Do I need a roof ice and water shield? | Hoosier Contractors (2024)

FAQs

Do you really need ice and water shield? ›

It's crucial to have ice and water shield installed on/around certain areas of your roof, like roof valleys, around penetrations, and on roofs that have a 2/12, 3/12, or 4/12 pitch. Because of its importance, every roof needs to have it.

If ice dams form on your roof, then you run the risk of serious leaks and water intrusion, which leads to water spots, mold, mildew, and health issues for your family. Not to mention, you'll have to replace parts of your roofing system and repair any interior damage done by the melting snow and ice.

1.2 Ice barriers. In areas where there has been a history of ice forming along the eaves causing a backup of water as designated in Table R301.

That said, you can cover your entire roof with an ice and water shield, and it could help prevent leaks if you live in an area with extreme winds.

According to our research, a reputable ice and water shield should cost around $300 for the material, which is an average cost of $4.72 per square foot. The installation cost is typically more, falling between $265 and $280, but this depends on your area.

Ice & Water Shield® HT has been formulated and tested to be UV stable for up to 120 days, ensuring the building stays safe and dry during long and unpredictable construction cycles. It delivers the schedule flexibility you need and the waterproofing performance you trust.

For metal roofing, the underlayment must be high-heat ice and water shield.

Can It Get Wet? Yes! So long as the underlayment has been installed correctly to ensure that it forms a watertight barrier, and as long as it hasn't been left exposed to the elements too long, ice and water shield can get wet.

Answer - Not in the handyman's opinion. An Ice & Water Shield is a rubberized strip that must be applied over bare sheathing; not only will it stick better on the bare sheathing, but it will present a more neat appearance. So, shingles should be removed three feet up from the eaves.

Protecting 2 million roofs in 25 countries. GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® has protected the roofs of over 2 million homes, and been installed on marquee projects in 25 countries, since its introduction in 1978.

Should I have 1 or 2 rows of ice and water shield? ›

If you have more than a 2′ overhang you should have a 2nd row of Ice & Water Shield, meaning 6′. with caution as long as there is extra ventilation, as having an entire roof covered in Ice & Water may actually cause condensation to build up in the attic space.

To ideally check, one would have to peek underneath the shingles at the edge of the roof. There, beneath the shingles and past the starter strip, you should be able to spot the ice and water shield—a vital component for preventing water damage.

In areas where the risk of either ice dams or wind-driven rain is severe, it is sometimes recommended, or mandatory, to install ice and water protector over the entire roof, regardless of pitch.

For these roofs, two rows of ice and water shield are usually adhered along the bottom six feet of a roof, with additional ice and water shield put down along the valleys (where two roof sections meet at a compound angle).

Where on the roof is ice and water shield installed? In addition to installing it along the edge of the overhangs (about 6-9 feet up the roof), a good roofer will almost always put ice & water shield in the valleys of your roof, and in some cases it should be installed along the eaves as well.

While metal roofing needs high heat ice and water shield as underlayment, it's also commonly installed with premium roof systems like synthetic, slate, and cedar shake.

- Self-adhering ice and water barriers may be required by code. ZIP System tape is not considered a replacement for self-adhering ice and water barriers. Therefore, when self-adhering ice and water barriers are required, they should be installed in addition to ZIP System tape.

While underlayment is water resistant, it is not moisture-tight like an ice and water shield.

A starter strip is installed over the underlayment and the ice and water shield along the edges of your roof since these areas are particularly susceptible to water leaks and harsh winds. These shingles have a strip of tar adhesive to prevent your shingles from blowing off in harsh weather conditions.