The roof is one of the most important parts of a house. Roofs today are the result of years of innovation and expertise. You can easily see the shingles that make up the roof, but there are many more details that make your roof durable, including the ice and water barrier.
Remember: accumulating snow and ice can cause significant damage to your roof! And no one wants that in the cold winter months.
What is the Ice and Water Barrier?
The ice and water barrier is a waterproof roof component that helps the roof succeed at keeping out moisture. It is tightly sealed around all of the nails and acts as an added protection to prevent moisture from getting through to the interior of your home.
Where is the Ice and Water Barrier Located?
The ice and water barrier can be found below the shingles on the roof. They can be found across the entirety of the roof’s surface, or in the following areas: valleys, eaves, or roof penetrations.
Why is it Important to Have an Ice and Water Barrier?
Ensuring that your roof has an ice and water barrier is crucial to preventing costly, annoying repairs. The very essence of the roof and the ice and water barrier is to prevent leaks and moisture from getting through and entering the house.
Roof leaks are extremely common and can result from various occurrences such as clogged gutters, high winds, and ice dams. Water can overflow gutters and back up under the shingles and into the home. High winds can rip shingles off or lift them up, allowing water to remain stagnant on the roof and seep into the materials. Ice dams result from ice melting and refreezing over the paths to the gutters. This can allow water to seep under shingles. Learn more about ice dams and how to prevent them by clicking here.
All of these issues can eventually lead to leaks, even though roofs are constructed and meant to direct the flow of water off of the roof. Ice and snow can really interfere with this process, so it is important to take extra precautions and a preventative approach to your roof’s construction and maintenance.
A practical solution to be prepared to prevent these events is an ice and water barrier. When storms, heavy rain, high winds, or even blizzards hit your home, you can be confident that you won’t have to worry about your roof leaking if you have an ice and water barrier.
the right Roofing Contractor
If you are building a home and need to choose a roofing contractor, or need your roof repaired or replaced, make sure that your contractor knows the importance of the ice and water barrier. Explore their service options and rates, and make sure you are choosing one that is able to install the barrier. Here at Haynes Construction & Restoration Inc., we make the search easy for you.
Haynes Construction & Restoration Inc. is an expert residential and commercial roofing contractor. Our specialty is installing shingle roofs on homes, condos, apartment buildings, and commercial buildings. We have a CertainTeed ShingleMaster certification, the highest certification CertainTeed offers. As a result, we are able to offer CertainTeed products and installation knowing that we are one of the most knowledgeable roofing installers in the United States. Our quality workmanship comes with a 10 year transferable warranty, so our customers can have peace of mind about their home.
If you are looking for a roofing contractor, contact us online at or by phone at (815) 932-5259. We look forward to hearing from you!
