ICE DAMS - The most common problem in cold weather is the presence of ice dams. Since ice dams are naturally only discovered in the winter when conditions are unfavorable for roofing, most people need a quick fix until something more permanent can be affected. The problem is, there’s seldom a quick fix for ice dams.
You can try calcium chloride or rock salt to melt the ice. Place the chemical in an old athletic sock or pair of pantyhose, and drape it lengthwise over the dam area! If you use a mechanical means to remove it (chisels, picks, etc.), you're probably going to damage the roof. Most people do. You might also try the use of heat tape (a.k.a. heat cable) which can often be purchased at a hardware store. You must know, however, that fires have started because of heat tape so be sure your smoke alarms are working and review your homeowner's insurance policy. There are many heat tape products which have never caused problems, they cost more, but are far cheaper than a new house! Stay away from the inexpensive products. Get a tape that is thermostatically controlled and made from heavy gage wire. For information on ice dams and how to solve them, consult a roofing professional!
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CONDENSATION - Condensation is also a major winter issue. Condensation occurs when warm, moist air hits a cold surface, i.e. airfrom your house's interior hitting the bottom side of the cold roof deck. The solution is to install a vapor re-tarder at the ceiling level,trapping the warm air and not allowing it to get to the bottom of the roof deck, and providing adequate ventilation. A roofing contractorshould address ventilation issues, you probably should be suspicious if they do not request an attic inspection as part of the bidding process. A separate insulation contractor maybe required to address D.O.E. (Department of Energy) insulation values, typically R; 38-49. Neither are simple, quick solutions. If you have a CATHEDRAL CEiLING, then your problems are generally even more complex and expensive to fix because you may have to replace all the existing insulation, with insulation specifically designed for cathedral ceilings, or you may have to install baffles in order to provide an air space to allow proper venting. Either way may involve demolition of the ceiling or the roof in order to get at the insulation.
ROOFING - People often question whether or not they can roof in cold weather. You can roof in cold, dry weather, but the quality of the finished product may be adversely affected by wet snowy shingles. Most manufacturers of all roofing types have specific requirements about what temperatures their materials can be installed in. For the most part, the temperature is 26 degrees or more. It is possible to install roofs in temperatures less than 26 degrees, but many extra precautions are needed.
For instance, EDPM (flat rubber) roofers need to make sure their adhesive isn't freezing. Composition shingle roofers have to be careful that they aren't damaging the shingles when nailing them. NO roofing guns should be used at all in temperatures under 30 degrees. At ROOF TIME, we hand nail all our winter installations, at no additional charge to our homeowners! All steep slope roofers have to be careful that they don't damage the underlayment which can become brittle in cold weather. Only 30 pound felt should be considered as underlayment, and all underlayments should be installed using cap nails, with no staples. On a roof tear-off, insist that only as much roofing as can be newly shingled in the same day be attempted. Too many homeowners have had their interior ceilings ruined by surprise winter storms that tarps and felt alone, could not withstand.
So why even consider a winter roof installation? Homeowners who have roofs installed in winter months receive the best pricing of the year as companies often just work to keep men employed for the upcoming busy spring season. In other cases, some homeowners simply have roofs so poorly constructed that they cannot afford to wait till springtime.
Roof Time's, Dale Shoemaker, performing an emergency repair, February 2007