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Roof Repairs in Bad Weather

Roof Repairs in Bad Weather


We’re staying home a lot more than usual these days due to the pandemic, making it the perfect time for roof repairs.

Utah features some extreme temperatures and unpredictable weather, though, so is it wise, and more importantly, safe? Right now we’re experiencing the dog days of summer, and soon we’ll get the brisk autumn rain before feet of frozen snow in winter. 

Is it possible to fix a roof during bad weather? Find out below. 

Roof Repair in the Heat

You might face some challenges and dangers if you attempt to repair your roof in the middle of the hottest summer day. Summer might give you more time to work on roof repairs, but there are also hazards. 

  • Oppressive heat can be dangerous for you or a roofing professional
  • Metal roofing can get hot enough to burn at a touch
  • Shingles can grow soft and even melt under hot conditions, as well as other materials, such as a sealant, that you might use.

Roof Repair in the Rain or Snow 

The ideal weather conditions for repairing a roof is a warm, calm day, but that may not work with your schedule. Although the rainy season isn’t the best time, you can still have repairs performed in the rain, as long as it’s not storming. This means that if a drizzle suddenly pops up while you're working or having a professional doing repairs, there shouldn’t be an issue. If the situation does occur, it’s important to cover your materials and prioritize safety. 

Water Damage Effects 

Your main concern when roofing in the middle of a storm, aside from wind or lightning, should be water damage. Unshingled roofs are exposed, so rainwater can affect the roofing structure. Should you leave it until the rain stops or shingle it in the rain? Here are some factors to consider: 

  • Shingles won’t fasten well if done in heavy rain, ​but there’s also an increased risk of fungal and organic growth on your roof or in the interior. Humidity is a factor when installing roofing materials and shouldn’t be attempted in high humid conditions. The inner components of your roof are susceptible to the effects of water damage, and if humidity is high, it can cause the shingles to warp and bulge. Further, they could easily slip off if fastening materials are done during colder weather.
  • Improper installation can void a warranty. ​If the installation is done in potentially bad weather, a roofing manufacturer may void the warranty, even if they provide service warranties. Technically, they have a set of advised conditions for installing roofing materials to ensure the best outcome and minimize any damage or installation issues.
  • Worker danger increases ​when the installation is done in rainy weather. Slippery conditions will be a bigger problem due to ice sheets forming on your roof from flowing water during the winter. Also, if hail falls, that can be a significant problem in the summer.

Contact The Roof Doctor 

The Roof Doctor specializes in roof repairs, and we’re more than happy to assist you. We’ll follow the best working conditions when we fix your roof. 

We serve Salt Lake city and County, as well as surrounding counties. Our licensed roofing contractors are extra cautious in these unprecedented times, so please reach out and get a free estimate today.

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Roofing, Shingles and Fire Protection

roofing shingles fire protection

While it may never have happened to you and might never happen over the course of your life, we should all be prepared in the event of a fire. These disasters can start for a variety of reasons, and can lead to both injury or death and major property damage and destruction.

At The Roof Doctor, we’re here to tell you that your residential roofing may play a larger role in fire suppression that you had previously thought. As a Utah resident, you might think you’re safe from fire risks now that winter is approaching – this couldn’t be further from the case, as the state’s dry conditions are still absolutely ripe for fires even as the temperatures drop. Let’s go over how shingles help protect your home or building if a fire takes place, plus some basic tactics for limiting your risk of fire damage if one does happen.

roofing shingles fire protection

Shingles and Fighting Fires

When it comes to roofing and fires, shingles are the most important element. Originally developed for waterproofing, it was quickly realized that shingles constructed using fiberglass rather than asbestos were fantastic for preventing fire risks in a given building.

What’s important here is the class rating of your shingles. For optimal fire protection, you want Class A-rated fiberglass-asphalt shingles – these are not fireproof, per se, but they’re highly fire resistant. This means they won’t contribute to the spread of a fire, which is vital for preventing mass fire issues. During a fire, Class A-rated shingles won’t break off, won’t crack, won’t warp, and most of wall won’t risk exposing the underlying parts of the roof. Flames will be contained only to the shingles themselves, which also won’t give off burning embers that spread the fire elsewhere.

On the other hand, shingles that are not A-rated should not be used if fire safety is a top priority.

Fire-Feeding Conditions

As we noted, shingles are fire-resistant – they will stop the spread of a fire, but they will not actually put it out or stop it from starting to begin with. For better safety in these areas, you have to take some basic precautions: Trim overhanging tree branches near the roof, for instance, especially any near electric power lines. Keep tall shrubs or bushes away from the side of your home, and collect dry leaves during the fall period to eliminate possible kindling.

Indoor Considerations

If a fire originates inside the home, it might not matter if you have high-quality shingles – many of your materials will be burned up before it ever reaches this point. For this reason, we recommend basic fire safety practices like turning off electronics and stoves when not in use, keeping fire extinguishers in the home, and keeping children away from any sources of flames. In addition, we recommend fiberglass attic insulation, which will not burn in the case of a fire that begins inside the home.

For more on shingles, roofs and fire protection, or to learn about any of our designer roof shingles or roofing repair services, speak to the staff at The Roof Doctor today.