The roof is the most crucial part of every home. It protects from the elements and keeps the home warm and dry. However, like other parts of your home, the roof is subjected to wear and tear over time. This calls for regular maintenance to ensure your roof remains safe and secure.
But what happens if there’s inclement weather on the day of your scheduled roofing repair job? Can the roofers work in the rain? If you’ve also been asking yourself this same question, you’ve come to the right place.
This detailed article will provide all the information you need about roofing in the rain and whether or not roofers can work in such conditions.
Can Roofers Work in the Rain?
The answer to this- it depends. We all understand that mother nature is unpredictable. And although the weather forecast does its best to predict whether it will rain, it can never be 100% accurate. So roofers can only work in light rain or drizzle if the conditions are mild and the forecast is favorable.
It’s also crucial to note that not all roof work will be done under these circumstances. Some of the roofing tasks allowed in this situation are limited to; cleaning gutters, roof inspections, and minor repairs.
Major roofing projects such as roof replacement or underlayment are strictly prohibited in any amount of rain. Such tasks require a dry working environment to ensure that no water damage is caused.
But what happens if the rain persists or there is a sudden downpour? Roofing professionals understand the primary priority of your roof is to protect your home and its inhabitants from the elements. They also understand the safety risks associated with roofing in the rain and will not compromise on safety.
Therefore, they usually err on caution and will postpone any roof work until the weather settles down. Unfortunately, dishonest roofing contractors may take advantage of your situation and try to push projects through in the rain. This makes it vital to strictly vet all roofers before signing any contract.
Why Roof Work shouldn’t be done in the Rain
Apart from rain jeopardizing your roof decking and your home’s interior, there are more reasons why it’s not recommended to do any roof work in the rain.
Below are the key reasons:
Safety of the Roofers
A wet roof is among the most unstable working surfaces a roofer can work on. It increases the chances of slips, trips, and falls that could lead to serious injuries, which could turn fatal in extreme cases.
In addition, if the rain is accompanied by lightning, it could pose additional risks to the roofing installation team getting struck. Usually, most roofing companies wouldn’t subject their crew to this kind of risk during a job, regardless of the training, tools, and safety measures in place.
Ensure to inquire about your roofer’s insurance, the work comp, and liability coverage before committing to them. This ensures they are adequately covered in any injuries or accidents while on the job. Also, confirm whether the roofing crews are employees or subcontractors. The former is usually better covered regarding workers comp insurance than the latter.
Quality of the Job
Water and moisture are the number one enemy of roof decking. When rainwater sits on the roof, the decking can rot, warp, and be more susceptible to mold and mildew. This could lead to the wood in your roof taking a new shape and moving away from the shingle layer protection, leading to its failure.
Roofing materials are also affected by water. Too much water or moisture causes the materials to wrinkle, swell, or buckle, leading to a misshapen and unsightly roof.
In addition, Asphalt shingles have adhesion issues when it comes to damp or slick surfaces. The adhesive strips gripping them to the roof are easily compromised when exposed to too much water or moisture.
Quality of the Job
Quality roof work is never guaranteed when water or high humidity is involved. And although roofers do their best to mitigate the risks associated with rainy weather by utilizing techniques such as tarps and plastic sheeting to keep the area dry, the little rainwater that seeps through can still cause immense damage to the roof if not addressed.
In addition, the structural integrity of the roof can be compromised when it is exposed to wet conditions for too long. Also, nails and roofing adhesive adhere poorly to a wet surface, making it challenging to seal the roof properly.
However, since most roofers understand that they are liable to defects that may lead to the roof’s failure in the future during installation (which can be pretty costly), most of them opt to reschedule their roofing appointments until the forecast is favorable.
Rain Can Void the Warranty
Warranties will only cover your roofing materials after they are correctly installed. Damages before installation, such as the effect of prolonged exposure to rain, will automatically void the warranty on your roofing materials.
So, if the roofing installer decides to go ahead and work in such weather conditions, you will place the roofing materials on the line.
What of the workmanship warranty? Your roofers would have to carefully inspect the areas exposed to rain to determine if the water caused any defects during roof installations. If there were, the warranty might not cover these repairs as water damage is generally excluded from such warranties.
The only exception is during emergency roofing repairs, where a roofer can do a patch job in the middle of a storm. However, this is highly discouraged as it can lead to more damage and issues due to improper installation.
The best course of action would be to wait for the storm to end and for the roofers to inspect any damage before proceeding with repairs.
How Do Roofers Work in Rain
First and foremost, it is essential to understand how critical working on a roof in the rain can be. As roofers, we know that rainwater or high humidity can devastate the roof and the roofing materials during the installation process.
Preparation is always key when dealing with any roofing job. And although the roofers might have confirmed with the weather forecast and be confident there won’t be a downpour, we all know the weather can change unexpectedly.
So what should you expect from roofers who have to work in the rain? Here is a summary of how roofers work or what is expected of them.
Take Safety Measures
Safety is paramount in any job, but working on a slippery roof in the rain makes it even more critical. The roofers are expected to wear waterproof clothing and use guardrails and anti-slip safety shoes. Safety harnesses and lanyards should also be a top priority on the safety list.
Use Tarps to Cover the Roof
Roof tarps are large plastic sheets covering the roof, protecting it from rain and weather. They are commonly built from high-quality materials such as vinyl or polyethylene and feature a waterproof coating to ensure that water or moisture does not seep.
Also, they come in various sizes to fit any roof, but they can be folded or cut to fit any size.
Expert roofers understand how rain clouds can be uncertain. Therefore, they depend on tarps as their first line of defense in case of the slightest chance that rain might occur during a roofing project.
So how do they facilitate the roofers to work in the rain? It’s pretty simple! The roofers place the tarps over the entire (or section of the roof) to provide initial coverage.
Following this, they can create a shield further by using protective barriers such as plastic sheets. This allows them to work in the rain without damage or disruption from the elements.
However, it’s crucial to note that working using tarps is only applicable in little rain. We recommend laying off further roof work when it’s pouring heavy and resuming once the rain subsides.
Additionally, extreme jobs like tearing off the entire roof or replacing the entire decking are not advised in the rain, even when using tarps. These jobs require a dry area free of water, which is nearly impossible to achieve in the rain.
How to Prevent Rain on Unfinished Roof
Rain pouring on an unfinished roof is among the worst ordeals homeowners and roofers encounter during roof installation or repair.
Rainwater is notorious for causing costly damages, such as leaking, cracking, and rotting of roofing materials. Also, it weakens the roof’s structure, compromising the strength and integrity of the roof.
Experienced roofers understand these risks, so they prefer to work in dry weather whenever possible. However, they also take their time to analyze how long the roofing project would take and if, within the timeframe, rain could occur. This would let them plan and take preventive measures to prevent rain from infiltrating the roof during roof repair or installation.
So what happens when the roofer is done for the day, the roof is unfinished, and rain is predicted? Should you panic? Not! There are a few options an experienced roofer can explore to protect your unfinished roof from the rain. Below is a summary of a few preventive measures they can take:
Be Prepared
Adequate preparation is crucial when working on a roof- especially one that requires tearing down and replacing. Also, good preparation helps you avoid sudden situations (like rain) that might alter the quality of work or expectations.
The roofing contractor should clearly outline the weather forecast before commencing with the roofing job. This should entail a predicted weather pattern on when the rain is, the amount expected, and how long it will last.
This would help the contractor determine the time they have to complete the job and whether it’s feasible to finish before the rain comes.
Work in Small Segments
You will realize that roofing specialists work in small segments for roof replacement jobs. This means completing a few sections of the roof before moving on to the next. This is done for several reasons, including safety and quality control.
However, the main reason why roofers do this is to ensure the unfinished roof is not exposed to rain in case it pours overnight.
Covering and Securing with Tarps
As mentioned earlier, tarps are among the top-list tools a roofer should have at all times. Tarps help to cover and secure the unfinished sections of the roof, protecting them from rainwater and moisture.
You can also use them to cover any roofing material and tools, which should be left at the job site until the roofing project is completed.
Tarps can be easily secured around the roof’s edges with nails, bungee cords, or ropes. The roofers can also use boards or weights on the tarps for a snug fit.
The tarp should be waterproof and, preferably, have rust-resistant grommets. This will ensure that the wind or rain won’t easily damage it and will remain in place throughout the night.
What Issues does Rain Present for a Roofing Job?
There are a lot of issues that rain presents during a roofing job. These issues are critical and can cause many problems if not addressed.
Your roof’s safety, for instance, is put at risk if it is exposed to excessive amounts of rain. Ceiling damage and wood rot can result from leaks and water infiltration, which can be costly to repair.
The overall quality of the roof being worked on is another issue presented by rain. It can be challenging for roofers to properly inspect and repair any damage that may already exist during a rainstorm. This can lead to poor workmanship, resulting in shoddy repairs and structural issues.
Conclusion
Do roofers work in the rain? Roofing in the rain is not recommended unless when handling emergency repairs. Working in the rain presents many safety risks to the roofing installer and the quality of work done.
It is best to wait until the rain has subsided and the roofing materials have dried before attempting to work on your new roof. We also recommend vetting and selecting an experienced roofing firm. These firms can help you assess the condition of your roof, efficiently manage an emergency roof repair, and recommend steps to prevent further damage caused by rain.