Why Timing Is Everything In Roof Repair And Replacement

Roofing contractors work all year round, so technically speaking, you can get roof repairs or replacements done any time. But if you’re keen on making the most out of every dollar you spend and if your roof isn’t in dire need of attention, here’s a tip: take advantage of slow seasons.

The busiest time of the year for a roofing contractor is from late summer to right around when the air starts to get nippy during fall. This is when people start to get their homes ready for the coming winter and take care of damage dealt to their roofs by the previous seasons. Jobs actually start to pick up around mid-spring as homeowners attempt to reverse the effects of the previous winter, but the busy season doesn’t really start in earnest until just before fall.

How does waiting for the slow seasongive you better value for your money?

It has a lot to do with supply and demand. Business is slowest during winter, tapering off into spring. As roofing contractors don’t usually have a lot of work lined up during these months, you’ll find it easier to negotiate discounts and add-ons. More roofers also offer promos during this time of the year to attract customers. It’s good for their business and for your pocketbook.

PART 1: BEST VALUE FOR MONEY

But is it safe to have your roofrepaired or replaced during winter?

The success of a roof repair or replacement project depends on a number of factors, one of which is weather. This is why roofers, who may be called upon to do emergency roof repairs in all sorts of weather, are trained to work around these challenges.

Of course, if it’s snowing heavily, you won’t see your contractor clambering up your roof. But if winter weather is mild enough, a roofing contractor will be able to get the job done without much trouble—especially if your roofing material of choice isn’t affected much by the cold.

A Quick Tip

You don’t actually have to get roofing work done during winter to benefit from slow-season rates. If you’re worried that conditions won’t be ideal for your roof, you can book a contractor during winter but schedule the job itself for when the weather warms up a bit—usually just a matter of a few weeks. This will allow you to score low winter rates without having to worry about possibly compromising the repair or installation process.

Now that you know how to get the best deal on roof repairs and replacements, we’ll talk about when to actually get it done. Read on to learn about the role of perfect timing during installation.

PART 1: BEST VALUE FOR MONEY

Another aspect of roofing where the importance of perfect timing can be seen is in achieving ideal installation conditions. It’s true that roofs can be installed at any time of the year, but some roofing materials require specific conditions for optimum installation. For these types of materials, perfect timing matters because it ensures that a roof will perform as it should and last long enough for you to get your money’s worth.

Take asphalt shingles, for example.

While there are no strict temperature guidelines for asphalt shingle installation, they do tend to get brittle in cold weather. It’s best to either wait for warmer weather or at the very least make sure they are stored in a warm area. Shingle bundles should also be loaded onto the roof carefully and only a few at a time to minimize or prevent breakage.

Fiberglass shingles are also more likely to break compared to organic shingles, so roofers need to be more careful when handling them. Besides the risk of breakage, cold weather also causes problems in the adhesion of self-sealing strips.

Given these concerns, it appears that asphalt shingle installation is better done when the weather is warm. However, it shouldn’t be too warm, as asphalt shingles also have the tendency to become overly pliable and susceptible to damage under these conditions. This makes handling and installation more difficult.

PART 2: IDEAL WORK CONDITIONS

If warm-weather installation cannot be avoided, roofing contractors just work around the sun. This means they get an early start and install the shingles before the sun reaches its peak, stop, and then resume work later in the day. Additionally, they cover west-facing slopes first thing in the morning and reserve east-facing slopes for late afternoon work.

Due to the temperature-sensitive nature of asphalt shingles, most roofers prefer to install them when the weather is within the 70° to 80° Fahrenheit range.

What about repairs?

Asphaltic sealants are activated by heat, so bonds tend to get stronger as the shingles are exposed to the sun. Warm-weather repairs may be troublesome for this reason because broken shingles will be more difficult to remove. If waiting for cooler weather isn’t an option, asphalt shingles can be forcibly cooled to ease shingle separation with the help of cold water.

Perfect timing for roof repairs and replacement doesn’t happen by accident. You achieve it by planning ahead. Read on to learn why advance prep is important in any kind of roofing work.

PART 2: IDEAL WORK CONDITIONS

In Parts One and Two, we talked about how a good sense of timing helps you save money and ensure ideal working conditions for your roofer. But now we’ll take things a step further and talk about how to achieve perfect timing in your roof repair or replacement project. It’s simple, really: you need to plan ahead.

But perfect timing isn’t all you get by exercising foresight. It also makes you better equipped to deal with surprises before, during and after a roofing job. Below are two other reasons to plan your roof repair or replacement project ahead of schedule:

Reason #1: You can cover all the bases

Different types of roofs have different problems that require different solutions. When you’re caught unprepared in the middle of a roofing emergency, you’re more likely to settle on the first solution you find, regardless of how effective it really is.

In contrast, proactively thinking about your roof will buy you time to figure out the best possible solutions for problems that may arise in the future. You’ll have time to do research. You’ll have time to find a good roofing contractor and consult them about your options. You’ll have time to set aside a budget for repairs or a replacement. And best of all, you’ll have time to catch roofing problems before they even develop.

PART 3: THE BENEFITS OF PLANNING AHEAD

Reason #2: Your contractor will thank you for it.

Roofing contractors are trained to handle emergency roof repairs and replacements, but the chance to fully prepare for a project is always welcome. They’ll be able to do a more comprehensive consultation with you, inspect your roof more thoroughly and find more flexible roofing solutions.

Advance prep also reduces the risk of nasty surprises and last-minute changes that may delay the project and affect the outcome of what could’ve been a straightforward job.

The ABCs of Planning Ahead

When preparing for a roofing project, just remember these basics:

A: Your agenda

Knowing your specific goals and the smaller tasks you have to accomplish to achieve those goals will help you stay focused and organized.

B: Your budget

Knowing how much money you have to work with will help you define the limits of your project and figure out affordable workarounds whenever necessary.

C: Your calendar

Knowing your deadline and how much time you can allot for your roofing project will keep you from procrastinating and help you maintain momentum.

PART 3: THE BENEFITS OF PLANNING AHEAD

Muth & Company Roofing, Inc.

5951 Westerville Rd Westerville,OH 43081

614-682-3060

MuthRoofing.com