The Pros and Cons Of Winter Roof Repair in Sugar Land, TX
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The Pros and Cons Of Winter Roof Repair in Sugar Land, TX
The Pros and Cons Of Winter Roof Repair in Sugar Land, TX
Most homeowners will look at repairing their leaking roofs in the summer, but it is possible to do this in the winter if you need to. While there are some material limitations, winter roof repair can be just as simple as summer roof repair. It is also worthwhile to have the roof repaired when it is snowing or raining outside.
A small leak that is subject to consistent moisture will cause major issues for the structural integrity of your roofing Sugar Land TX. An example of this will be the expanding and contracting of the materials in your roof. This is caused by the freezing and thawing of the water and will often cause more leaks to appear.
Do Roofers Work In Winter?
The short answer is yes, they do work in winter. Many people assume that it is too dangerous for roofers to work in icy conditions, but they do need to work in winter like everyone else. While many roofers will prefer to work in summer conditions, others prefer the colder conditions of winter as they are not exposed on the roof in the heat. If your roof is covered with snow, it should take up to an hour to clear it with a shovel, depending on the size.
The Good And Bad Of Winter Roof Repair Or Replacement
It is important to note that roofing materials will all react differently in cold temperatures. There are certain materials that should not be installed during the winter. However, there are others that can be installed at any time of the year. It is best to know what you should do based on the type of roofing materials you have.
A Flat Roof
There are 2 types of flat roof systems that can be installed during the winter and they are PVC and TPO. These are thermoplastic single ply products for flat roofs and will be mechanically installed and instead of using adhesive, the seams are hot air welded.
The alternative to these systems is a rubber roof and this should not be installed during the winter because the adhesive will freeze instead of bonding. If a roofer says they can and will install rubber roofing, they will be ignoring the suggestions from the manufacturer and this can void the warranty. In these situations, it would be better to hold off on the replacement until it is warmer. Peel-and-stick materials should also be left for warmer months because the adhesive will not bond and this will create leaks. The material could also be blown off the roof.
A Sloped Roof
The most commonly used material on sloped roofs is asphalt shingles and they can be installed in the winter months. However, roofers will need to be careful when they do this. They have to be careful to not crack or bend the shingles. Asphalt shingles will also depend on a proper seal between the overlaps which will need heat to bond which generally comes from the sun. Without this, the shingles will not seal properly and this can lead to a leak or to them blowing off.
Asphalt shingles are also more susceptible to ice dams which are large ice formations along the roof eaves caused by a lack of ventilation or insulation in the attic. To prevent ice dam leaks, you should look at installing an ice and water protective membrane. The problem is that the heat of the sun is needed to adhere this to the roof deck.
A Metal Roof
It is possible to install a metal roof in the winter without any worries about compromising the quality. Metal roofs are not affected by cold temperatures and they will not crack if they are handled improperly. They are also designed to allow for expansion and contraction which makes the temperature irrelevant.
Of course, you will need to have a premium breathable underlayment to help fight any moisture from poor ventilation. You should also look at upgrading your ventilation when possible to prevent issues. Metal roofs are one of the materials that can be installed throughout the year without any issues.
While it is possible to repair or replace your roof in the winter, it is important that you have a lengthy discussion about this with your roofing Sugar Land TX contractor before you decide on anything. This will give you a chance to find out more about the common issues that might occur and what can be done to prevent them.