With decades of experience working through every season, we pride ourselves on knowing what can be accomplished for roofing during the different seasons. As our projects have involved roofing in Boston and roofing in Arlington, we know the various New England architecture nuances.
As New England is known for its challenging winters, a question we most often hear is, “Does your company do roofing in winter?” And of course, the answer is yes; we provide roofing services at all times of the year. However, there are times of year that are more desirable and suitable for roofing services than others.
Ideally, a brand new roof would not be installed in the depths of winter. Winter has a way of fooling people; one day, it could be 60 degrees and sunny, and the next day 20 degrees, with three feet of snow on the ground, you can never be sure which way the weather will turn in New England.
In this article, we are going to explore some of the logistical details regarding roofing in winter.
Why People Need Roofing Services in Winter
For the most part, people planning to install a new roofing system or renovate their existing roof do not choose winter. The days of spring, fall, and summer are longer, and the temperatures are milder. These ideal conditions give crews more time each day to complete their tasks, and the roofing materials are much more pliable during more favorable temperatures.
Most of the time, when a client reaches out to us for roofing services during the winter months, it’s because unforeseen circumstances have arisen.
The most common situations that require roofing services in winter include:
- Accidental Damage
Damage done to a residential roof in the middle of winter can be a common occurrence if it’s a particularly stormy winter. Trees, branches, and other debris can fall onto or through a roof in the middle of winter, which requires immediate maintenance to keep the home functioning.
- Insurance Coverage
Sometimes homeowners will be under a tight deadline for their insurance coverage to apply towards the price of installing a new roof. If the homeowners had to delay their roof installation in the warm seasons, installing a new roof in winter may be their only option before the insurance runs out. Also, homeowners insurance can deny homeowners coverage if the roof is in horrible condition, so the owners need to install a new roof before losing their coverage.
- Home Sales
When homes are sold, there can be contingencies built into contracts as a part of the agreement. A buyer may agree to purchase a home only if the current homeowner replaces or fixes the roof. Of course, a home sale can happen in any season of the year.
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What Can Roofing Crews Accomplish in Winter?
There are some notable differences between installing roofs in the as opposed to the milder months. We understand that circumstances arise where a roof has to get done in the winter, but be aware that some measures must be put in place to protect the crews and the materials if they are to repair or install roofs in the winter successfully.
The weather is the biggest obstacle to overcome in the winter when performing work. As we had mentioned earlier, a snowstorm can arise out of nowhere, which can ruin an entire job. The roof repairs/installation must be booked and scheduled for a time in the winter when there are many clear forecast days without perspiration expected.
The workers themselves will need to operate at a slower pace for their safety and ensure the materials are installed properly. More breaks are necessary for roofing crews in the winter to warm up and regain energy, which leaves the body faster when it is working to stay warm outside.
If asphalt shingles are installed in winter, the cold temperatures can affect the sealant on each shingle’s underside. This sealant bonds the shingles together and to the roof. If it’s too cold, the adhesive won’t make a bond, and hand-sealing each shingle is necessary. These measures slow down the installation process quite a bit.
Roofing crews can install and repair roofs in winter. Clients have to understand that winter circumstances and challenges make for a slower process and work than expected in the warmer seasons.
To learn more about roofing in winter months, please contact us.