Malarkey Arctic Seal: Overview

Malarkey Arctic Seal is a premium, self-adhering roofing underlayment designed for residential steep-slope applications. It offers robust protection against ice dams and wind-driven rain. It also acts as a flashing membrane in critical areas.

What is Malarkey Arctic Seal?

Malarkey Arctic Seal is a self-adhering, SBS polymer-modified asphalt underlayment. It is designed for steep-slope roofs, preventing moisture intrusion from ice and rain. It serves as a flashing membrane, protecting leak-prone areas like valleys and vents.

Self-Adhering Roofing Underlayment Description

Malarkey Arctic Seal is a self-adhering underlayment composed of a non-woven fiberglass mat. It is coated with a NEX SBS polymer-modified bitumen, surfaced with sand for release. The underside features an aggressive asphalt-based adhesive. This adhesive is protected by a split-release film, ensuring a strong bond to the roof deck upon installation. It offers excellent waterproof protection for residential roofs.

Primary Function: Ice and Water Protection

The primary function of Malarkey Arctic Seal is to provide exceptional ice and water protection, particularly in regions prone to harsh weather conditions. It effectively prevents moisture intrusion caused by ice dams and wind-driven rain, safeguarding the roof deck from potential water damage and structural issues. Arctic Seal serves as a reliable barrier, ensuring the long-term integrity and performance of the roofing system, especially in vulnerable areas like valleys and around penetrations.

Key Features and Benefits

Malarkey Arctic Seal offers superior waterproofing due to its SBS polymer-modified asphalt. Its self-adhering properties ensure a secure bond to the roof deck. The product is designed for lasting durability and performance.

SBS Polymer Modified Asphalt

The incorporation of SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene) polymer modified asphalt is a key feature of Malarkey Arctic Seal. This modification enhances the asphalt’s flexibility and elasticity, allowing it to better withstand temperature fluctuations and resist cracking. The SBS polymer also contributes to the underlayment’s superior waterproofing capabilities, ensuring long-term protection against water intrusion. This results in a more durable and reliable roofing system, minimizing the risk of leaks and damage caused by ice and water. The modified asphalt also improves adhesion to the roof deck.

Self-Adhering Properties

Malarkey Arctic Seal’s self-adhering properties greatly simplify the installation process. The aggressive asphalt-based adhesive on the underside, protected by a split-release film, creates a strong bond with the roof deck. This eliminates the need for nails or staples in most applications, reducing the risk of punctures and potential leak points. The self-adhering nature also ensures a fully sealed barrier against water infiltration, even in vulnerable areas like valleys and around penetrations. Proper surface preparation is crucial for optimal adhesion.

Durability and Waterproofing

The combination of the non-woven fiberglass mat and the NEX SBS polymer-modified asphalt provides exceptional durability and waterproofing capabilities to Malarkey Arctic Seal. This robust construction ensures that the underlayment can withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions, maintaining its integrity over time. The SBS polymer modification enhances the asphalt’s flexibility and resistance to cracking, while the fiberglass mat adds strength and dimensional stability. Arctic Seal creates a reliable secondary barrier against water intrusion, protecting the roof deck from damage.

Installation Guidelines

Proper installation of Malarkey Arctic Seal is crucial for optimal performance. Surfaces must be clean, dry, and smooth before application. Follow the provided guidelines for overlapping and sealing to ensure a watertight barrier.

Surface Preparation

Prior to installing Malarkey Arctic Seal, ensure the roof deck is structurally sound, smooth, and completely dry. Remove any debris, such as old roofing materials, nails, or dirt, that could interfere with adhesion. Any damaged sheathing should be replaced to provide a solid, even surface for the underlayment. Proper surface preparation is critical for achieving a secure and long-lasting waterproof seal, preventing potential leaks and ensuring the effectiveness of the Arctic Seal underlayment system in protecting the roof structure from moisture intrusion and ice dam formation.

Application Process

Begin by unrolling a section of Malarkey Arctic Seal and aligning it along the eaves, ensuring it extends past the interior wall. Peel back a portion of the release film from the adhesive side, carefully pressing the underlayment onto the prepared roof deck. Gradually remove the remaining release film while smoothing the Arctic Seal to eliminate air pockets and wrinkles. Use a roller to ensure full adhesion to the surface. Continue this process, overlapping each subsequent course according to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Overlapping and Sealing

Proper overlapping is crucial for ensuring a watertight seal with Malarkey Arctic Seal. Overlap each course of underlayment by a minimum of 2 inches on side laps and 6 inches on end laps, or as specified by local building codes. Press the overlapping edges firmly together to create a secure bond. For enhanced sealing, especially in critical areas or during colder temperatures, consider using a lap sealant compatible with SBS modified asphalt. Inspect all seams and overlaps, addressing any gaps or imperfections promptly to prevent water intrusion and maintain the roof’s integrity.

Areas of Application

Malarkey Arctic Seal is ideal for full roof deck protection and critical areas prone to leaks. This includes valleys, roof-to-wall transitions, around vents, skylights, and pipe penetrations, ensuring a watertight barrier against moisture intrusion.

Full Roof Deck Protection

Malarkey Arctic Seal provides superior full roof deck protection, creating a secondary water barrier beneath the primary roofing material. Its self-adhering properties ensure a tight seal, safeguarding the roof deck from water damage caused by ice dams, wind-driven rain, or roof covering failures. When applied across the entire roof, it enhances long-term durability and prevents costly structural repairs. Arctic Seal is designed to offer peace of mind by acting as a reliable defense against moisture infiltration.

Vulnerable Areas: Valleys, Rakes, and Penetrations

Arctic Seal excels in protecting vulnerable roof areas such as valleys, rakes, and penetrations. These locations are prone to water intrusion due to their complex geometry or interruptions in the roof plane. Applying Arctic Seal as a flashing membrane in these areas creates a watertight seal, preventing leaks around chimneys, vents, skylights, and where the roof meets walls. This targeted application ensures that the most susceptible points of the roof are well-defended against moisture damage, enhancing the roof’s overall performance.

Compatibility and Limitations

Malarkey Arctic Seal is not designed for use with metal roofing systems. Consider cold weather conditions during installation, as they may affect the self-adhering properties of the underlayment. Consult the manual for specific instructions.

Not for Metal Roof Systems

Malarkey Arctic Seal is specifically engineered for use with shingle roofing systems and is not compatible with metal roofs. The product’s composition and adhesive properties are designed to function optimally with asphalt shingles, and using it with metal can lead to adhesion failures or other performance issues. Always refer to Malarkey’s specifications to ensure compatibility. Using it with metal roofing could void the warranty. Consult Malarkey’s technical support for approved roofing systems.

Cold Weather Considerations

Installing Malarkey Arctic Seal in cold weather presents unique challenges. The self-adhering properties of the underlayment can be affected by low temperatures, potentially reducing its ability to bond effectively to the roof deck. It may be necessary to warm the underlayment and the roof surface before application to ensure proper adhesion. Fastening may also be necessary in cold conditions. Always consult Malarkey’s installation guidelines for specific recommendations regarding cold weather installation techniques to maintain optimal performance and warranty coverage.

Technical Specifications

Malarkey Arctic Seal boasts specific dimensions, typically 36 inches in width and 65 feet in length, with a thickness of around 55 mils. It comprises a fiberglass mat and SBS polymer modified bitumen.

Dimensions and Thickness

Malarkey Arctic Seal is manufactured to precise specifications, ensuring consistent performance and ease of installation. The standard roll typically measures 36 inches in width, providing ample coverage with each pass. A roll extends to 65 feet, optimizing material usage and minimizing seams across the roof deck. The underlayment’s thickness is approximately 55 mils, contributing to its durability and waterproofing capabilities. These dimensions and the resulting thickness are critical for proper roof protection and code compliance, also ensure a reliable barrier against moisture intrusion from ice dams and wind-driven rain.

Material Composition

Malarkey Arctic Seal comprises a multi-layered construction for superior performance. Its core is a non-woven fiberglass mat, providing dimensional stability and resistance to tearing. This mat is saturated with NEX SBS polymer-modified asphalt, enhancing its flexibility and waterproofing capabilities. The top surface features a sand release agent, facilitating easy unrolling and shingle adhesion. The underside has an aggressive asphalt-based adhesive, protected by a split-release film, that ensures a strong bond to the roof deck. This composition creates a durable, self-adhering membrane that effectively protects against water damage and ice dams.

Where to Find Installation Manual

The Malarkey Arctic Seal installation manual can be accessed online via Cameron Ashley Building Products. The document provides detailed instructions for proper application and ensures warranty eligibility.

Cameron Ashley Building Products

Cameron Ashley Building Products serves as a key distributor for Malarkey Roofing Products, including the Arctic Seal underlayment. They provide access to the installation manual, ensuring contractors and homeowners have the necessary resources for proper installation. This partnership ensures the product is applied according to Malarkey’s specifications and local building codes. Proper installation is critical for the product’s performance and to qualify for warranty coverage. Cameron Ashley’s website offers a convenient way to download the manual.