Ask any roofing professional, and they will tell you that roofing is a job that isn’t nearly as easy as it looks. It can be very daunting to get on top of a roof in the middle of a fierce summer sun, leading some to believe that roofing a house in the winter is better. Well, no such luck, because then you have to deal with ice and other weather issues. Thus, what type of weather do you think you will have to contend with? What weather issues could possibly derail your roofing career? Read on to find out!
Be Aware of Slips.
Of course, before we even get into the weather-related issues, we have to consider one of the biggest dangers of roofing, and that is slips and falls. Weather notwithstanding, when doing roofing work, slips and falls can happen anywhere at any time. One misstep could lead to a fall and a life-altering event. But yes, there is no question that weather can play a role in this potential issue. Take a look at the different types of precipitation that can cause some serious issues for your roofing crew:
Rain
Does the roof have a proper drainage system? If not, rain could be a serious factor in the safety of you and your co-workers. If one of the roof drains is blocked, it can lead to water pooling up on the roof, increasing the potential for more slips and falls. Naturally, it could also cause your personal roofing equipment to get wet, possibly deteriorate, and not protect you as well.
Snow and Ice
Ice and snow can absolutely be a nasty one-two punch when you are trying to get a roof done not only on schedule, but also safely. The snow in our neck of the woods can accumulate to a degree that it can even hide different hazards that might be present on the top of a roof. It also can make uneven surfaces and make it difficult to traverse a jobsite. Ice is not only slippery, but it can freeze up all of your equipment in a short period of time.
Sun and Heat
Finally, sun and heat can be an issue for a roofing project as well. One of the main reasons for this is not because a hot roof can be difficult for a worker to walk on, but also because the intense heat can deteriorate the roofing membrane and lead to further damage due to foot traffic. Some residential roofing companies get around this by utilizing a raised walkway. Whatever strategy you go with, you should always visually inspect your roofing equipment after each use.
