While it may feel like we were just in the heat of summer, winter is right around the corner and will be here before you know it. Thusly, if you have been putting off having your aging roof replaced, you may want to consider doing so this fall before heavy winter storms arrive. The fact is that fall is often seen as the ideal time to have a roof replaced, as mild weather conditions and the end of the peak summer season make this the perfect time for any roofing job. While it may be tempting to put off replacing your roof for one more winter season, if your roof is showing signs aging, waiting to replace your roof could leave your home susceptible to being damaged by heavy storms this winter. If your roof is looking worse for the wear and you have been putting off having it replaced, here is a look at just a few of the reasons why you should consider having it replaced this fall.
If your roof made it through last winter without any problems, you may feel like putting off replacing it for another year even if it is showing signs of aging. However, just because your roof didn’t leak last year, this does not necessarily mean that it can withstand another round of harsh winter storms. While freezing winter temperatures and heavy wind, rain, and snow tend to do the most damage to roofs, spring and summer can still bring torrential rain, and even hail, that could have caused substantial damage to your already ailing roof. In addition, summer sun and heat can cause your aging roof to deteriorate further, weakening its protective covering beyond repair. Thusly, if you have been wondering whether or not your roof is in need of replacing, do not assume that you can make it through another winter. This is particularly true if your asphalt roof is nearing 20 years of age (or older). You should consider having your roof inspected this fall to assess its condition, and if it is recommended that you have it replaced, doing so now will ensure that your home is protected when winter arrives.
If you have been considering having your roof replaced, fall is the perfect time to do so as fall has the ideal weather conditions for roof replacement. In order for a roof installation to go well, the weather should not be too hot or too cold. Ideally, temperatures in the 50s and 60s will ensure that your roof seals properly, which coincides perfectly with fall weather. Warmer temperatures will ensure that your shingles seal properly, yet it will not be so hot that they become sticky and difficult to work with. Mild fall temperatures will ensure that your roof installation goes smoothly and that it will be ready to defend your home against heavy winter storms.
Fall weather also makes asphalt shingles a lot easier for roofers to work with. If temperatures drop too low, shingles will become brittle and easy to break even when being handled carefully by an expert roofer. This can lead to wasted materials, which can increase costs for you. In fact, in order to avoid breaking brittle shingles, roofers often have to set aside their roofing guns in colder temperatures and hand nail shingles. This severely complicates the roofing process, which can slow it down and lead to increased labor costs. Yet, as we mentioned before, summer weather is not ideal either, as asphalt shingles become difficult to work with in hot weather as well. Fall them provides the perfect environment for roofers to quickly and efficiently install your new roof.
Fall temperatures not only make roofing materials easier to work with, but they also ensure that your new shingles are able to bond to the roof to create an energy-efficient and water-resistant barrier. This is another reason why winter and spring are not ideal for roof installation, as temperatures should be above 45 degrees when your roof is installed. These temperatures allow asphalt shingles’ seal strips to melt and adhere properly due to the ambient warmth, a process known as thermal sealing, which won’t take place in colder temperatures. If it is too cold, this sealing process may not take place quickly enough, leaving your roof vulnerable to leaks. Having your roof replaced in fall then not only ensures that the conditions are right for thermal sealing to take place, but it also ensures that there is enough time for your shingles to bond properly to your roof before winter winds and rain arrive, helping to ensure that your home is adequately protected.
Not only can unpredictable weather in winter and summer complicate the installation process, but it can also lead to potentially costly delays. One of the biggest problems with waiting till winter to have your roof replaced is that unpredictable weather can make it difficult for roofers to schedule jobs. In fact, as jobs get backed up due to delays, your roofer may have to continue to postpone your project, increasing the risk that your home could sustain water damage if your roof has a leak. Alternatively, if the weather takes a turn for the worse partway through your reroof, this can slow down your project, leading to increased installation costs, particularly if work slows down due to intermittent rain or because workers or struggling with cold, stiff shingles. Fortunately, fall weather tends to be more predictable than winter, spring, and even summer, as heavy storms have stopped for a while and conditions tend to be clearer.
Of course, one of the greatest benefits of choosing to have your home re-roofed this fall is that doing so can help to ensure your comfort, and reduce your energy bills, this winter. If you were unable to keep warm last winter, or your heating system was running overtime to keep you and your family safe and comfortable on cold Ann Arbor nights, you may be surprised to learn that your roof could be to blame. The fact is that heat rises, and your roof is one of the first places to let heat escape from your home. However, as your roof ages and deteriorates, it will lose its ability to effectively insulate your home, which can significantly reduce your home’s energy-efficiency. Having a new, well-insulated roof installed before winter arrives will help to keep heat in this coming winter, which can help to ensure your comfort, and significantly reduce your heating costs, in the coming months.
Have you experienced issues with pests inviting themselves into your attic? Not only can pests such as mice and rats be a nuisance, but they can also pose a health hazard. Unfortunately, this is an extremely common problem homeowners face in the winter, as attics can provide a warm, dry, and secluded place for many creatures to find shelter. However, what many homeowners may not realize is that the presence of unwanted pests in their attic could be indicative of roof damage. Holes and cracks in your failing roof can provide the perfect entrance into your home for a variety of critters. By having your aging roof replaced this fall, you will be doing everything you can to protect your home not only from the weather but also from unwanted pests by sealing off potential entrances into your home.
Unfortunately, there is only so much that aging roofs can withstand. If your roof is more than 20 years old, this winter could cause extensive damage even if you have not experienced previous problems with your roof. For instance, small leaks that had previously gone unnoticed could quickly turn into a huge mess when the first storms of winter arrive. Snow is another major concern for older roofs. While your roof will have been designed to handle a certain amount of snow, an unexpectedly heavy storm could dump heavy snow on your roof that could prove to be more than your aging roof can take, particularly if there was already damage to your roof unseen below the shingles. Even if your roof appears fine, replacing a roof this fall that is more than 20 years old can help prevent the cost of stress that winter storm-related damage could cause to your home if your roof is compromised.
One of the greatest benefits of choosing to have your roof replaced in fall is the fact that this allows you to plan to have your roof replaced on your terms. Should the unthinkable happen and your roof suffers severe damage after a heavy winter storm, you would be left scrambling to repair the damage and find a contractor to replace your roof in the middle of winter. By choosing to have your roof replaced this fall, you can take the time to find the right roofer in your area that has the skills and experience to meet your needs, and you can schedule to have your roof replacement done at a time that is most convenient to you.
Your roof is your home’s primary line of defense against the elements, which is why it is critical that you consider having your aging roof replaced this fall before winter arrives. Contact us to learn more about the benefits that fall roofing installation can provide.