The Daily Insight

Connected.Informed.Engaged.

news

Do roofers work in the winter?

Writer Gabriel Cooper

Winter roofing is a topic of debate among many homeowners and business owners. Some say that there should be no work done on your roof during the winter, while others have found ways to keep working throughout the cold months. There are several factors that will determine whether or not a contractor can work through the winter. Here is a list of pros and cons for both sides of the debate.

Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Aro... Silky Terrier Dog Breed Playing Around

Challenges that roofers experience during the winter:

Insulation is frozen and must be thawed out before work begins. In some cases, it can take as long as a full day to free up enough space for workers on the roof.

Trash from the previous season’s leaves, twigs, etc will have to be removed before any repairs or maintenance can begin.

Ice dams form over winter causing moisture build-up on the roof. These dams may mean that new material has to be used in order to prevent water damage inside of the house.

Roofing companies working on multiple roofs at once may not have enough equipment or staff available during inclement weather conditions.

The longer frames of snowboards stay exposed outside, they become more susceptible to rusting and getting damaged from the elements.

Roof repairs can be a lot trickier as shingles become brittle due to the cold weather. This makes them more susceptible to breaking and cracking, which will require additional work from that point forward. If these shingles are not replaced at this time, you could end up with leaks later on down the road.

Pro’s of winter roofing:

There is often a demand for cheaper prices during the colder months since most homeowners do not want to spend money heating their homes or going out in bad weather. Roofers take advantage of this by charging less per square foot than they would normally charge during warmer times of the year. The lower costs could mean big savings for many people who need roof care services right away.

Winter is the time of year when many roofers get a jump start on their projects. Contractors are able to book more jobs during this time because it is easier to get on roofs with all of the snow and ice gone, leaving them open for work. This means that you will have less competition if you decide to hire a professional during these months.

Pros of not roofing in winter:

If your roof has already started leaking or needs repairs, then waiting until after winter to complete your repairs may be necessary. Repairing any damage in the spring will allow for better weather conditions when fixing problems like leaks or holes in your roof. This can help avoid future issues down the road even though there might be some extra costs involved to wait a few months.

The weight of the additional snow and ice added to your roof could cause structural damage if not removed in a timely manner. This extra weight can cause sagging, curling, or even cracking of your shingles. In some cases, you may need to replace the entire roof rather than just patching holes as originally planned because it is now too damaged from the change in weather conditions. Winter construction will often require more nails being used for securing shingles as well as different techniques which make repairs/maintenance harder during this time. If you have a poorly constructed roof already, then the winter elements might make matters worse.