Ice-and-water shield
What is ice-and-water shield?
A self-adhering waterproof membrane installed in vulnerable areas to prevent leaks from ice dams and wind-driven rain.
Definition
Ice-and-water shield is a peel-and-stick membrane laid in the most leak-prone parts of a roof — eaves, valleys, and around penetrations. It seals around nails and stops water from backing up under the shingles.
In many regions, code requires it along the eaves to protect against ice dams. Like drip edge, it’s frequently missing from the carrier’s first scope even when code mandates it.
When code requires ice-and-water shield, adding it is a straightforward supplement. Documenting the covered areas and the code requirement is usually enough to get it approved.
Related terms
Drip edgeA metal flashing installed along the roof’s edges that directs water away from the fascia — and a line item carriers frequently leave off.Code upgrade coveragePolicy coverage that pays for work required to bring the roof up to current building code, even if the old roof didn’t have it.Roofing supplementAn additional request to the insurance carrier for money the original scope left off — extra line items, missed materials, or code-required work.Supplement line itemsThe specific items added to a claim through a supplement — the missed materials, code work, and underpriced entries that bring the scope up to the real job.