I Have to Replace my Roof but it’s Winter! What do I do???

By Cass Jacoby.  

A heavy winter can be a doozy on your roof, which means you may need to replace it. Learn what to do should you find yourself in this situation.  

When it comes to being an adult, there are plenty of things that you are told about that you know how to handle, like losing a credit card or making a dentist appointment. One of the chapters that is often overlooked in the handbook of being an adult is what to do when your roof needs to be replaced.  

Roofs have long lifespans, up to twenty years, so for most homeowners, replacing a roof is something they will only need to do once during their stay in their home. Most homeowners don’t replace their roofs until they are forced to, which means that many roof replacements in the winter are emergency jobs that can’t always wait until spring. So, if your roof springs a leak between Thanksgiving and Easter, what are your options? 

Can you reroof in the winter? 

The short answer is yes. However, any roofing contractor will tell you that there are some major disadvantages to reroofing in the winter. Roofclaim.com states that the cold weather can cause the shingles to break and crack, ice and snow can make installations tricky and the sealants used to attach the shingles can freeze in cold weather, making them less watertight. 

Still, an emergency is an emergency in any season, and waiting to install your new roof can lead to severe damage to your home. The good news is that roofers don’t hibernate — they work year-round and will help you find the best solution for your reroof.   

Material choices in the winter 

Choosing the right material is important. Asphalt is the most popular option for roofing shingles, but can be extremely difficult to work with during colder months. You should always listen to the advice of your roofing contractor; they may suggest a different material that installs better in the winter. Metal roofs, for example, provide a durable and long-lasting roofing option that can be installed year-round regardless of temperature. DECRA states that metal is an ideal solution for winter installations since the material is unaffected by temperature and will not require sun-activated sealants.  

How can I tell if it is time to call a roofer? 

First things first, identify if your roof needs to be replaced or repaired. Here is Montreal Times’s advice on what to look for before you call your roofer: 

• Leaks - Leaks mean your roof needs to be fixed.  

• Missing shingles - This is another sign that you need a replacement or repair. 

• Ice dams - Ice dams form on your roof during the winter, they will look like giant hunks of snow around the edge of your roof. This is a sure sign that you will need to replace your roof.  

• Droopy or saggy roof - This is a red flag sign that your roof needs to be repaired.  

If any of these signs look familiar, then it’s time to call a roofing contractor. A contractor will do an inspection and be able to diagnose if your roof needs a repair or a replacement.  

Conclusion 

When it comes to your roof, prevention is always better than dealing with an issue down the road. That's why many homeowners get roof inspections during the fall to check for any problems that need to be addressed and to ensure their roof can withstand inclement weather during the winter.  

That being said, should you need to replace your roof in the winter, your contractor will help you through the process of finding the right roof material to be properly installed in the winter. 

Have a question? AskARoofer.   

Find your local roofing contractor in the RoofersCoffeeShop® Contractor Directory.  

About Cass  

Cass works as a reporter/writer for RoofersCoffeeShop and AskARoofer. When she isn’t writing about roofs, she is writing about movies for her master's degree and dancing with her plants.