- In colder climates, ice can build up on roofs during winter, causing ice dams that can push their way underneath shingles and lead to costly leaks. Ice and water shield underlayment serves as a barrier against ice dams and wind-driven rain, preventing leaks and insuring the integrity of the roof.
- Ice and water shield is made from a combination of rubber and asphalt and is coated with an adhesive on the back side to make it stick to the roof. The adhesive side is covered with a special type of paper backing which is peeled back during application to expose the adhesive.
- The front side of the ice and water shield can be coated with tiny mineral granules or sand, or it may have no granulated surface. Ice and water shield comes in various thicknesses, but 40 mm thickness is standard. The quality of the adhesive backing is more important than thickness. Ice and water shield typically comes in rolls that cover approximately 100 or 200 square feet.