It only takes one winter on Michigan’s northwest peninsula to realize how harsh winters can be. Snow, ice, wind, and occasional thaws during these long months test every part of a home, especially the roof. For homeowners, preparing their roofs for these conditions is essential to keeping the home safe and dry through the long, cold season.
Fortunately for those living in climates with these challenges, there is a product that can protect vulnerable areas of the roof from the weather. Although it’s technically installed underneath the roof, ice and water shield is an added protective layer designed to protect against these weather challenges and the problems they can cause. This guide explains what ice and water shield is, how it works, and why it can be so beneficial in a climate like Michigan’s. So, if you are struggling with a leaking roof in the winter or are simply wondering what you might be able to do to prevent water from damaging your roof and home, this one’s for you.
What Is Ice and Water Shield?
Ice and Water Shield is an underlayment roofing professionals use as a waterproofing barrier beneath shingles and other roofing materials. Unlike traditional water-resistant roofing underlayment, ice and water shield goes further by self-adhering to the roofing deck to create a fully waterproof membrane. When properly installed, the membrane protects vulnerable areas of the roof from water intrusion. Ultimately, ice and water shield protects what is under the roofing material when water gets into places it shouldn’t. Think of it as the “belt and suspenders” of a watertight roof.
What Is Ice and Water Shield Made Of?
Ice and Water Shield is available from various manufacturers, and the specific product used can depend on the application. Still, it generally consists of a waterproof membrane combined with a rubberized asphalt (or similar) adhesive layer. The waterproof membrane resists water intrusion, but the adhesive backing is what sets ice and water shield apart from traditional underlayment materials.
The bottom side of Ice and Water Shield is sticky and self-adhering, with a protective, removable release film. When you pull the film away, it reveals a clean membrane that sticks firmly to the clean roof decking. One advantage of Ice and Water Shield is its ability to form a single, continuous protective layer that conforms to the roof shape, working beneath shingles instead of relying on the shingles themselves to keep water out.
How Ice and Water Shield Works
As the name suggests, ice and water shields’ primary job is to “shield,” or keep water from reaching the roof deck, especially in the areas most vulnerable to leaks. But how does it do it?
Although the roof is often thought of as one component of the home, it is actually a series of layers, each serving a different purpose. The outermost surface is commonly made of shingles, with an underlayment beneath them to serve as another layer of protection for the roof deck. The roof deck is the foundation of the roof’s structure that supports all other roofing materials. Like traditional underlayment, ice and water shield is installed beneath the shingles, directly on the roof deck, to create a watertight bond and protect everything below if the shingles fail. The additional protection of ice and water shield is particularly helpful in areas where water naturally collects on the roof, such as:
- Roof edges and eaves
- The valleys where two roof sections meet
- Around roof penetrations (chimneys, skylights, vents)
- Anywhere two slopes meet or intersect
Professionals offering roofing services may install ice and water shield in different locations depending on the roof design, the climate where the roof is being installed, and manufacturer requirements. For roofs in Michigan, ice and water shield can protect homes against one of winter’s worst enemies: ice dams.
Why Ice and Water Shield Is Important in Michigan
Local weather plays a leading role when a roofer recommends a certain roofing system to a homeowner. In Northern Michigan, including Traverse City, roofing professionals are all too aware of the weather conditions that demand superior protection, which this product is designed to offer.
Ice dams are a common nuisance (to say the least) in climates like ours. As snow accumulates on the roof throughout winter and heat escapes from living spaces inside, it melts and refreezes at the colder roof edge, forming an ice dam. Ice dams form as runoff refreezes at the roof edge, trapping additional snowmelt behind them. When this happens, water has nowhere to go and can seep under the shingles, saturating the roof deck if it isn’t waterproof. This is where ice and water shield shine. Without it, water can reach the roof deck, leading to:
- Rotting wood (roof deck and fascia)
- Damage to the insulation
- Ceiling stains, drywall damage, and water leaking indoors
- Mold and mildew growth
These issues can cost homeowners much more than roofing services; they can also lead to costly indoor repairs. Beyond snowy winters, consider wind-driven rain in the fall and blustery spring storms that roll off Lake Michigan. For this reason, many professionals recommend ice and water shield at eaves, in valleys, and around any roof penetrations for added protection against the elements.
Why Ice and Water Shield Is Not a Replacement for Proper Installation
Ice and water shield adds another layer of protection to homes across Michigan and other regions with similarly challenging climates. Still, it is only one part of a reliable roofing system. A roof still needs proper installation. From shingles to insulation, and from ventilation to roof penetrations, each piece of the puzzle must fit together seamlessly. Another key player is a properly installed and functioning drainage system. If any of these components has a problem, it can also contribute to leaks and premature deterioration that ice and water shield cannot compensate for.
The proper installation of ice and water shield is just as important as the other layers. Although the membrane is not applied over the entire roof, it must be expertly placed where water is most likely to be driven under roofing materials. Correct installation requires a clean, dry deck and careful attention to ensure the membrane forms a continuous seal over the vulnerable area(s).
This information is especially helpful when you’re researching roofing services in Traverse City. Homeowners who have a basic understanding of what ice and water shield is, why it’s important in challenging climates like ours, and the critical role proper installation plays are better prepared to work with a professional roofing contractor and ask the right questions about where and how ice and water shield will be installed.
A Small Layer with a Big Job
Although ice and water shield is only one small layer of a reliable roofing system, it has a big job. In areas where water intrusion is likely, its purpose is invaluable, especially given the damage a leaking roof can cause and the challenging conditions each season can bring. And while it cannot prevent an ice dam from forming, it can dramatically reduce the damage an ice dam can cause.
Homeowners researching roof protection in northern Michigan or similar climates should look for a professional who understands the local weather patterns and the best practices for installing protective underlayment like ice and water shield. With a foundation in what ice and water shield is and why it belongs on a Michigan roof, homeowners are prepared to ask better questions and make more informed decisions when it’s time to repair or replace their roof. In the end, a well-protected roof (and home) begins with the layers you cannot see.