Weather is one of the most important factors that can make or break a smooth roof replacement. Rain, wind, heat and cold weather can all delay your roofing project.
Roofing companies across the U.S. rely on localized, hourly forecasts to determine whether the conditions are right to replace a roof. Yahoo Local spoke to several roofers who said they reschedule at the sign of bad weather. Some wake up at 4:30 a.m. to check the radar before deciding whether or not to send a crew out for the day. Others work in small sections to avoid exposing the roof to rain in case the weather changes later in the day.
We spoke to roofers in Salt Lake City, Denver, Tampa, Portland, Atlanta and San Jose, who share how different types of weather impact the roof replacement process and what roofers do to protect your home from the elements.
How rain, heat, cold and wind impact roof replacements
Rain and roof replacement
Rain is one of the most common reasons that roofing jobs are delayed. Roofing materials, like underlayment and asphalt shingles, need dry conditions to seal properly. If wet, adhesives may not bond properly, and water can get trapped under the roof, which can lead to roofing damage. Additionally, rain can create a slick surface for roofing crews to work on, posing safety risks.
David Johnson, owner of Roof-It, Inc. , one of the best roofing companies in Salt Lake City , said, "If I woke up and it was a 50% chance of rain in the afternoon, we'd start with sections. But if it's actively raining, I'm not going to do your house. See you tomorrow. We only tear off your roof when it's safe for you, the crew and your house."
One of Houston's best roofers , Blue Ribbon Roofing , starts checking the radar around 4:30 a.m. and adjusts based on real-time conditions. If there's a 40% chance of rain or more, the re-roof gets rescheduled. A light drizzle isn't a deal-breaker for them, but they won't work in heavy rain.
Southeastern Roofing & Construction , one of the best Tampa roofers , monitors the forecasts on the morning of the job. For example, if it's pouring, they won't send a crew. If it's just a drizzle, they'll continue to work but tear off only small sections at a time to avoid leaving large areas exposed. Atlanta Metro Roofing , one of Atlanta's best roofing contractors , takes a similar approach, only tearing off the roof in full when the skies are clear.
In Oregon, the best Portland roofer , All Roofing Eagle Construction Inc. , also works in sections and will reschedule the re-roof for the next available date if the forecast is clear. That phased approach helps protect your roof while allowing crews to continue working when it's safe to do so.
Cold temperatures and roofing
Snow and freezing temperatures pose different problems for roof installations. Madison Lemnois, office manager at Colorado Preferred Roofing , one of the best Denver roofers , said they want days "above 40 degrees Fahrenheit and rising so everything can adhere to the roof correctly." When it comes to snow, the company tries to avoid shoveling it off the roof whenever possible. "It's a case-by-case basis. Snow ends up sitting in the front yard, and it makes it hard to clean up nails," she said. Materials can still be delivered ahead of time, even if there is light snow, but the start of the job is often delayed a day or two until the weather improves.
Conrad Roofing , one of the best San Jose roofers , also works around the winter rain. For larger projects, they fully install the underlayment and waterproof the roof before pausing. When the weather clears, the crew returns to finish the job.
Heat's impact on roof repair and replacement
Heat impacts both materials and crews. The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers' Association recommends that crews work early in the day, tackling the west- and south-facing slopes first then moving onto the east- and north-facing slopes later to avoid the afternoon heat. The heat can cause shingles to soften and scuff more easily. According to Sunvek , a Phoenix-based roofer , some asphalt shingles can heat up 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit above the ambient temperature, making it risky for crews and materials.
Wind, and how it impacts roofing
According to DryHome Roofing & Siding Inc. , a Virginia-based roofing contractor, winds can also cause delays, creating dangerous conditions for crews. Gusty winds can also blow away underlayment or other unsecured materials.
What to ask a roofer about weather delays
An important question to ask a roofer before hiring is how they handle weather delays. A professional roofing company should be able to tell you exactly what it does if the forecast changes before and during the job. This includes things like how they monitor weather, how they protect your home during the project if bad weather occurs and whether they work in sections or reschedule entirely.
In cities like Portland and San Jose, many roofers we spoke to install waterproof underlayment first, then return when it's dry enough to finish. In cold parts of the country, such as Denver, roofing crews generally won't begin tear-off until temperatures are at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. In storm-prone cities like Tampa and Atlanta, roofers are more likely to adjust the timing based on the most current radar forecast.
If a roofer brushes off your question or doesn't have a clear plan, consider it a red flag. Delays are part of roofing, but what matters is how your roofer plans for them and protects your home when they occur.
Best and worst times of year to replace a roof
You may think summer is the best time to replace a roof, but American Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc. points out that fall is typically the best time. This is because it's usually drier throughout the country, the temperatures are ideal, and there's still enough daylight to get jobs done. These consistent temperatures and generally lower humidity help shingles bond properly without the extremes of summer and winter.
There are several good reasons to replace your roof in the spring , including better weather, ideal conditions for roofing materials, more daylight and the opportunity to identify winter damage before summer storms. However, in the Pacific Northwest or Southeast, rain may delay some jobs in the spring.
Summer is a great option, too, especially in northern areas. But in hot climates, roofers usually prefer to work in the mornings to avoid the afternoon heat. IKO , another major shingle manufacturer, notes that extreme temperatures (hot or cold) can interfere with the installation process. This is a big reason why many roofers aim for mild and dry conditions for roof installations.
Winter is by far the most limiting season, considering most crews won't install new roofing materials until temperatures rise above 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Still, in places in San Jose or Tampa, dry winter days can offer an off-season window when demand is lower and scheduling is easier.
Weather delays can happen during any roofing project. Talk to your roofer about how they handle delays to avoid any issues in case of bad weather.
