof until it eventually gets to a point where the melting water is still being held over your roof and it’s kept in liquid form. This can lead to expensive roof leaks, which is where ice & water shield comes in. Many New England contractors choose to install ice & water shield a few feet up from the edges of your roof to ensure that if ice dams form on your home during the winter, it will be properly protected from any leaks!

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in learning more about our ice & water shield installation services, reach out to our team at Burke Roofs today! We will replace your home’s roof and install an ice & water shield under your new roof! Reach out to our team today by calling us at (781) 246-5622 or by filling out our online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your roofing needs!