Despite spring being the optimal season to get a roof replacement done, realistically you can get your roof replaced at any time throughout the year. However, it’s important to consider the different precautions that need to be taken depending on when you decide to get roof replacement specialists in. During winter, for example, the weather conditions are often harsher, requiring extra care to be taken when approaching a reroofing project.
Luckily our winters are not anywhere near as bleak as elsewhere around the world. In Australia, it only really snows in mountainous regions. But that’s not to say that temperatures don’t drop, especially in states like Victoria which have a much cooler climate than the rest of the country. Roofing specialists therefore still have to watch out for ice, sleet and hail.
Homeowners might require immediate replacement during the winter months, particularly if the issue that they are having is impacting their indoor heating and energy efficiency. Roofing in colder weather, particularly with rain or ice, might seem intimidating, taking the right precautions will ensure that the process goes smoothly whilst guaranteeing safety.
Below, we’ll run through the top considerations to bear in mind when approaching a winter roof replacement.
Do Roofing Contractors Work During The Winter Months?
Roofing specialists do indeed work in the winter. In fact, roofing contractors actually prefer to work during winter instead of summer. Particularly on hot days in the summer, the heat is amplified when you’re on top of a roof. During winter in Victoria, roofing contractors just have to watch out for hazardous icy conditions when the temperatures drop.
Roofing Contractor Safety
Although there are some very obvious drawbacks to working in winter, as long as contractors are being safe and not putting themselves into dangerous situations, reroofing can be done to a high standard during the colder months. Personal safety will come first, so it’s important to respect limits if a contractor deems it unsafe to work on your roof due to weather conditions.
Harsh Weather Conditions
Roofers must take extra precautions when carrying out work on a roof as these surfaces can be slippery due to frost, ice, rain or snowfall. Precautions include wearing high-performance gear such as winter-rated boots in addition to appropriate roof-fall equipment and taking their time to work methodically. It is advisable to either wait for ice and frost to melt, or it must be removed by hand before any work starts. With regards to rainfall, a roof replacement will be completed in stages so that the whole house is not exposed. To make sure that the interior of the house remains dry and watertight overnight, ridge tarps will be laid out over any exposed areas to keep water out. This is something that we offer at Above & Beyond that some other roofing specialists might not be able to.
What Type Of Roof Can Be Installed
Roof materials can vary in their performance. However, metal roofing such as COLORBOND® steel can be installed in winter without compromising on quality. Unlike some other materials, colder weather conditions do not affect metal roofs, and they won’t crack due to improper handling. They can expand and contract, making metal a good and safe choice for Australian homes. Roofing contractors will also use a premium synthetic underlayment that is breathable in order to combat moisture which is often a result of poor ventilation.
Hopefully, this will give you a better idea of what to expect when it comes to approaching a roof replacement in winter. There are limitations that are to be expected during the winter months, but a reputable roofing contractor will know what they are doing and will ensure that any work undertaken is of the highest quality, whilst also maintaining standards for safety.
