The snow and cold usually force a large contingency of the construction workforce indoors for months, but not the roofers. The reality is that roofing jobs do not offer a lot of options to work indoors, and that means plenty of outside time during the winter for roofing professionals. Instead of letting the weather affect your work as a roofer, you should find effective ways to get the job done when the weather gets cold and snowy.
Winter roofing can be dangerous if you do not take the proper precautions.
The Asphalt Shingles Should Probably Wait
Asphalt shingles are the most commonly used roofing material in the country, but installing an asphalt shingle roof is a very bad idea in the cold weather. The adhesive used to seal an asphalt roof needs consistent temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit or more to seal properly. At lower temperatures, the sealant never properly cures and that means that the roof could have leaking issues. If you intend to install an asphalt shingle roof in the winter, you may want to wait until the warmer temperatures in late spring.
Wear Layers
Roofers like to be able to have a full range of motion to be able to get the job done, but the winter wind is not interested in what roofers need or want. If you wear at least three layers of the appropriate winter clothing, then you can protect yourself from the harsh cold. Remember to cover your entire body during winter roofing work because exposed skin can contract frostbite quickly. Without proper winter protection you could also contract hypothermia which could cause you to get disoriented and fall off the roof.
Beware Of The Ice
Ice is a significant concern for roofers who work in the winter, and ice can form anywhere at any time. Before your crew starts working on a roof in the winter, always take the proper de-icing steps to make sure that as much of the ice is removed as possible. Guardrails can also be put in place to give your crew something extra to prevent icy falls. Remember that ice can build up on your ladders and other equipment, so take time to de-ice your equipment throughout the day to prevent falls.
Never take anything for granted when you are doing roofing work in the winter weather.
Keep The Fluids Coming
Because the weather is so cold in the winter, many roofers forget that dehydration is a huge winter roofing concern. Cold weather causes your body to work overtime to prevent hypothermia, and the dry air also contributes to draining your body of essential fluids. It is important to have warm liquids available on a winter roofing job site, but you also need to have plenty of drinking water around to prevent your workers from getting dehydration. Remember that it is never healthy to use snow as a substitute for good and clean drinking water.
If you want to learn more about construction in the winter, then start a course with PDH Contractors. With the information available through PDH Contractors, you would be able to run your business efficiently in any weather and keep your licenses and certifications up to date.