Can You Apply Roof Resealing or Roof Coating During Winter?

Though it is not impossible to start the roof treatment process in winter, it is a very difficult path to walk on. During winter, you need to look after some weather conditions before applying any roof treatment. You need to take into account various factors including the proper storage of the products. You should take care of the temperature of the roof surface, condition, and color to the temperature of the air before, during, and after the application.

The usual roof coating process involves the use of a hot air dryer, which should not be used during winter. This is because the heat produced by the dryer can cause snow to melt and freeze on the roof surface. When this happens, it becomes difficult to apply the coatings uniformly. The best way to approach this problem is to wait until the winter is over and the temperature is back to normal.

The other option is to switch to cold roof treatments and resiling process, which can be done during winter. This type of roof treatment involves applying a sealant or coating on the roof surface directly without any heating equipment. However, there are certain things that need to be taken into consideration to ensure that the roof coating or resaling process is done properly.

 

Conditions To Be Checked

• Air temperature should be at a minimum temperature of 55 degrees F with temperatures rising within the next 24 hours.
• Roof coating application is best to start during the early morning and finish in the afternoon. Make sure you allow a minimum of four hours under the sun for the sealants to cure the damage.
• Always check the weather conditions before applying the coating and never apply the coating if rain is expected within 24 to 48 hours.
• When temperatures do not drop below 55 degrees F in the evening and rain is also not expected, the weather conditions are suitable for installing a roof coating system during the winter.

Besides the temperature and the weather conditions, other factors are also to be considered

• Fog and dew can damage the coatings from curing properly and therefore should be avoided
• A Minimum of 8 years and a maximum of 24 hours are required for completely drying the base and top coats, depending on the weather conditions. Roof coating systems should not be applied if the weather does not allow drying before exposure or freezing.
• The base coatings must be stored between temperatures 40 degrees F to 90 degrees F. The sealants or the coatings should not be kept on the rooftop when temperatures are expected to drop below 45 degrees F.

Roofing services allow the roof coatings to be applied in cold winter months. Let us check the sealants which are to be applied during the cold winter months.

• Acrylics- This is a water-based coating that is improperly dried or frozen if kept under low temperatures for an extended period. Once frozen, they are of no use. Thus temperature is a major factor that should always be taken into account for storing the roof coating properly.
• Urethanes Or Silicones- There may be roofing systems that have urethanes or Silicones coating. The coatings are solvent-based and can handle cold temperatures during the drying process. If not stored properly, these roof coatings may get thickened. The coatings should be stored within a minimum temperature of 70 degrees F. If they are being stored on the rooftop, they should be covered with the black tarp so that the dark color absorbs the heat of the Sun and keeps moisture away.

 

 

It is very important to take proper care and precaution before applying roof coatings during winter. The temperature should be checked along with the weather conditions to ensure that the sealants or coatings are properly dried and cured. Proper storage of the base and top coats should be ensured so they do not get thickened or frozen in cold temperatures.

Following the right steps and using suitable products can help in having a well-maintained roof even in winter.  Apart from the above-mentioned points, it is also important to remember that any kind of debris must be removed from the rooftop before applying the coatings. The debris may include loose or broken shingles, moss, debris, dirt, etc.

Cleaning the roof surface before applying any coatings will help in getting better results and improved adhesion of the coatings. Thus following all these precautions can give a perfectly maintained roof even during cold winter months.

 

Frequently asked questions

Q: What temperature should I use when storing the base and top coats?

A: The base coatings must be stored between temperatures 40 degrees F to 90 degrees F. The sealants or the coatings should not be kept on the rooftop when temperatures are expected to drop below 45 degrees F.

Q: How long it takes to completely dry the coatings?

A: It takes between 8-24 hours for completely drying the base and top coats, depending on the weather conditions.

 Q: What kind of debris should be removed from the roof before applying a roof coating?

A: Any kind of debris such as loose or broken shingles, moss, dirt, etc. must be removed from the rooftop before applying the coatings. This helps in getting better results and improved adhesion of the coatings.

These precautions will help ensure that the roof coatings are applied in a safe and efficient manner during cold winter months. Proper storage of the base and top coats should be ensured so they do not get thickened or frozen in cold temperatures. Following all these steps can give you a perfectly maintained roof even during winter season.

Conclusion

In conclusion, applying roof coatings during winter is a tricky job that requires extra attention and precautions. It is important to check the temperature before storing and using the sealants or coatings. Also, make sure that all debris are cleared from the roof surface before applying any kind of roof coating.

Following these simple steps can help you in having a perfectly maintained roof even during cold winter months. Proper storage of the base and top coats should be ensured so they do not get thickened or frozen in cold temperatures. Taking the right steps and using suitable products can help ensure that the roof coatings are applied in a safe and efficient manner during winter months.