Do Roofers Work in the Winter

As we all know, a year consists of four seasons, and every season has its pros and cons regarding roofing.

For many, spring is ideal for roofing. The temperature isn’t hot like during summer, and the moisture level is pretty low.

Fall is also kind to roofers, especially if the pleasant summer weather continues and there are no dog days and high temperatures.

While spring and fall are the best time for roofing projects, like a roof replacement, it doesn’t mean that roofers don’t do anything during summer or winter.

First of all, roofers are working people like others, and they also have to bring home the bacon, no matter what season it is or what the temperature is outside.

Also, roof problems do not wait for ideal weather; leaks occur throughout the year, but most often during heavy rains, winter, and snowfall.

Not to mention emergency roof issues. For example, a tree that falls on the roof and damages the roof doesn’t know when is the ideal season for roofing, does it?

Therefore, the answer to the question of whether roofers can work in the winter is YES, they can, and they do! No matter the roof issue, whether they need to repair part of the roof or conduct a roof replacement since the job must be done.

The difference between roofing projects in winter and other seasons is an extra precaution, but we will discuss preventive measures later in the text.

As for now, let’s dive in more thoroughly regarding residential and commercial roofing during winter.

Residential Roofing During Winter

As we mentioned at the beginning of this blog post, no matter the season, the show must go on; therefore, roofing companies are pretty active in residential roofing during winter. 

The most common roofing issues regarding residential roofing are emergency roofing issues, leakage issues, and even roof replacement; even though it can sometimes be challenging to install shingles in cold weather as long as the temperature is above freezing during the installation of the shingles, there should not be any issues.  Shingles can be installed during freezing temperatures, but there are special techniques that need to be observed.  

Roof Replacement in Winter

Replacing a roof in winter is something that is common. If the circumstances dictate the replacement of the roof, for example, if there has been extensive damage to the roof and it cannot be repaired, then there is nothing left but to replace the roof in the winter.

If you are in a situation where you have to conduct a roof replacement in winter, helpful advice is to hire an experienced roofing company for this complicated roofing project since only experienced roofers know how to handle winter roof replacements without consequential problems arising.

Fixing Leaky Roofs in Winter

Even though leaks can occur anytime, roof leakage during winter is as common as falling leaves during autumn. Because of that, a leaking roof is the most common roofing assignment for roofing companies in winter.

An experienced roofing contractor will know how to prepare and secure a roof before conducting a roof inspection to find a leaking cause—after that, repairing it won’t be a problem.

Emergency Roofing During Winter

Besides leaking issues, one more common roofing issue during winter is emergency roofing service. A sudden and urgent roof problem can occur due to a falling tree or some large debris that destroys the roof and prevents it from functioning correctly.

Regardless of the cause, if you need emergency roofing service, you must immediately call a trustworthy roofer with winter work experience so that the problem can be solved as soon as possible and your roof can be restored to its original function.

Installing Shingles in Cold Weather

The installation method is slightly different in winter.  Precautions are taken to compensate for the colder weather to ensure that the new roof performs as expected.  

Metal Roof in Cold Climates

As for metal roofing, metal roofs can be installed regardless of weather conditions and temperature. 

Commercial Roofing During Winter

Commercial roofing has the same roofing issues during winter as residential roofs, so it isn’t unusual for commercial roofs to have leakage issues or severe damage that need replacement.

The only difference is in the material and roofing techniques, so the main roofing techniques for commercial roofs are EPDM roofing and TPO roofing.

EPDM and TPO roofing systems can be installed during winter, but since adhesives are used, minimum temperature limitations need to be considered. 

Precaution Measures for Winter Roofing

Even in ideal conditions, working on the roof requires caution during the winter. Therefore, taking preventive measures is a must.

Some preventive measures are related to using the right tools, while others are connected to safety.

One of the most important precautionary measures is the preparation of the workplace on the roof and around the object, which means the removal of all debris, icicles, and other potential threats to the health and life of roofers.

Furthermore, installing skylight screens and guardrails are also precautions that will increase the protection level.

Roofing During Winter – Final Thought

As a conclusion of this long text on whether roofers work during the winter, we can conclude that roofers do not hibernate during the winter months and that you can contact them if you notice that you have a problem with your roof.