Cold Weather Roof Replacement: How Cold Is Too Cold?
We at Stay Dry Roofing love our job and we love living in Indiana, even in the winter. Sometimes we’re asked if roof replacement or roof repair is possible once the weather turns cold. Our answer is often, “How cold are we talking?”
Even when the situation is emergency roof repair, the temperature and weather will dictate just what can be done. So let’s take a look at three main factors that help determine how late into the winter season roof replacement is possible.
The 3 Main Factors In Winter Roof Replacement
- The Human Element.
The safety and morale of our Stay Dry Roofing installers factor in big-time for replacing a roof in a first-class manner. Without installers that feel safe and valued, a quality roof replacement just won’t happen. Even if that wasn’t already important on a purely human level, it is certainly the first priority in good business.
After all, those are people up there replacing a roof, not robotic machines. Beginning a roof replacement by removing snow and ice not only puts the installers at a higher risk, it adds to the labor costs. If installing a new roof were to begin with shoveling snow and breaking through ice, it would mean extra hours added onto the removal of the old roofing material and getting to the bare decking.
But even if snow and ice haven’t accumulated on the roof in need of replacing, when the weather grows too cold profoundly affects an installer’s ability to use tools and operate equipment. For much of the work in roof replacement, dexterity of hands and fingers is essential and heavy winter gloves are not an option. Replacing a roof when the temperature drops below freezing creates unacceptable risk levels. Doing so when the temperature dips below twenty degrees is an impossibility.
- Equipment & Freezing Weather.
Roof installers use a varied and large amount of tools and equipment. While the weather won’ have an effect on every single tool, the function of many of them are definitely impacted by temperature extremes. Equipment that relies on a compressor and nail guns, for example, can malfunction under very cold conditions. In operating compressors, humidity can condense within the air lines. The condensation freezes if the temperature is too low, either slowing work or halting it altogether. Poorly working compressors that power nail guns will affect the quality of nail installation, which adds up to poorly installed roofing materials like shingles. So, once again, attempting roof replacement under frigid conditions risks a poor installation. With the exception of emergency roof repair, Stay Dry Roofing would never recommend roof work when the temps drop too close to freezing.
- Shingle Installation & Frigid Conditions.
Can shingles be replaced or installed during very cold weather? In a word: yes. However, there are precautions to take into consideration. For example, in the case of asphalt shingles in roof replacement, these shingles can become rigid and inflexible as temperatures drop.
The proper nailing of shingles is a cross between skill and properly functioning equipment. A “sweet spot” is essential in the expert installation of a roof’s shingling. So weather-induced brittleness can adversely affect how well a complete roof replacement is installed.
Frigid weather can also increase the chance of shingle blow-off later during strong, blustery conditions. Every shingle has a bead line of special glue that is self-activated through sunshine. Shingles are also connected to one another through a system of tabs. Together, these elements create a strong bond that prevents wind from shearing the shingles off the roof.
The glue of the shingle is also engineered to self-activate within a temperature range. While the range may vary between manufacturers, it’s common for the makers to advise that the shingles undergo hand sealing by the installers when conditions are not ideal.
That being said, when it comes to emergency roof repair in which it’s critical for shingles or the underlying deck to be replaced, Stay Dry’s experienced crews know how overcome these dilemmas and deliver a high-quality roof repair even under frigid conditions when an emergency requires it. Being highly skilled at hand sealing shingles under such conditions is among their specialties.
Stay Dry Roofing’s Cold Weather Roof Replacement Recommendations
It probably comes as no surprise by now to learn that Stay Dry Roofing strongly recommends roof replacement before extreme cold weather sets in or after it has passed. It’s one of the very best ways to guarantee that your new roof installation is done with top quality and care. After all, replacing a roof is one of the biggest investments you can make in your home.
The exception to the cold weather rule is, of course, emergency roof repair. And whether your roofing needs are standard or an emergency, you can depend on Stay Dry Roofing every time. We are family owned, locally operated and proudly serve the Greater Indianapolis area. No one knows proper installation, maintenance and repair like we do. With such a long history and solid reputation in our area, no one can beat our training and experience.
FREE ESTIMATES are always part of how we do business. Call us today at (317) 308-7773 or use our Contact Page to schedule one. Serving all the communities of the Greater Indianapolis are: Noblesville, Fishers, Brownsburg, Greenfield, Franklin, Martinsville, Avon and more!