What is an Ice and Water Shield? (Why It Needs to Be Installed at Your Home)

An ice and water shield is very important for preventing water damage, especially during winters, as they are accompanied by snow, ice dams and temperature shifts.

What is an Ice and Water Shield?

Your roof is not just your first defense for making a secure home. It's a vital part of building a home especially if you're living in an area like Westchester County and Rockland County.

Whether you opt for a metal roof, shingle roof, or tile roof, one factor that is extremely crucial but goes mostly unnoticed is the ice and water shield.

A water-repellent ice and water barrier is an underlayment roofing material that sticks to your roof deck directly beneath your shingles. It is a rubberized asphalt product that creates a hard seal, preventing water from penetrating your home. Unlike aged felt paper, it seals itself over the nails, providing excellent resistance to heavy rain, snow, or ice-dam-borne leaks.

Why Does It Need to Be in Your Home?

1. Ice Dam Protection
Ice Dams are formed when the snow melting along the roof edge refreezes in cold weather. If there isn’t an ice and water shield, water gets under your shingles, causing a leak in the inside of your home. So an ice and water shield will block the water in its tracks—and protect your attic, walls, and insulation.
2. Heavy Storms Protection
Whether it’s the roof replacement or a new roof installation, an ice and water shield is a must-have for homes that receive heavy rains and high winds. It offers some measure of protection against rain-driven wind that will blow shingles or tiles loose and blow water in.
3. Extends the Life of Your Roof
From shingle shake roof to flat roof, all uses of roofing are served by this additional layer of protection. By restricting water intrusion, it reduces the incidence of rot, mold, and structural weakening—ultimately saving you money by lengthening your roof's longevity and keeping you out of your pocket for costly roof repair.
4. Ideal for Weak Spots
Particular areas on your roof are more likely to leak more readily—valleys, around chimneys, skylights, and eaves. The ice and water shield functions as a barrier coating on these problem areas, so that your home is not wet and harmed.

Is an Ice and Water Shield Needed for Every Roofing System?

Yes, whether upgrading to a metal roof, keeping with a shingle roof, or considering a tile roof or flat roof systems, an ice and water shield is highly recommended. In fact, the majority of local New York building codes mandate its inclusion as part of a proper roof installation.

Professional Roofing Protection with Us

Meridian Contracting is a roofing contractor that offers roofing, roof repair, and roof replacement options with weather protection. Whether you have a shingle roof, a metal roof, a tile roof or a flat roof, our installers apply the highest quality underlayment systems for protection from the hard winters of Westchester County and Rockland County.

If you’re looking for the professional opinion of an expert to maximize the efficiency of your home’s roofing by installing ice and water shield, rely on us for reliable, long-lasting solutions!

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