Can Roofers Work During the Winter Season?

Planned home improvements like roof replacement can be difficult to do during the winter season, which is why they’re generally done during milder seasons. But what if roofing emergencies happen during winter? In today’s post, residential roofing contractor Dior Construction takes a look at whether roof repairs and installation are possible during the winter season.

Can Roofers Work During the Winter Season?

There are many reasons why you should not schedule your roof replacement in the middle of the winter season. Winter conditions make rooftops slippery and roofers are vulnerable to extreme weather just like everyone else. Asphalt shingles need to be installed under certain conditions. They’re more susceptible to cracking in cold weather, which makes it difficult to drive fasteners through them without causing damage.

Having said that, it is possible for roofers to perform roof repairs or even asphalt shingles installation in  the winter season. However, it is only recommended when waiting for milder weather is not an option, as is often the case during roofing emergencies. 

Precautions Roofers Take During Winter

The following are some of the precautions roofers take when installing or repairing roofs in the winter season:

Wearing anti-slip safety equipment. In addition to standard fall protection gear, roofers wear shoes or boots with anti-slip soles to reduce the risks of accidents.

Careful installation. As described above, asphalt shingles tend to be brittle when exposed to cold weather. Using standard installation methods may result in more wasted shingles. To counter this, roofers take extra care when nailing the shingles to the roof deck, hammering by hand. Instead of utility knives, they may use snips or shears to reduce breakage.

Keeping materials warm. Materials may be stored in heated trucks and only be taken out at the last minute to ensure that they don’t freeze.

Keeping an eye on the weather. If the forecast indicates snowfall or otherwise unfavorable conditions, the project managers may postpone roofing work to a later time. Roofers are hardly busy during the winter season, which means rescheduling roof repair or installation won’t be as difficult as during the peak season.

Dior Construction is your leading provider of residential roofing services. Give us a call at (201) 559-8610. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Bergen County, NJ, and the surrounding communities in New Jersey.