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CAN A ROOF BE REPLACED DURING THE WINTER

Winter is that time of the year when people are cuddled up in their homes. Normally, most people would just wait until the warmer seasons start since reroofing under the cold winter season can be harder than usual.

It’s a better choice that you do reroof during the winter season if you have leaks and other forms of damage. Leaks can easily become gateways to more forms of damage. Moreover, if you’re expecting some guests in the next few weeks, it might be good to start preparing your roof as early as now. There’s no hurt in commissioning a licensed roofing contractor that specializes in working on your roof during winter seasons.

First, we have to look at the top reasons why we shouldn’t install a roof during winter. Then, we’ll look into what are some preparations that we have to do.

Top Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Install A Roof During Winter

There’s a good reason why there’s a slump in roofing services during the winter season and it’s not because everybody’s sipping on hot cocoa while staring out their windows. The reason why most roofing contractors would rather not work on a roof during winter is that it can spell trouble for the roofing materials. Additionally, your roof’s shingles will become slippery and can become a potential hazard.

Roofing materials tend to expand when exposed to higher temperatures and recede if ever exposed to colder temperatures. If contractors are going to reroof during cold weather, then they won’t be able to accurately measure their roofing materials. In most cases, this is one of the top reasons why certain shingles will bulge during hot weather.

The Right Roofing Contractor

If you ask almost every roofing contractor out there, they’ll give you the same answer: it’s always better to reroof during the warmer seasons. The keyword here is better; just because it’s not recommended doesn’t it can’t be done. Sure, it going to be harder to work on roofs are freezing temperatures, but it is still possible. You’ll notice that there’s going to be a decrease in activity for roofing services in the winter season, and it’s usually because there are fewer roofing contractors that are active.

Usually, those that are active during this season are those that are well-versed in roofing during the colder seasons. These contractors know how to keep your roofing materials warm while having the right safety equipment for your roof. Moreover, these roofing contractors have years of experience in the roofing industry and less-than-favorable weather won’t rain on their parade.

If you’re going to hire a roofing contractor during the winter season, it’s best to do your research first on the track record of any roofing contractor that you’ll be hiring. It’s also a good idea to contact your manufacturer regarding the roofing material of your choice.

Most roofing materials can become brittle under colder conditions, so it’s best to take some precautionary measures. If you have shingles, you can store them in your garage and warm them up before placing them on your roof, this makes them less brittle.

Maintaining Your Roof During Winter

Reroofing can be a major investment for most people since you’ll be spending thousands of dollars on a new set of roofing materials. Coupled with working on less-than-favorable conditions, most homeowners would just opt for roof maintenance instead. Most people can perform maintenance on their roofs, safety should always be the first priority.

Cold temperatures can easily make your roof more susceptible to changes in weight. Moreover, homeowners have to also be mindful not to step on sensitive areas of the roof with sealants.

Sealing a roof during the winter season is easier said than done. The act of sealing the shingles of a roof is usually done in warmer weather conditions; your sealant will usually take weeks to stick if you’re going to be doing it in the winter season. It’s best to leave sealing to professional roofing contractors who will use the appropriate asphalt roofing cement. Contractors should apply at least one or two dabs for each tab of shingles on your roof.

While you can definitely have your roof replaced during the winter season, it’s highly advised not to. Reroofing during the colder seasons will pose more harm to your roof. Moreover, there will be more potential hazards to the people who are working on your roof. However, this is still a necessity.