Should You Get Your Roof Repaired in the Winter?

If the roof of your home is not in very good condition, you might be wondering whether roof repairs and even replacements can be done in winter or not. You may be under the impression that the answer is no, given the tough weather conditions the residents of most areas experience at this time of year which make the task not only unpleasant, but also possibly unsafe to perform. 

Winter roofing repairs can be done- at a price.

While roofing in the wintertime is harder to do and can be unsafe for everyone involved – roofers, homeowners and inhabitants and ever passersby who– the truth is, it can be done if the necessary precautions are taken. This is primarily in the case of an emergency, which is why professional roofers still work during winter if only on a minimum capacity, and usually for a higher fee.

What about a total roof replacement?

So, should you have your roof totally replaced in the winter? Probably not, unless there is a dire emergency. Aside from the fact that it is unsafe and unpleasant, the conditions for roofing aren’t exactly fantastic during winter. Also, failing to respect the need for good weather while fixing or placing a new roof generally tends to result in a less than desirable final product, which will likely not be any safer or less prone to leaking than your current roof.

There are products available that facilitate and make winter roofing possible, allowing for those urgent leak repairs to be done in the colder month. But the fact is that traditional materials don’t dry properly in the freezing cold – or snow – and they don’t dry well with humidity either. This means that the roofing structure will not be fixed properly, and might even become defective and more fragile. Another fact you should keep in mind is that the leaks are harder to find during winter, and looking for them then isn’t the best idea, particularly if you are not experienced and have no idea of what you are doing.

What if you notice a leak in your roof during the winter months?

If you have noticed a leak in the roofing structure of your home during winter, your best bets are: covering the roof with a tarp and waiting for at least a few days of decent weather to appear. Or, take note of any existing problems with your roof, even adding in some photos if possible, and get in touch with a professional roofer to plan for the roof repairs or replacement to take place as soon as possible when the weather becomes more suitable roofing work. 

Don’t Try Doing These Home Repairs Yourself

 

Some years ago I was a bold do-it-yourselfer when it came to home repairs. I thought going online, reading stuff, and watching videos would be enough for me to handle everything myself.  I learned an important mantra that it’s best to leave the expert stuff to the experts. In my attempts to save some cash, I landed up with greater expenses and more headaches.

 

Sure, there are some jobs that can be tackled if you have modest experience. But it’s best to stay away from doing repairs that can prove really dangerous to you and your house if they’re not done right.

The following jobs are best handled by professionals and you’d be better off paying rather for than doing yourself:

Plumbing repairs

It’s a well-known fact that water will find its way out through the smallest crack. A tiny leak can cause damage to the tune of thousands of dollars if it's not attended to in time. It’s ok to change a faucet or shower head if you’re knowledgeable about it. But you can land up into lots of trouble if you attempt major modifications to your plumbing system -something like extension of hot water lines or sewer pipes re-routing.

While plumbing jobs aren’t as dangerous as electric ones, plumbing issues can quickly get out of hand and then you’re in for a wet and expensive future.

Electrical repairs

Anything to do with electricity requires a very cautious approach. If you’re not sure about what you’re doing, wires can prove incredibly hazardous.

As with plumbing, you might manage minor electrical repairs such as installing a fan or replacing a light switch - so long as you’re careful that the power is off before you begin. Replacing or extending circuits can be dangerous work. When repairs go beyond simple fixtures, it makes good sense to get a professional electrician in.

Remember: A single error can cause your entire house to catch fire and shocks can result in serious injuries and even death.

Asbestos removal

Asbestos has insulating properties, is electricity and heat resistant and provides a good acoustic barrier. Because of this, it was used on a large scale in the past and you’ll find a lot of it in older constructions. Later, its use was banned in many fields after it was found toxic.

Often special teams are hired to rid properties of toxic asbestos insulation. It is possible to perform a do-it-yourself asbestos removal, but definitely not recommended. Other than toxicity dangers, there are certain laws governing asbestos removal because it’s likely to detrimentally affect people in the close vicinity. So think twice or thrice before doing it yourself.

Roofing repairs

The main reason that roof r­epairing on your own is not advisable is because there’s a good chance of falling off. Though repairing a couple of roof shingles isn't the world’s toughest job, the procedure of going up, getting down, and carrying tools with you can prove potentially dangerous. This work is also extremely tiring and more mistakes happen when you’re tired. A simple slip can take you right over the edge.

 

If you have a roof low enough to be repaired using a ladder, it can still be dangerous. Try to have someone around so that if something goes wrong, help is at hand. Apart from the danger aspect, experience is required to get roofing work just right. If you’re trying to do a job that’s beyond your capability, you might land up with a leaky roof and related water damage expenses.

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