How can I add to the protection my roof provides?
< Back to Genesis Roofing, Inc.'s Roof Information CenterIce dams and strong winds can sometimes force water behind or underneath shingles. An ice dam can form quite easily on almost any roof which is subjected to snowfall. As heat from a home's attic causes snow on the roof to melt, it runs down onto the eaves, which are much cooler since they are not affected by the attic's heat. Water on the eaves re-freezes and builds up, forming an ice dam. Melted snow then pulls behind the ice dam, where it can seep beneath the shingles, through the roof deck and into the internal structure of the home, causing potentially serious damage. Of greater importance to residents in the Houston area, strong winds can lift sloped roof coverings such as shingles, allowing wind-driven rain to move in and penetrate an unprotected roof deck.
All-climate underlayment (also known as ice and water shield) creates a watertight seal that keeps water out of the most vulnerable, leak-prone areas of the roof—at the eaves, in valleys, around chimneys and skylights, etc. and also seals around roofing nails to ensure a watertight surface. Think of it as a second roof. In fact, it could be the roof, though by itself it's not very attractive.
