What To Know About The Ice And Water Shield When Installing A New Roof
Does your building need a new roof installed, and you are being told that you also need to install a new ice and water shield? Here is what you need to know about this important part of any commercial roof.
What Does An Ice And Water Shield Do?
An ice and water shield is a type of material that adheres to the roof deck, and it acts as a waterproof membrane that is placed underneath the main roofing material in certain places. It's likely to be used in valleys, around places where there are objects sticking out of the roof, or when building codes require it due to the low pitch of the roof. Its job is to keep your roof deck dry in places where water has a high potential to get underneath the shingles, which stops water from getting into your home.
What Are The Different Types Of Ice And Water Shields?
There are a couple of different types of ice and water shield that can be used on your roof. Roof valleys tend to use materials that have a granular surface, low slopes will use a thin material, and there is even a variation that is designed to withstand high heat when placed under metal or slate roofing material. What makes it so unique is that it won't stick to the roofing material it is installed beneath it, so it can actually expand safely without moving the roofing material installed above it.
All of these materials have different prices. As they become more specialized, the material will be more expensive to purchase. The granular ice and water shield material is the cheapest option, followed by the smooth variation, and the high heat protection variation is the most expensive.
Does Ice And Water Shield Protect A Building From Ice Dams?
If your region sees cold temperatures regularly, you'll likely be required by the building code to install an ice and water shield to prevent ice dams from forming. This is put in places like the eaves and rakes of the roof and gives your building the added protection that it needs from very cold weather. If ice does get underneath the shingles, you have that additional protective barrier that protects the roof deck. If you are in a warmer part of the country, you won't be required to add additional ice and water protection.
Your roofing contractor can let you know more about how an ice and water shield can benefit your building. Contact a local commercial roofing company to learn more.