Ice & Water Shield primarily protects vulnerable locations on the roof deck (shown above) that are most likely to leak during storms with high winds or when ice dams develop, which are along the eaves, around roof penetrations and in the valleys, as well as hips and ridges. However,waterproofing shingle underlayment (asphalt saturated felt or woven polypropylene) is mandatory over the whole roof deck, to achieve both waterproofing and fire-rating.
The following information has been obtained from Building Products of Canada.
https://bpcan.com/en-CA/bp-academy/residential-roofing/basic-knowledge/your-roof-is-a-system/
Eave protection is a layer of felt or plastic placed under the shingles on eaves, in valleys, along ridges, at roof perimeters and at joint flashings. Eave protection is important for the performance of a roof, acting as both a waterproofing membrane and as extra protection against-ice damming. It protects the roof against ice that builds up during winter freeze/thaw cycles.
A high-grade asphalt membrane such as Progard ULTRA, manufactured by Building Products of Canada Corp., is a waterproofing membrane designed to protect your roof. Its core is made of SBS modified asphalt carried by a specially treated poly (non-slip) sheet. It may be installed and sealed directly on approved surfaces, by removing the detachable silicone film.
This membrane can be installed under roofing shingles, metal roofs or used as air-barrier/vapour-barrier under a thermal insulation. It is to be used for protection under roof coverings such as slate, shakes, tiles, metal, etc. to prevent leaks and damages to decking and internal structures from wind driven rain and/or water backup due to ice dams. This product is ideal for use on ridges, valleys, around chimneys, windows and skylights. Gripgard as well as Gripgard SX, like Progard ULTRA, are a self-adhering membrane composed of a rubberized asphalt roofing sheet with a strong inorganic glass mat for reinforcement.
Underlayment is an integral part of a roofing system. It is not required for use under all shingles. However, it is normally used as an element of a premium roofing system, offering backup protection against leaks. Underlayment acts as secondary protection against wind driven rain and as protection from moisture prior to shingle installation. It is also mandatory under all shingles to achieve a fire resistant rating. A minimum of two layers is mandatory on low slope application. A popular felt underlayment roll is no 15 CSA Pro, manufactured by Building Products of Canada Corp.
The proper selection and installation of roofing materials form the basis of a well-constructed roof that ensure the shingles selected perform to their maximum capabilities. But the shingles themselves determine the ultimate longevity of the roof. Premium shingles, with heavy-duty felt or fiberglass mats and thicker asphalt and granule coatings, provide longer life and, as a result, come with higher warranties.
For efficient water shedding at the roof’s edge, a drip edge of vinyl or metal should be installed on the eave and rake edges. The drip edge is installed under the eave protection membrane at the eaves. Along the rake, the metal drip edge should be installed over the underlayment or eave protection.
This is a common spot for snow and ice buildup, especially on roofs with lower pitches. In a premium roofing system, use of roll roofing material is required over the length of the valley. Ice and water-proofing membrane rolls such as Progard ULTRA, Gripgard or Gripgard SX provide the optimum protection as the base for any valley construction and are critical in preventing problems with ice dams. Ice damming develops as snow on the surface of the roof melts. Water runs under the edge of the roof creating a dam. Additional snow melts forming a pool against the dam causing water to back up, often getting under the shingles.
Some of the roof’s most vulnerable areas, with the highest potential for leaks include skylights, vents, chimneys, windows, and soil stacks, making waterproofing indispensable. Once again, ice and water membrane is a superb base underlayment for the flashing material. And don’t forget to use roofing cements that meet or surpass CAN, CGSB or ASTM standards that are fully compatible with the shingle.
Proper air circulation will greatly reduce the chance of leaking, blistering, curling and many other potential problems. To tell if a home’s ventilation is inadequate, several signs appear in the home’s attic. Those signs include an attic that is hot and stuffy compared to the rest of the house, stagnant air, unbroken darkness indicating blocked or non-existent openings, and water stains/mold on the underside of the decking.
Making sure the appropriate roof deck is under the shingles you have to install is critical to ensure optimal shingle performance. The roof deck should be in good condition: dry, clean, flat, smooth and securely nailed. Plywood decks at least 1/2″ thick are best. If shingles are installed over an unacceptable roof deck, it may void the manufacturer’s warranty. Any part of the deck that is rotted or warped must be replaced.
Your roof is a critical component of your home or place of work. It protects you from the elements and can also add to the esthetics of your dwelling. A roof that leaks can do a great deal of damage and is costly to repair. That is why it is so important to have roofs installed or re-roofed by reliable, trustworthy and professional contractors, and inspected on a regular basis. Royal Roofing Ltd. goes the extra mile for each and every roof we install or repair in order to ensure that you receive only the highest quality of workmanship and materials in order to achieve zero defects.
Proper attic insulation is just as important as a sound roof since it keeps your house warm in winter and cool in summer. It also protects your shingles from excessive heating and thereby prolongs the life of your roof. Improper insulation can be very expensive, since the energy used to heat your home is lost, and you need more and more energy to maintain the same temperature.
Older homes generally have inadequate insulation, and it will pay you to upgrade your insulation with either cellulose fibre (loose fill) or Fiberglas (batt) insulation. The effectiveness of insulation is measured by R or RSI value (thermal resistance value), and the best R value for attics in Canada is R-50 or slightly higher.
Proper attic ventilation is just as important as proper insulation and a sound roofing system. Attics must “breathe” so that they do not become too hot, too cold, or too moist. Soffit vents provide air intake and roof and gable vents allow air exhaust. In order to prolong the life of your roof, you need a properly balanced system of air-flow throughout your attic, and shingle warranties can be voided without proper attic ventilation.
Attic ventilation is frequently neglected and “improper attic ventilation can rot your roof deck, shorten the life of your roof, cause curling or cupped shingles, degrade your insulation, cause paint to peel and blister, create an environment for mold, reduce your comfort level, overwork your heating/cooling system, and is one of the major causes of ice dams” (as noted by an attic insulation contractor).
In order to maintain the proper balance, your insulation baffles should be in good working condition. Insulation baffles create a channel for the air entering your soffit vents to get past the insulation and into your attic cavity. Most homes have few, if any, baffles and they are often installed improperly.
Sooner or later your roof will require either repairs or replacement. That is when it becomes critical to obtain the services of a solidly dependable and reliable roofing contractor who has a stellar track record for professionalism, is well established, and can be trusted to give you not only a very competitive price, but also outstanding workmanship and courteous service within a reasonable completion period.
In addition to that, one needs the very best warranties for workmanship and materials. These are the qualities for which Royal Roofing Ltd. is recognized and recommended by very satisfied customers. Our workmanship warranty is for 10 years and our material warranties extend up to 30 years and beyond.
Our method of customer service is to sit down with you and determine what exactly you would like to accomplish within your allocated budget. We will inspect your roof thoroughly and then provide a detailed written proposal for all the necessary work. Since we are the roofing experts we will hope to have our recommendations accepted, since our goal is to ensure that your roof remains trouble free for many years.
Once our proposal is accepted, we will proceed to get the project started very quickly and finish it in record time. We will then hand you your invoice and your warranties, and expect a great relationship with you.
