Can Roofing Be Done in Cold Weather?

Cold Weather Roofing

As winter has settled in in much of North America already, many homeowners might have come to the unfortunate realization that they need a new roof. If you are one of these unfortunate homeowners and your roof is leaking, bringing the rain inside your home, it is definitely time to get the roof fixed. But you may be asking yourself, is it possible to have my roof redone in cold weather? The answer to that question is yes. Luckily for you, if you are reading this article, chances are you live in Jacksonville, Florida where the temperatures rarely drops below 45 degrees during the winter months. Thankfully, this means that roofing in the winter is not much different than roofing in the other months for you. However, if you lived in a state that was more north that had temperatures well below freezing, you could only be able to get your roof redone if you have a reputable company that knows how to properly get the job done in cold weather.

While most northern roofing companies will not continue roofing during the winter because it is more difficult, the brave ones do. These companies can be a godsend to homeowners in need, or help people who are trying to build their houses during the winter when other roofers will not do the job. Roofing companies that keep working during the winter get to keep their staff, and get to keep their business going when other companies shut down for most of the winter. While we don’t have to think of many of these things in northern Florida, there are many things that make roofing different in places where there is much colder weather that roofers need to take into consideration to stay safe, and to make sure the job is done correctly.

Keeping Safe

In places where snow and ice are a common occurrence, it is very important that roofers make keeping safe their top priority when they are roofing during the winter. During the summer months, roofers are battling the elements also, but it usually revolves around staying out of the direct sunlight so they do not get sunburned or burn themselves on hot asphalt tiles. The winter months bring a different range of elements that roofers have to battle.

One of the most obvious things that roofers have to be careful with during the winter months is snow and ice. Snow and ice can pose many different safety risks that many people may not consider. Snow and ice can make everything very slick. It is important for roofers to have very good shoes during the winter months that will give them enough traction to not slip right off the roof. In addition, the traction will help them climb the ladders onto the roof which can become very slick during winter months. It is also very important that roofers have a safety tether mechanism in case they do fall, that will protect them from sliding all the way off the roof.

Another important safety issue that roofers have to take into consideration during the winter months is staying warm. While there may be days of sunshine that can provide some heat, there are also many days of cold, cloudy, and dismal weather. It is important that roofers take extra care during the winter months to wear plenty of layers to keep them warm. In addition, it is important that they wear good winter roofing gloves. These gloves will provide their hands with enough warmth to protect against hypothermia while also giving them enough flexibility and grip to get the job done. It is important for a roofer to keep their hands warm so that they can keep functioning properly. Cold hands can be dangerous when you are working around tools because one wrong move can be disastrous.

Cold Weather vs. Summer Months

We have already mentioned a couple things that are different when you get your roof replaced in the summer in comparison to when you get your roof replaced during the winter in places where temperatures are below freezing. While there is little to no ice on the roof in the summer, and little to no sun sometimes to warm the roof during the winter, these are not the only things that can be different about getting a roof replaced during the winter months that roofers and homeowners will have to take into consideration.

One very important difference that has a large effect on roofing during winter months in comparison with summer months is the temperature. While we already talked about the safety concerns with ice on the roof, this is not the only problem that can happen when temperatures drop below freezing.

Roofing asphalt tiles usually come with a self adhesive backing that forms the strong glue that binds the tiles to the roof and each other. This adhesive has been crafted overtime to form a strong bond that keeps the elements out, and also keeps the tiles on your roof in extreme weather conditions like high winds. The only catch with this adhesive is that it only works in temperatures over 40 degrees. Thankfully, in Northern Florida, while the climate is much wetter during the winter, the temperature is still over 40 degrees, which means these tiles will still be able to adhere to the roof.

During the summer months, the sun is a big help to roofers as it heats up those asphalt tiles and activates that adhesive. During the winter months, temperatures are often never above 40 degrees, and there is almost no help from the sun. This means that roofers in colder climates have to use a roofing cement to make the tiles stick during the winter months.

Another issue with the colder weather is that the asphalt tiles will not be as flexible and are more prone to cracking. It is important that roofing tiles are stored in a flat location to prevent bending or cracking, and it is very helpful if they are also stored in a heated garage or warehouse to make them easier for the roofers to work with. Nail guns also jam more when it is cold, which makes roofing more difficult and more dangerous.

Things to Remember

As a homeowner, it is very unlikely that you will be replacing your own roof at any time, but especially during the winter months. In northern Florida, you do not have to worry about many of the things mentioned in this article, but if you do happen to live in an area where temperatures drop below freezing during the winter months, there are some things you need to take into consideration.

When you are choosing a roofing company to install your roof during the winter there are some important things to remember and steps to take. Ask your roofing company what precautions they take during the winter to stay safe. You do not want roofers to get injured at your house.

In addition, ask them what type of cement they will be using while attaching your asphalt shingles because you know now that the self adhesive will not work in temperatures under 40 degrees. If they tell you that the self adhesive will be enough to keep your shingles on, these may not be the roofers for you because you do not want to lose your shingles in the wind.

Finally, it is important for the homeowner to remember to be patient with your roofers during the winter. It is very hard to be exposed to the freezing temperatures, wind, and treacherous conditions while fighting the elements to replace your roof. A kind and patient attitude with your roofers will get you a long way during those winter months.

About Prime Roofing

Prime Roofing is a top Jacksonville FL roofing company that offers free inspections for homeowners in the Northeast Florida region. Check out our full service area here.

Company name: Prime Roofing

Address: 13725 Beach Blvd Suite 13, Jacksonville FL, 32224

Phone: (904) 530-1446

Hours: Monday to Friday 9AM to 5PM

Contact URL: https://primeroofingfl.com/contact-us/