Is It a Good Time to Replace My Roof?

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Is It a Good Time to Replace My Roof?

At some point, all roofing systems reach the end of the line. If you’re facing a Lakeland roof replacement, you may be wondering if now is the time to check it off of your to-do list. 

Now that we’re in the middle of the winter season, it may not be the right time to have your roof replaced. But, how can you deal with severe damage in the meantime? Is it worth it to have your roof replaced now to avoid the ramifications of serious roof damage? These questions aren’t straightforward, but we’ll help you find the best roof replacement solution for your home. 

Winter Roof Installation

Winter isn’t considered the best season for roof replacements, especially here in Lakewood, Colorado. This region often experiences heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, making it common for roofs to be either frozen over or laden with snow. Roofs aren’t safe to walk on when they’re icy. So, a winter roof installation project may be quickly derailed by Mother Nature. 

That said, there are times when people need a new roof in the winter. A major roof issue, like a leak, will only become worse as time goes on. Waiting for winter to pass before taking care of the damage with a roof replacement could lead to extensive home damage. In these cases, roofs can be replaced in the winter with special considerations. 

Asphalt Shingle Damage

Additionally, asphalt shingles don’t behave regularly in frigid temperatures. 40℉ to 80℉ is the ideal temperature range for asphalt roof shingle installation. Below 40℉, asphalt shingle roofing can start to crack, leading to damage as it’s hammered into place. This is because asphalt shingles lose much of their flexibility and strength in low temperatures. To avoid asphalt shingles from becoming brittle, they should ideally be installed in a milder season, like spring or fall. That said, highly experienced Lakewood residential roofers can be mindful of the amount of pressure applied on the shingles during installation to avoid cold weather-related damage.  

Sealant Issues

Roof sealant can also behave differently in low temperatures. When roof shingles are installed, a strip of sealant is used to keep the wind from tearing them off of the roof. The sealant is a special type of glue that may not activate at low temperatures. Whether or not the sealant will activate on a cold winter day will depend on the sealant manufacturer.

In the event that the shingles’ self-sealant strips aren’t activated during a winter roof installation, the roofing contractors will have to hand-seal each shingle. This can be done with roofing cement and will prevent blow-offs during winter roof installation. 

Roof Installation Tools

Did you know that the tools used in roof installation can be impacted by the temperature? It’s true! While some roofing tools can be used as usual in all temperatures, some will malfunction at freezing temperatures. For example, in freezing temperatures, nail guns and compressors may not work properly. Nails may not be set in place as securely due to the presence of ice. 

How Winter Roof Installation Works

There are many methods that expert roofers can implement to safely complete a roof replacement in Lakewood during the winter. Here are a few of these methods:

• Warming the roof shingles

Shingles may need to be warmed before a roof installation in the winter to avoid cracking. The shingles may be held in a warehouse or garage with heating before being transported to the installation site.

• Hand-sealing shingles

As mentioned above, during winter roof replacements, shingles usually need to be hand-sealed. The self-sealant strip on asphalt shingles is usually thermally-activated and may not work in the winter. 

• Waiting for temperatures to rise

Roofing contractors may simply wait out the coldest stretches of the winter before getting to work on a roof installation. 

Spring and Autumn For Roof Replacement

Winter isn’t the ideal season for roof replacement, but summer often isn’t, either. Extremely high temperatures can similarly cause roofing materials to behave differently. Also, in sweltering temperatures, it’s much more difficult to complete manual labor. To avoid temperature extremes, roof replacements are most commonly completed in the spring and fall. These seasons often present the optimal conditions for roof installation in Lakewood.

Contact All Seasons Exteriors today to learn more about scheduling your Lakewood roof replacement.