Are You Able to do Roof and Chimney Repairs in the Winter?

For many homeowners, roof and chimney problems tend to pop up during the harsher weather of the winter months.  The harsher weather tends to create issues such as ice dams, condensations, and damage to structures. Typically, homeowners should have prepared their roof and chimney for the winter weather during the fall, but if an issue does pop up during the winter, don’t despair – repairs can be done during the winter, and some issues should be dealt with right away to avoid further damage.

Chimney Repairs in Winter

Many leaks occur where the roof meets with the home’s siding, chimney, or skylights. These connection points should be inspected for holes, cracks, and other signs of damage. A roofing contractor will be able to fix these problems even in winter as long as they are careful to ensure that the adhesives used for repairs do not freeze.

Roof Repairs in Winter

If your roof has damaged shingles, it’s imperative to have them fixed promptly – no matter what time of year it is. Otherwise you could end up with a leaking roof, and further structure damage to your home. Shingles that are nailed down or use other metal fasteners can be repaired and replaced any time of year. It is important to pay attention to prevent cracking in roofing materials that may already be fragile.

Gutter repairs may also be necessary in winter to ensure that your roof is kept dry an clear during the winter. Broken down gutters can cause water damage to the roof and interior of the home. As long as the day is dry, gutters can be repaired or replaced during winter.

Roof Replacement in Winter

Replacing an entire roof will see some obstacles in winter time, but most types of roofs can be replaced any time of the year. Certain precautions may need to be taken such as hand-sealing the shingles to ensure they seal properly.  Flat roofs will likely need to wait until spring to replace because the adhesive used in flat roofing is temperature dependent.

Repairs to the roof and chimney of your home do not necessarily need to wait until springtime to be completed – and in some cases, it may be better to have work done sooner rather than waiting.