Roofing in the Winter.

I'm getting a small sampling of what its like to be a Northern Roofer. We had what they referred to as a snow storm around here about two weeks ago that shut down the northern half of the state. ( 2-3 inches ) lol. The calls for estimates ground to a halt and it stayed that way for over a week.

I finally got to do a few little repairs and then lucked up and sold a small roof job this past Monday but the weather has gone down the toilet a little more every day since then. I had everything lined up beautifully to start in the morning ( Thursday ) but now it's snowing like there's no tomorrow! lol

I sympathize with you guys that have to deal with this every winter.

It's really not that bad. We just don't do anything in the winter. I guess we have shoveled a few roofs this winter, but not much of anything since Dec 10. It doesn't look good for the next few weeks either.

My repairs pick up quite a bit, instead of maintenance. so not only do we deal with the weather but so do all the other contractors and we all time everything to work depending on the weather. lets just say, we are all in agreement that this time of year isn't the best time to cut in a roof top unit. we'll wait till spring.

It's only been 2 hours since I created the post and the ground was just wet, now there's 4 inches of snow accumulation on the ground and by looking at the radar, it appears the snow showers should last another 2 hrs.

But it's supposed to be sunny and 47 degrees tomorrow so maybe all this will be gone by days end. Then within one week the temperatures are forecast to rise into the 70's.

Is mother nature on steroids or what's up?

Its the same up here, but the snow just might stay on the ground for 2 months. Michigan weather goes like this, "If you don't like it, wait ten minutes and it will change."

I thought that was a true Southern IL saying OS. I feel so let down.

Got an email last night to schedule the first roof clearing for Friday. Time to start getting the weight off the roofs.

Getting geared up here too Lefty. All of the calcium chloride is gone from the stores.

Are you steaming? Hammer/ chiseling or melting w/ cc? (What are the other choices?)

OK, It's time to head out to start on the job! Yeah Right!

Twill59,

Shovel it. I do not remove any ice unless it is necessary. You get most of tgeh show off just because of weight. Then you get one spot of the shingles clear and the mother nature will clear the rest. Unless the customer wants to pay to have us clean it all.

Just had 2 guys on a resturant roof for 3 days. They had there Wendy's remodeled this past summer. The contractor did not call us to do the roofing work. We put the roof on in 1999. They screwed up the roof so that it leaks all over. We needed to clear that ice and snow, then make the temporary repairs till we can put on a new roof in the spring.

Chuck,

We would be out there. Clear the roof and start ripping. We work year round.

You are correct about the snow Lefty.

Removing the ice it seems, melting or salting it, is probably only to create drainage/ a drain channel.......and then good luck with that!

Ice only gets removed if necessary.........gotcha Only if the water is pouring in and the customer insists on it?

Man it's been a long time since we did this. I'm thinking 1999/ 2000

Take the day off Willie.......... :laugh:

Twill59,

Ice on shingle roof we chop a channel with a hachet.

Did a flat roof yesterday. The roof was fine. The downspout froze at the ground and continued up to the roof. Broke the ice around the downspout then thawed the inside of the downspout till I could get it off the building. Then continued to thaw the roof drain.

Will put up new downspout in the spring.

We've been working on a nursing home this winter. Flex core deck. 24" overhangs, min. Drains at the wall.

Iced up downs/ drains and one backed into the flexcore. Came about 17' into the building

We get a call about every other week. Looking at replacing the 11 drains come spring. 1st 2 T&M, then price the other 9.

Dry for now

Chuck, look at your picture with the snow on the drive next to the fence and imagine the snow being close to the top of the fence...all over. that is what we are dealing with. We have shoveled off some roofs, but I don't want to do too much of it. we will do the repairs from the guys chopping holes into the ice in the spring. No offence Lefty.