10 reasons you shouldn't work on your roof in the winter

Image de Michaël de Devis Toiture Montréal

Michaël from Devis Toiture

Blog section Apr. 01 2022

Working on your roof in the winter is not exactly a good idea. Here's a list of 10 reasons why...

Image showing a beautiful roof covered with snow
Image showing a beautiful roof covered with snow.
Source: Photo by Tracy Adams

Here are the 10 reasons.

Note that the first is the most important: 😉

  1. The roofing Gods will shame you.
  2. It's too cold.
  3. You could slip and fall.
  4. The shingles could be brittle and break.
  5. The wind could make it difficult to stay balanced.
  6. You could get frostbite.
  7. You could catch a cold or the flu.
  8. It's not worth the risk.
  9. You can wait for warmer weather.
  10. There's nothing that can't wait until spring.

You still have to work on your roof this winter? Ok, but read this carefully..

One of the most important things to keep in mind when roofing in the winter is safety. Make sure you have a stable and secure ladder before beginning any work on your roof. It's also important to be aware of ice and snow build-up, which can make your roof slippery and dangerous. In order to avoid injury, be sure to take your time and use caution when working on your roof in the winter.

Another important consideration when roofing in the winter is the type of materials you use. Be sure to use materials that are designed for cold weather use, as some materials can become brittle in the cold and are more likely to break. This is especially important for shingles, which are more susceptible to damage in the winter.

Finally, keep in mind that roofing in the winter can be more difficult than roofing in other seasons. Be prepared for longer days and be sure to take breaks often to stay warm and rested. With proper preparation and care, roofing in the winter can be a safe and successful experience.

Working on slippy roofs...

Slippy roofs can be a real pain to work on, but with the right precautions, it can be a relatively safe and easy job. Here are a few tips on how to work on a slippy roof:

Make sure you have the proper safety equipment. This includes things like a harness, rope, and anchor point. Inspect the roof before you start working on it. Look for any loose tiles or other potential hazards.

Start at the low point of the roof and work your way up. This will help prevent you from slipping and falling off the roof. Use caution when moving around on the roof. Avoid sudden movements or standing up too quickly, as this could cause you to lose your balance and fall off.

If possible, have someone else hold onto the end of your rope while you're working on the roof. This way, if you do slip and fall, they can help prevent you from falling all the way off the roof. When you're finished working on the roof, make sure to clean up any debris or tools that you may have left behind. This will help prevent someone else from slipping and falling while working on the roof in the future.

Montreal winters get very harsh...

The coldest months in Montreal are December, January and February. The average temperature in December is -10°C, in January it is -13°C and in February it is -11°C. However, these temperatures are only averages. It is not unusual for the temperature to drop below -20°C or even -30°C during these months.

Wind chill is also a factor to consider when determining how cold it feels outside. The wind chill is the temperature that your body feels when the air temperature and wind speed are combined. For example, if the air temperature is -10°C and the wind speed is 30 km/h, the wind chill would be -27°C. This means that it would feel like -27°C outside, even though the actual air temperature might only be -10°C.

Montreal winters can be harsh and unforgiving. Make sure you are prepared by dressing warmly and staying indoors as much as possible when the weather is at its worst.