We Answer: What is Ice Guard & Water Shield on a Roof?

What is ice guard? How about water shield?

Your roof has one purpose and one purpose only, to protect your home from water and mother nature. However, more often than not, since it is out of sight and out of mind, we may overlook what’s genuinely going on above! To mitigate challenges with mother nature, the roofing industry came out with innovations to serve homeowners with an extra security deposit to protect the structural integrity of their roofs.

This is why an ice guard and water shields are so vital to your home’s roof. If you have never heard of ice guards/water shields, you’re not alone!

Today we will have an in-depth discussion on what you need to know to keep ahead of the curve when it comes to your roof’s ice and water protectors!

First, what is ice guard?

An ice guard is a waterproof layer membrane designed to protect vulnerable areas of your roof, including, but not limited to, your gutters, roof deck, eaves, etc., to prevent ice damming and leak protection from melted water as snow melts. Installing ice dams ensure your roof is equipped to prevent water damage!

3 Types of Ice and Water Shields:

Ice and water shields come in different forms as noted:

1. Granular/Sand Surface – Thinnest water shield on the marketplace this is used in roof valleys on the roof deck (see more about replacing roof decking here).
2. Smooth Surface – Designed for low slope roofs with a roof pitch from 2/12-4/12.
3. High Heat – Primarily used for a metal roof and designed with cotton-like fibers, which allows it unique properties to expand in warmer temperatures and contract.

Ice and Water Damage: The Ice dam – A Common Enemy:

Ice dams are no laughing matter!

To give you a better idea: An ice dam is when a ridge of ice at the roof’s edge along the gutter system (drip edge) forms a blockage and prevents water drainage as snow melts. This puts your roofing material (shingles, etc.), exterior wall, and so forth at considerable risk because water backs up, seeps through nail holes, causes leaks, and over time can compromise the structural integrity of your home.

An Ice and water shield acts when you abide by their installation instructions, as water protectors are at your disposal to prevent leaks and ice damage!

>> See More: Common Causes of Roof Leaks

Does ice guard prevent ice dams?

A resounding yes! An ice guard, as mentioned, is essential a roof fixture that prevents ice dams from forming on edges around your entire roof (when adequately installed, taking into account variables such as the size of the roof, etc.). Ice dams form without an ice guard because your roof can’t adequately cover wind-driven rain in freezing temperatures.

The ice guard allows for the continuous melting of snow since there is a heat component to its design! Keep in mind snow and ice do not have to determine the fate of your roof, and if you live in an area where there are severe storms and severe weather is a constant as a whole, the decision to install an ice guard can make all the difference!

How long does an ice and water shield last?

You are looking at decades of use for ice and water shields with proper installation. However, because they are a membrane that are covered by your home’s roofing materials, direct exposure tells an entirely different story! When that’s the case, lifespan can be anywhere between 30-90 days, depending on the type on mother nature.

An ice and water shield is an ice and water protector that is very durable. Ice shield and water shields have a unique design and setup for their ventilation system as they have a vapor barrier to ensure proper and adequate ventilation year-round as opposed to the use of roof felt paper as a roof covering as some will use.

Note: Installation of an ice and water shield is ideal in warmer temperatures/seasons because you can get a better watertight seal!

>> See More: Roof Financing Options

How can I get an Ice and water shield installed on my house?

For your new roof or existing roof, an ice and water shield can be installed by a local roofing contractor/roofing company. While geographic areas may provide differences in services available, you won’t be too hard-pressed to find such services in your area.

Cost: What should you expect?

The cost of an ice and water shield/ice guard will vary based on labor and supply and demand, among other things; however, the average installation will be around $240-$280. It seems like a worthy investment if it can deter thousands of dollars in damages, and it sure does!

What’s the Verdict?

If you live in an area where there is severe weather or the potential of that, you know very well you should plan ahead to protect your home and if not, I am confident you would still agree proper prior planning prevents poor outcomes. Getting an ice and water shield or an ice guard proves its worth when the unexpected happens!

It’s more than just an ice and water protector. Rather a protector of structural damage that could set you back on time, money, and peace of mind. If you have any questions or see the value of ice and water shields/ice guards, feel free to give us a call, and we can point you in the right direction!