Ah, the winter. Winter in Cincinnati, Ohio, can be cold and dreary. The last thing you want to do is be outside working on your Cincinnati roof. However, sometimes it cannot be avoided. Sometimes, having roofing work done in the winter is not as bad as you may think. In this short guide, you will be informed of the top pros and cons of replacing a roof in winter.
- Timeline
Replacing a Cincinnati roof in the heart of the winter may seem like a crazy idea, but is sometimes a necessity. Usually, roofs are replaced in the spring and fall, so Cincinnati roofers do not have much work in the winter. One benefit If you have your roof replaced in the winter is that you can usually have it done immediately as there is no waiting. Some of the cons of having a roof replaced in the winter are that it is cold; your heat bill may be more because the heat is escaping when no shelter is overhead to contain it. The chimney can also be damaged during the process causing chimney repairs. The cold weather is also hard on the Cincinnati roofers who have to be on top of your house in icy, cold winds.
- Temperature
A Cincinnati roof that is being replaced in the winter is not unheard of. If you have a significant leak and the homeowner asks if it can wait until springtime, it cannot wait because that leak is going to get worse over the winter with the added snow and ice melt on the roof. Just like you would not perform power washing on your home in the winter because of the ice, you do not want water to freeze on a damaged roof. On a sunny day with no wind, working on the roof is bearable, as you are not overheating. When roofers are sitting on the roof on a dreary, gusty, below freezing day, they need to wear proper warm clothing, which can slow them down due to the extra weight and constriction.
- Equipment
Many of the tools used on Cincinnati roofs can be used in either heat or cold. This is great as the Cincinnati roofers can continue to work with tools they are used to and know how to use well. There are some tools and equipment though that have to be used carefully in the cold weather. Nail guns, as well as air compressors, can both be affected by frigid temperatures. Compressors are needed with the use of a nail gun. Because compressed air is being utilized, it can cause humidity when used which in turn can freeze and cause less air to drive the nail in, or worse cause ice in the line. In either case, the nail is not going in all the way which can cause problems down the road with your roof and possibly your gutters due to instability. Your roofer or professional handyman will need to pay plenty of attention to the depth adjuster on the nail gun and act accordingly.
- Product
Wood and insulation can be used in all types of temperatures, whether it is cold or hot. This is great for winter remodeling work because the wood will not be affected. When working in frigid temperatures though, the shingles that are placed may not have the most significant effectiveness when placed in cold temperatures. Shingles can be placed, but Cincinnati roofers know to be conscious of cutting the shingles in the cold as they can become too brittle and may not have a straight cut. The material in the shingle can lose some of its flexibility, as the temperatures get colder. Most winter roof installs include a heater inside of a makeshift tent or in a heated garage. The shingles should definitely not be stored in freezing temperatures,
As you can see, as with everything in life, there are good sides and bad sides to having a Cincinnati roof replaced in the winter. From a great timeline to cold temperatures and equipment and product failure, you need to make the best decision for yourself and your family on when the roof is replaced. If you follow our advice on the top pros and cons of replacing your roof in winter, you will have the best-looking roof replacement in all of Cincinnati!
