Winter is here, bringing with it freezing weather, strong winds and heavy rain. As the bad weather arrives, you may find some issues with your current roofing system however, you may be wondering if you can undertake roofing repairs in winter?

The answer is yes, as long as you use proper techniques! Taking precautions when installing roofing products will ensure your roof performs at peak condition throughout the year ahead.

In an ideal world, roofing repairs and installations would be conducted in warmer temperatures, with the best temperature between 21 – 27˚C. However, in Ireland, this isn’t likely, especially during winter months! However, once the temperature drops below 5˚C, you should not apply materials as it becomes too cold as many roofing products require heat for activation. If ignored, this could result in a faulty installation and future issues. Here, we outline some tips you should know when roofing in colder weather.

Keep Gutters in Working Order

Gutters and drainpipes help shed water from your roof, particularly as snow and ice melt. If your gutters are clogged, water will begin to collect and cause problems. When the temperature drops, it can result in frozen drain spouts and gutters which will ultimately lead to leaks in your building and damage to the drainage system. We would recommend contacting a professional gutter cleaning service to make sure your roof is ready for the colder weather.

Don’t Leave Products Out Overnight

Roofing repairs and installation can often take more than an afternoon, and while it may sound tempting to keep materials on the roof overnight, this should be avoided. Leaving these products outside overnight may result in the application not complying with the manufacturers recommendations . If the weather is particularly cold, some products may even freeze! We recommend leaving your supplies in a warm environment as this will make your job easier the next day and ensure you get maximum efficiency out of the products.

What Roofing Materials Can Be Used During Winter

Lower temperatures can have a negative impact on roofing tools and materials and so, it is important to be aware of this when carrying out work during winter months. There are certain products that should be avoided at this time of year such as self-adhesive membranes; these self-adhesive products won’t bond correctly, meaning there is a higher chance of leaks in future.

Before applying any roofing materials, you should also ensure there is no condensation on the substrate, as this will impact the effectiveness of the products. Additionally, if the work is being carried out over a number of days, night seals should be used to temporarily seal the membrane’s edge as this will help to protect the roof from water penetration.

If you are planning to carry out roofing repairs this winter but are unsure about the limitations of the working materials, speak to our technical department. Our experienced technicians will provide you with the guidance and support needed to ensure your roof performs at peak condition all year round.

If you want to find out more about our products, take a look at our website or get in touch with us today.