Roof repairs, maintenance and replacement in South Florida’s tropical climate are often juggled around summer thundershowers. The question is, just how much effect does rain have on a roof repair?
Rain and Roof Repair – What’s The Deal?
Some roofing projects are quick and only need a day to complete. These are easy to squeeze in on good weather days. On the other hand, tackling a complete roof replacement can take several days which becomes tricky during the rainy months.
Rain complicates roof work in three main ways:
1. Water Makes A Roof Slippery
Even the most experienced roofers are at a greater risk of slipping and injuring themselves on a wet roof and damaging the property they’re working on.
2. Rain Gets Into Places That Are Meant To Stay Dry
Working in the rain makes the internal structure of a roof vulnerable to moisture, which can lead to a myriad of different problems.
3. Emergency Roof Repairs After A Storm Leaves Homeowners Vulnerable
Storm chasers follow hot on the heels of severe weather and prey on the homeowner who is anxious to get their damaged roof repaired. These opportunists will do a quick, shoddy job that is not up to standard, and leave town before they can be held accountable for their bad work. Many desperate homeowners have fallen for their roofing scams.
What Kinds Of Roof Work Should Be Saved For Clear Weather?
Fortunately, not all roof issues are urgent, and some can be put off until the rain-free months. It’s a good idea to schedule big roof jobs ahead of time to make sure you have your pick of roofing specialists before they get booked up. The roof work that should be saved for sunny weather is a full roof replacement.
Sunny Skies Smile On Roof Replacements
Replacing a roof in the rain is technically possible, but not recommended. Apart from the risks that a slippery roof poses to the roofers, there are problems that rain can cause during installation, such as:
- Shingles and other roofing materials may not attach to a surface that isn’t dry.
- Installing a roof in wet conditions can sabotage your new roofing installation before it has even settled in. The sheathing and wood are vulnerable to moisture and will cause mold and eventually, rot which will compromise your entire internal roof structure.
- Moisture and humidity can also cause roofing materials to ripple and bulge, causing ripples on the external surface of the roof as well. This not only looks ugly but will create problems for your roof down the line.
- The manufacturer’s warranty could be voided if the installer works in the rain in spite of the manufacturers warning.
What Kinds Of Roof Work Can Be Done In The Rainy Season?
Without a doubt, rain complicates the process of having a roof seen to. However, there are times when you can’t put off roof repair for the drier months and have to call in the roofing experts for immediate help.
Emergency Roof Repair
Some aspects of roof maintenance can be scheduled to fit in around your other appointments (and the weather!), but emergency roof repair isn’t that convenient. When disaster strikes your roof, you need help regardless of whether it is the rainy season or not.
Roof Leaks
When the rain pours down is often how roof leaks are discovered. If you wait to have the leak repaired, it can potentially cause major damage to the structure of your roof and your belongings. Depending on how heavy the rainfall is, an Aabco roofing professional will be able to do a temporary waterproofing measure that can be properly fixed when a drier day comes around.
Storm & Hurricane Damage
Storms, hurricanes and other extreme weather conditions are not a roof’s best friend. Additionally, they will require some urgent professional intervention to protect your property and belongings.
General Roof Maintenance
A professional roof inspection and general roof maintenance can take place during the rainy season. If any major work is due to be done, you will be first in the queue when the rainy season is over. These are some general roof maintenance tasks that can be seen to during the rainy season:
- Checking that gutters and downspouts are free of debris.
- Clearing branches, leaves and other debris off the roof.
- Inspect the flashings and sealant to make sure the waterproofing is still good; and that there are no gaps for water to seep in.
- Checking if skylights are properly sealed and waterproof.
Come Rain, Or Shine, We’ve Got You Covered
With four generations of caring professionals to see to your roofing needs, AABCO Roofing, Inc. will get your roof back in shape. Whether your roof troubles are big or small, call us today at 954-426-8500.
For more helpful information like this, check out our Rooftop Tips and follow Aabco Roofing on Facebook!
