GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD®

Product Description

GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® self-adhered roofing underlayment is a premier membrane composed of two waterproofing materials—an aggressive rubberized asphalt adhesive backed by a layer of slip resistant coated high density cross laminated polyethylene film. The rubberized asphalt surface is backed with a foldless release paper that protects its adhesive quality. During application, the release paper is easily removed, allowing the rubberized asphalt to bond tightly to the roof deck. The RIPCORD® embedded in the adhesive provides the applicator a “split release on demand” feature.

GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® is a versatile underlayment material that may be used on sloped roofs, under mechanically attached roof coverings such as asphalt shingles, slate, tile, cedar, and standing seam metal in many climate and assembly conditions (see limitations for additional information).

GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® is supplied in 3 ft wide rolls of varying lengths. Membrane strips are also available in 75 ft (22.9 m) long rolls at widths of 6 in. (150 mm), 9 in. (225 mm), 12 in. (300 mm) and 18 in. (450 mm). See the Product Data chart for product information.

Features & Benefits

• Seals around fasteners — The rubberized asphalt layer in GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® membrane seals around fasteners, resisting leakage caused by water back-up behind ice dams, or from winddriven rain.
• Superior Adhesion to the Deck — The self-adhesive membrane bonds firmly to the roof deck without need for heat or special adhesives.
• Watertight Laps — Membrane easily forms water-tight overlaps without special treatment.
• Protects under all standard sloped roof coverings — GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® roofing underlayment protects under slate, tile, cedar shakes or metal, as well as under conventional asphalt shingles.
• Proven track record — GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® roofing underlayment is the name brand in roofing underlayments with a track record of more than 35 years protecting roofs from ice dams and wind-driven rain.
• Ripcord — Split Release on demand feature makes GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® underlayment easier to apply. Faster application of the membrane in the straight-aways, as well as ease of membrane positioning in detail areas (valleys, around dormers, etc.).
• Slip resistant surface — GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® self-adhered membrane has a slip resistant embossed surface to maximize traction and safety for applicators.
• Reroofable — Unlike granular surfaced membranes, GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® smooth surface underlayment will not adhere to the underside of the exposed roof covering. GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® membrane can be applied over the old GCP self-adhered underlayment in retrofit applications, making re-roofing easier, less costly (since there is no need to remove the existing underlayment), more durable and environmentally friendly (as the structural deck remains intact avoiding the need to purchase additional wood decking).
• Membrane will not crack, dry out or rot — GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® roofing underlayment resists attacks from fungus and bacteria; maintains its integrity for long lasting protection.
• Local technical support — GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® roofing underlayment is backed by local technical support personnel that help ensure every application goes smoothly.

Guidelines for Use

GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® roofing membrane is used as an underlayment for sloped roofs to resist water penetration due to water back-up behind ice dams or wind-driven rain. GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® underlayment also offers leak protection in trouble prone spots like valleys, skylights, protrusions and other flashing areas.

Ice Dams

GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® roofing underlayment should be used in conjunction with roof designs that minimize ice dam formation. In cold climates, it is particularly important to provide proper insulation and ventilation to reduce the size of ice dams and to avoid interior condensation. Cathedral ceilings must include ventilation between rafters to allow for air flow to a ridge vent. Well ventilated cold roof designs are particularly important in alpine regions to reduce the size of ice dams which could contribute to structural damage. Several variables will influence the height of ice dams and the membrane coverage required.

1. Climate — The annual snow fall will affect the amount of membrane needed.
2. Slope — On a low slope, ice dams will extend farther inward from the roof edge.
3. Overhang — A wide overhang will require more membrane to reach the appropriate point on the roof.
4. Insulation and ventilation — A very well insulated building with a cold, well ventilated attic will have smaller ice dams.
5. Valleys — Any valleys formed by projections such as dormers or roof direction changes are likely to trap more snow and cause larger ice dams.
6. Exposure — A northern exposure or shaded areas will generally contribute to larger ice dams. While gutters may make it easier for an ice dam to start, large dams can occur on roofs with no gutters. Removing snow from a roof edge or installing heat cables may not prevent ice dam formation, but may shift the location of the ice dam. Under certain conditions, a dam can form at the edge of the remaining snow. Local building codes should be consulted for specific requirements.

Installation Procedure

Surface Preparation

Install GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® roofing underlayment directly on a clean, dry, continuous structural deck. Some suitable deck materials include plywood, wood composition, metal, concrete, and gypsum sheathing. Prior to membrane application, remove dust, dirt, loose nails, and old roofing materials. Protrusions from the deck area must be removed. Decks shall have no voids, damaged, or unsupported areas. Repair deck areas as needed before installing the membrane.

Prime concrete, masonry surfaces and DENSGLASS GOLD® with PERM-A-BARRIER® WB PRIMER. Prime wood composition and gypsum sheathing with PERM-A-BARRIER® WB PRIMER if adhesion is found to be marginal (refer to Technical Letter 12, Use on Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Roof Sheathing). Apply PERM-A-BARRIER® WB PRIMER at a rate of 250–350 ft²/gal (6–8 m²/L). Priming is not required for other suitable surfaces provided that they are clean and dry.

Membrane Installation

Apply GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® underlayment in fair weather when the air, roof deck, and membrane are at temperatures of 40°F (5°C) or higher. Apply roof covering material at temperatures of 40°F (5°C) or higher.

Cut the membrane into 10–15 ft (3–5 m) lengths and reroll loosely. Peel back 1–2 ft (300–600 mm) of release liner, align the membrane, and continue to peel the release liner from the membrane. Press the membrane in place with heavy hand pressure. Side laps must be a minimum of 3.5 in. (90 mm) and end laps a minimum of 6 in. (150 mm). For valley and ridge application, peel the release liner, center the sheet over the valley or ridge, drape, and press it in place. Work from the center of the valley or ridge outward in each direction and start at the low point and work up the roof.

Alternatively, starting with a full roll of membrane, unroll a 3–6 ft (1–2 m) piece of membrane leaving the release liner in place. Align the membrane and roll in the intended direction of membrane application. Carefully cut the release liner on top of the roll in the cross direction being careful not to cut the membrane. Peel back about 6 in. (150 mm) of the release liner in the opposite direction of the intended membrane application exposing the black adhesive. Hold the release liner with one hand and pull the roll along the deck with the release liner, leaving the applied membrane behind. Use the other hand to apply pressure on the top of the roll. Stop frequently to press the membrane in place with heavy hand pressure. When finished with the roll go back to the beginning, reroll and pull the remaining release paper from the material, finishing the installation.

For successive membrane courses, align the edge of the release liner with the dashed line provided on the surface of the membrane to achieve the 3.5 in. (90 mm) side lap.

Consistent with good roofing practice, install the membrane such that all laps shed water. Always work from the low point to the high point of the roof. Apply the membrane in valleys before the membrane is applied to the eaves. Following placement along the eaves, continue application of the membrane up the roof.

Use smooth shank, electro-plated galvanized nails for fastening shingles to get the best seal. Hand nailing generally provides a better seal than power-activated nailing. If nailing of the membrane is necessary on steep slopes during hot or extreme cold weather, backnail and cover the nails by overlapping with the next sheet.

Extend the membrane on the roof deck above the highest expected level of water back-up from ice dams and above the highest expected level of snow and ice on the wall sheathing on vertical side walls (dormers) and vertical front walls for ice dam protection. Consider a double layer of membrane in critical areas, such as along the eaves or in valleys and in climates where severe ice dams are anticipated. Apply the membrane to the entire roof deck for wind-driven rain protection. Apply a new layer of GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® underlayment directly over the old GCP self-adhered underlayment (except GCP granular underlayments) in retrofit applications following the standard membrane application procedure.

Precautions & Limitations

• Slippery when wet or covered by frost.
• Consistent with good roofing practice, always wear fall protection when working on a roof deck.
• Release liners are slippery. Remove from work area immediately after membrane application.
• Do not leave permanently exposed to sunlight. Cover within 90 days.
• Place metal drip edges or wood starter shingles over the membrane.
• Do not fold over the roof edge unless the edge is protected by a drip edge, gutter or other flashing material.
• Do not install on the chamfered edges of wood plank.
• Do not install directly on old roof coverings.
• Certain product applications are prohibited in hot desert areas in the southwestern United States. Contact your GCP Applied Technologies sales representative for assistance choosing the best product for your application.
• Check with the manufacturer of the metal roofing system for any special requirements when used under metal roofing.
• Do not install under copper, COR-TEN® , or zinc metal roofing in high altitudes. These roofs can reach extremely high temperatures due to the low reflectivity, high absorption, and high conductivity of the metals. Use GRACE ULTRA™ underlayment for these roof types. Contact your GCP Applied Technologies sales representative for assistance choosing the best product for your application.
• Provide proper roof insulation and ventilation to help reduce ice dams and to minimize condensation. GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® membrane is an air and vapor barrier.
• Repair holes, fishmouths, tears, and damage to membrane with a round patch of membrane extending past the damaged area 6 in. (150 mm) in all directions. If fasteners are removed leaving holes in the membrane, they must be patched. The membrane may not self-seal open fastener penetrations.
• Do not install fasteners through the membrane over unsupported areas of the structural deck, such as over the joints between adjacent structural panels.
• Due to its slight asphaltic odor, do not apply where the membrane is exposed to interior living space. Refer to product literature for more complete information.
• Not compatible with EPDM or TPO; use GRACE ULTRA™ underlayment for tie-ins (refer to Technical Letter 5, Chemical Compatibility).
• Not compatible with polysulfides, flexible PVC, or high concentrations of resin (pitch) found in some wood plank decks. For more information, refer to Technical Letter 5.

Product Data

Code Compliance

GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® roofing underlayment meets the following standards:

• ICC ESR-1677 approval according to AC-48 Acceptance Criteria for Self-Adhered underlayments used as Ice Barriers
• Miami-Dade County Product Control Approved. NOA# can be found on Miami-Dade Product Control Search.
• Florida State Product Approval. Product Approval # can be found on FL Building Code Product Approval Search.
• Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Classified Sheathing Material Fire Resistance Classification with Roof Designs: P225, P227, P230, P237, P259, P508, P510, P512, P514, P701, P711, P717, P722, P723, P732, P734, P736, P742, P803, P814, P818, P824
• Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Class A fire classification under fiber-glass shingles and Class C under organic felt shingles (per ASTM E108/UL 790)
• CCMC Approval No. 13670-L

Performance Properties