It is important to do roof repairs in the correct conditions. So, when is the best time to do roof repairs in Colorado? Well, there isn’t an easy answer for this question, especially in Colorado.
When’s the Best Time for Roof Repairs in Colorado?
In short, there is potential to do roof repairs year-round in Denver and the surrounding metro areas. That is not the case when considering the higher elevations in our state, but for the bulk of people concerned, I will speak to the general guidlines for timing roof repairs on the front range (Denver, Boulder, Westminster, Thornton, Lakewood, Aurora, Boulder, Longmont, Louisville, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Golden, Arvada, Littleton, and even Fort Collins). The weather here is incredible, that’s why we live here. Although there is a potential for snowfall during the majority of the year, there is also the potential for t-shirt weather in January.
The important thing to keep in mind is that any roof repairs that you are attempting to tackle are best completed in moderate temperatures, and while your roof is dry. That means there is potential for completing these repairs year round, but timing your project in the winter is much trickier. In the late spring, summer, and early fall, determining a day to complete those tasks is as easy as waking up, taking a look outside, and if the weather looks like it is going to be dry, get to work! I would suggest getting to work as early in the day as possible as the weather can change without much warning (trusting television weather people is not alwasy the wisest decision). Keep an eye to the sky and you may predict the weather better than the guy on TV.
What about Repairing the Roof in the Winter?
Doing any type of roof work, as I stated earlier, is much trickier in the winter, but it is not impossible. Because the repairs must be completed in moderate temperatures, and while your roof is dry, much more care must be taken when timing the project in the winter. That means, the snow must be off your roof, the temperature must be warm enough (typically over 45 degrees F), and the weather outlook must be clear (I know, I just said trusting the weather people is not the wisest choice, but here is an exception). Make sure the roof is safe to walk on. A safety harness properly secured is a best practice that you would do well to implement. Be sure to wear your gloves.
Now consider this fact coming from a Denver roofer focused on providing service to the greater Denver metro area; the weather will be entirely different here than in ski country. Depending on the complexity and necessity of the repair many repairs could be performed in Denver year round while in Summit county it would be unlikely to perform a roof repair in the dead of winter. For those in the mountains if the repair can wait until better conditions, that would be your best choice. Now for those to the East of the front range it will be a different story. One will have to consider the nature of the repair and if it is an emergency. Only you and/or your Denver roofer would know whether or not the repair should be done in the winter or if it should wait.
If you’re in high country and the roof isn’t caving in from a snow load it would be advisable to wait until things begin to thaw. if the repair has to be done in the winter you should wear all of the proper safety gear. There are too many roofers that fall off of roofs, why should a homeowner put themselves at risk. Leave this work for the roofing professionals that are willing to take the risk in the winter. I for one avoid getting on roofs with ice and snow.
During the winter I’ll occasionally see someone on their roof with a pick axe going at the ice dam with all of the strength that they can muster. I also have witnessed the same roof once the ice was removed. Let me tell you a pick axe was never designed for ice removal on roofs and nor should anyone perform an emergency ice dam removal with one. I don’t know a Denver roofer that wants to get on a roof after a snow storm to remove ice dams. This is a dangerous job and it must be done with every possible safety piece of equipment. Ice dam removal is simply dangerous and most roofers stay far away from removing ice in the winter. If the interior damage is minimal it may be best to wait for the thaw. However, if the ice and even the snow have to be removed than be extremely careful. Better yet find a competent Denver roofer that has a significant amount of experience with ice and snow removal.
Emergency Repair
Obviously, if a hail storm barreled through your neighborhood and your skylight was pummeled and gaping holes exist where the lens once covered, now would be a very good time to perform the roof repair. Of course, we must assume that if you’re performing the roof repair yourself you must possess a certain level of agility and confidence while walking on high places. If your afraid of heights this roof repair needs to be performed by someone else. If you are agile than you may chose to get on a roof that’s safe to walk on. Grab that tarp, duct tape and/or some 1×2 strips and get on that roof to perform an “emergency repair“. If it’s not an emergency my solid advise is to leave the roof walking for professional roofers or tight rope walkers. If you’re a mountain climber and you have the right gear, go for it.
After all of this is considered, planning your roof repairs in the late spring, summer, or early fall is best practice. Keep this in mind, when you are planning your next roof repair. When that time comes around, and you take out your ladder, get your tool belt on, secure a safety rope (so that your legacy does not get you a darwin award), get on top of your roof, realize that you forgot a tool, cannot find it, run to the hardware store, climb back up your ladder (assuming a common gust of wind has not come through and knocked it onto your car, neighbors house, or through a window), and maybe get it finished before the afternoon thunderstorm comes through…please be careful. Or, just give us a call, and we can do it correctly-the first time, and much more efficiently. Contact your Denver roofer today if you need any roofing services. If your roof is covered with snow we may have to pass for safety reasons. Nevertheless, contact us for free consultation.