Common Issues to Consider When Replacing Roof in Winter

When it comes to roof replacement, there are many things to consider—especially if you live in a cold climate. A couple of common issues to consider when replacing your roof in winter.? 

Most of the time, professionals recommend replacing your roof during summer. This is because the weather is great during this season. However, emergencies happen, and you might have to replace your roof in winter. 

So, if you’re considering replacing your?roofing?this winter, keep these things in mind! 

Inexperienced Contractor 

First and foremost, you must ensure that your contractor is experienced in working in cold weather. Many contractors don’t do any work outside from December through March, so you’ll want to hire someone familiar with working in the cold!? 

Wrong Type of Shingles 

You’ll also need to consider the type of shingles you want to use. While standard asphalt shingles are fine for most climates, they may not be ideal for colder areas. Several specialty shingles are available specifically for colder climates, so be sure to ask your contractor about their options.? 

Cold Temperature 

As any roofer knows, cold temperatures can be a common issue when replacing a roof. The cold weather can cause the shingles to become brittle and break easily. In addition, the adhesive used to hold the shingles in place can freeze, making it challenging to apply the shingles properly.? 

As a result, it is essential to take special care when replacing a roof in winter. Use heaters to keep the area warm, and avoid working in direct sunlight. In addition, it is essential to wear gloves and layer clothing to prevent frostbite.? 

Taking these precautions ensures that your roof replacement project will go smoothly, despite the cold weather. 

Ice Dams 

Ice dams are a common issue when replacing the roof in winter. They occur when the warm air from your house melts the snow on your top. The melted snow then runs down to the colder eaves of your roof and freezes.? 

This process continues and creates a dam of ice that prevents the melted snow from draining off your roof. Ice dams can cause severe damage to your roof and home. They can also be a hazard to people walking on your roof. 

?If you live in an area where ice dams are common, it is vital to have your roof replaced by a professional who is experienced in dealing with this issue. 

Excessive Snow 

For people who love winter, a fresh snowfall is a delight. Unfortunately, that is not the case if you plan to replace your roof. Snow looks great. However, it’s extremely heavy when excessive. Because of this, roofers will have difficulty replacing your roof if too much snow is on top.? 

And finally, you’ll need to consider the extra challenges of installing a roof in winter. Your contractor will likely need to take additional precautions against ice and snow buildup and may require special equipment to get the job done safely and efficiently.? 

So, if you’re planning to replace your roof this winter, think about these issues first.  

Guide To Winterizing Your Flat Roof  

There were many misconceptions about flat roofs: expensive, hard to maintain, prone to leaks, and many more. Although none of these is true, flat roofs still need proper maintenance to ensure that they would withstand any damaging elements such as harsh weather conditions. Winter is one of the seasons that homeowners need to be cautious of. Snow accumulated on your roof, sloped or flat, is a potential cause of water leak and structure degradation. This is why commercial roofers in Tamba Bay make sure that flat roofs in commercial spaces are provided with the best care during winter by doing things even before the winter sets in.  

 

As a homeowner, you need to do things to avoid snow damaging your flat roof. Although it is a wrong assumption that flat roofs are prone to water pooling, they can still accommodate water that will lead to leaks, if not given the proper care and preparation for winter.   

Bowing and ponding are two main roof problems that are caused by winter. Bowing happens when the snow starts accumulating on the roof and weight starts to develop stress on the roof. When snow is not removed after every winter, this will cause the roof to get sagged out of weight and water. The sagging results the ponding. What makes this worse is not only the roof is affected by these, your HVAC will also have some problems too.   

Water is the worst enemy in any house structure. Unfortunately, when the snow melts, water will always be existent as the result. If your flat roof does not have proper drainage, this can result in a lot of problems. When the snow melts and gets into the roofing system, you will not notice any leaks. Leaks come gradually and you will only notice them when there are visible leak marks or when you experience issues with your installation and a surge on the energy bill. Leaking signs include watermarks on the ceiling and walls and puddles on the floor. This is why it is important to check your roof immediately after winter and remove snow immediately.   

Flat roofs are commonly structured to withstand snow and water leaks for a long time, probably because most people think that their flat surface makes them prone to water damages. The truth is, contractors and engineers, see to it that all roofs are sturdy against weather conditions especially winter. So, your flat roof is as sturdy as other roofing types. However, it is important to take note that as a homeowner, we still have an important role to play.   

Besides a thorough inspection by a professional company, we can do a little repair that will prevent further damage such as little sealing and caulking. We also need to ensure that our insulation is not damaged and that our gutters are not blocked. Flat roofs are easier to access than sloped ropes so cleaning and maintaining will not be as difficult as those of the sloped roofs.   

Caution: While flat roofs are easy to access, it is still advised to call a professional company for repairs, no matter how small the issues are to avoid accidents.