"I've seen neighbors obsess over the type of underlayment, but then botch the flashing and sealing..."
Exactly—folks often get caught up in the underlayment hype, but in reality, proper flashing and sealing around edges are your first line of defense. I've inspected plenty of roofs after storms, and trust me, ice dams don't discriminate based on fancy materials. It's usually the overlooked details—like flashing around chimneys or valleys—that end up causing the headaches. Good sealing beats expensive underlayment almost every time...
Totally agree, flashing is key. But honestly, a solid ice barrier along the eaves and valleys can save you a ton of grief later on. Seen too many roofs leak 'cause someone skimped right there... better safe than soggy, right?
Ice barrier definitely helps, but honestly, proper attic insulation and ventilation can make an even bigger difference. Had ice dams forming every winter till I fixed the insulation issue... hasn't happened since. Sometimes, tackling the root cause beats extra layers under shingles.
Good point about insulation and ventilation—addressing the root cause is usually the best long-term solution. Still, I've found ice barriers helpful as a secondary measure, especially in tricky roof valleys or around dormers. Had a property once where even after upgrading insulation, certain shaded areas still formed minor ice dams. Adding an ice barrier membrane about 3 feet up from the eaves and along those valleys gave us extra peace of mind... hasn't been an issue since.
"Had a property once where even after upgrading insulation, certain shaded areas still formed minor ice dams."
Yeah, shaded spots can be stubborn... seen that myself. Couple quick things I've picked up from my mentor:
- Definitely agree on valleys and dormers—those are prime trouble spots.
- Also, around chimneys or skylights can be sneaky areas for ice dams, especially if they're shaded or north-facing.
- We usually run the barrier at least 2-3 feet past the interior wall line, not just the eaves. Gives a bit more protection if ice backs up.
- One thing to watch out for: don't skimp on overlap between barrier sheets. Learned that the hard way when water found its way through a tiny gap...
Anyway, sounds like you've got it sorted now. Good luck!
