It’s that time of week again, cold weather is here, if only for a few days. Georgia weather can seem quite schizophrenic as we get our cold days and all of a sudden, it’s summer for a day or three, then back to the cold. We get our share of cold weather and when it get’s cold it affects not only people but materials as well.
Many roofing jobs are temperature-sensitive, with material installation requirements dictating minimum and maximum temperatures. Installing materials outside of the requirements not only compromises your roof, it can void the warranty. Once the temperature drops to 40 degrees Fahrenheit and below, option’s start becoming limited depending on the project and the closer it gets to the freezing mark, the more the materials can be compromised. Once it gets to freezing (32° F) and below, many jobs must be put off completely. Fortunately, here in Georgia at least, this usually means a delay of only a few days.
Although there are many jobs’ that cannot be done in colder weather, there are others that can be! So while you may need to wait until warmer days to get that new rubber roof there are other roof project’s that can be done today!
Minor repairs
Replacing faulty flashing’s, repairing chimneys and fixing gutters are all possible in cold weather. Your roofing contractor may try to schedule your service on temperate, sunny days for convenience and comfort, but any dry time will do.
Shingle replacement
Asphalt, slate or wood shingles and shakes can be replaced throughout the year without a problem. Colder weather can make the shingles more brittle however, requiring special care and attention when nailing and fastening roofing materials to the housing structure.
Shingle Manufacturers recommend installing asphalt shingles when the temperature is 40 degrees Fahrenheit and rising.
Sloped roofs
Sloped roofs can be placed in the winter as long as they are not the peel-and-stick variety. The adhesive component of these roofing systems is temperature-dependent and will not adhere to the sub-roof when temperatures dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. However, metal, asphalt and tile roofs can still be replaced when the air hits 39 degrees or colder.
Rubber and flat roofs
Save your rubber or flat roof replacement project until after the spring thaw. The adhesive that binds the EPDM or modified bitumen to the house will freeze during winter weather, rendering it ineffective.
Not sure about your roof? Have questions? Call us at 770-419-2222 and we’d be more than happy evaluate your roof and see if we can do what you need without waiting until spring!
