Roof Ice Protection

An ice dam is a solid ridge of ice that forms along the edges of your roof.

Roof ice protection.

Snow starts to melt in certain areas of the roof which are warmer than others due to heat loss from the attic. Ice dams are a common sight in northern new england winters and home partners has dealt with quite a few. This provides added protection against ice dams. Compare models to find which snow guard is right for you.

Ice belt metal panels many roofs are made of shingles which work well to remove water until it starts to travel upward. Once this thick ice forms it prevents melting snow from running off the roof. The ice and water should be installed underneath and prior to the installation of roofing shingles weather metal or asphalt on your roof. Snow guards prevent the dangerous movement of frozen precipitation on a sloped roof by suspending it in a holding field so it can melt completely or drop off in small amounts.

First and foremost your roof needs to have at least 2 feet of ice and water installed at the eaves and valleys of the roof. Some roofers install a layer of waterproof shingle underlayment wsu over the existing shingles at the eave end as would be done for a roof laid on bare sheathing. It will put gutters and downspouts at risk too. But ice dams can form in the gutter as well as on the roof.

Ice and water protectors sometimes called ice and snow shields in cold climates are made with polymer modified bitumen. Ice water barriers designed to protect the roof where water tends to collect including valleys vents chimneys and skylights. To take a more pro active approach in preventing ice dams you can install ice belt metal panels which are installed along the eaves to block water. Weatherlock flex flexible self sealing ice water barrier provides excellent roof deck protection against water infiltration resulting from the freeze thaw cycle wind driven rains and normal water flow around eaves rakes valleys vents chimneys and skylights.

With the code recommended installation of the ice barrier over the drip edge water can back up at the eaves edge and get behind the vertical leg of the drip edge where it can end up flowing into the joint between the fascia and the roof sheathing.