Roofing Ice Dam Membrane

Ask this old house general contractor tom silva explains the best ways to keep your roof and gutters free from those dreaded ice dams.

Roofing ice dam membrane.

To set the height of the ice protection membrane according to the code measure 24 inches from the exterior wall and plumb up to the roof plane. Ice dam leak protection membrane is required along the eaves of roofs in parts of the united states where ice dams have a history of forming. Installed underneath your shingles it effectively waterproofs your roof decking preventing leaks from heavy rains and ice dams. Ice can build up on a roof slope usually at the unheated area at the eaves forming an ice dam that prevents water from draining off the roof.

Tim healey ice protection membrane and the code. When installing a new roof or replacing the old one consider adding a water repellent membrane such as ice and water shield underneath the shingles. In turn this water can creep up under the shingles causing a roof leak. Ice and water protector sometimes also referred to as ice and water shield is a waterproof roof underlayment membrane developed to protect vulnerable areas on a roof from ice and water damage.

A roofing membrane required by building codes in the united states installed under the roofing material helps prevent leakage from ice damming but has no effect on the formation of ice dams. Assuring integrity of the roof s waterproofing prevents leaks and consequent damage. An ice dam is a thick rim of ice that originates along the edges of a roof when snow melts and then refreezes. Ice and water protectors sometimes called ice and snow shields in cold climates are made with polymer modified bitumen.

See below for a shopp. Install the ice barrier membrane according to the manufacturer s instructions with the drip edge installed on top of the membrane. The purpose of ice and water underlayment is to stop water from passing through the roof system into a home. An ice and water membrane is a type of self sealing adhesive underlayment.

Water repellent membrane ice and water shield this product will not prevent ice dams from happening but it will help minimize the damage by shielding the roof deck.