Is Winter Time Roof Time?

Winter is normally very hard on roofing as it comes with strong winds, heavy snow and ice that can be left on the roof. Because of this, most homeowners do experience lots of problems during the season. But is it possible to replace a roof during this cold, wet and snowy environment? Well, if you want to learn all about winter roofing, keep reading.

Well, when it comes to roof repair, it can be conducted on any weather whether cold, sunny, dry, and other weathers. However, the quality of the final product might be affected by the weather and of course by the roofer who is undertaking the job. Many manufacturers suggests that the shingles should be installed when the temperature is 26 degrees Fahrenheit and above. We all know that during the winter that the temperatures are normally way less than 26 degrees. However, that does not mean that a roof cannot be installed during the winter. It is very possible if you get the right installer who have the expertise and experience needed when it comes to installing roofs during the winter.

Precautions to take When Installing Roofs in the Winter

Yes it is very possible to replace and install a roof during the winter but some precautions needs to be taken. Some of the precautions that needs to be taken or followed include:

  • The adhesives should be chosen very carefully and the application should be treated even with more precautions. If applied by just another roofer they may end up freezing during the flat roof membrane installation.
  • A roofer needs to be super careful while installing the shingles so as not to damage any while nailing them into the roof. It is very important to note that the shingle makers do not change their warranty based on the temperature of installation. Meaning that the shingle that you will install will have a thirty year dimension just like any other that was installed in any other season.
  • The new shingles should undergo some thermal sealing if they are to be installed during the winter. The sealing of the shingles should be able to take some days of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or temperature above that.
  • It is also very important to ensure that no roofing guns are used during the winter especially if the temperature is less than 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Try to find a roof installer who can install the roof without using a roofing gun without necessarily having to charge you more for it. Good thing is that we are exactly what you need, we hand nail our winter installation without asking for more money from you.
  • It is very important that the steep slope roofers are very careful so as to avoid damaging the underlayment which can be very delicate and brittle during the winter. Only about 30 pound felt should be considered as underlayment. And it is important to ensure that the roofer uses cap nails to install the underlayment not using the staples.
  • If it is a complete reroofing for your house, it is very important to ensure that the roofer does not remove a roof that he cannot be able to complete within the same day. The winter weather tests your house in a way that cannot be compared to any other season.

The common problem with the winter roof is the ice dams. The ice dams normally occurs when the snow has accumulated on a slanted roof and then the ice melts which in turn leads to formation of icicles that hang from the gutters and the eaves. With the help of a professional roofer, it is very possible to get rid of the ice dams as well as preventing them from forming on your roof. The ice dams can also be caused by having improper amounts of insulation on the attic. Consult a professional roofer and you are going to be advised accordingly on the best ways of preventing ice dams.

Should you replace your roof in the winter?

If your roof is old then it is highly likely that it will not do quite well during the winter. As the temperatures during the winter go down the shingles contracts and when the temperature go up, the shingles expands. This leads to curling and cracking of the older shingles.

And then the weight of the snow comes to make things even worse. The heavy load on the cracked shingles can lead to leakages on the roof and if the roof is already wet, then there might be more problems than just a roof leakage.

Sometimes the roof might be in such a bad condition that it can be so difficult for you to wait till spring so as to repair or replace the roof. If you are in a condition like that, it will be wise if you contact a professional roofer who will assess the weather and will advise you accordingly on what needs to be done and if there is no otherwise, then the roof will be installed.

And the good thing about it is that the roofing contractors are normally less busy during the winters so your roof will be installed within the shortest time possible. So there is no problem if you choose to install your roof during the winter and as a matter of fact, some homeowners prefers replacing their roofs during the winter so as to get the job done within the shortest time possible.

And by the way some roofing companies offers discounts for roofing during the winter. Meaning you might end up using less money than you would have used during the summer or any other time of the year. And most installers will still provide you with the same warranty that you would have been provided with if you had replaced or installed the roof at any other time of the year.

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