What Happens if it Rains During Roof Repairs?

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What Happens if it Rains During Roof Repairs?
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• As roofers, we dont work during the rain except
  when doing emergency repairs (because when water
  is coming in during a rainstorm, you want the
  leaking to stop yesterday). Perfect roofing
  weather is between 15-20 degrees with no chance
  of rain. If it does rain, moisture can get
  between plies on a flat roof or between
  the felt and the shingles and shorten your roofs
  lifespan.

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We Always Keep an Eye on the Weather

• To ensure that we dont get caught in the rain,
  we keep a very close watch on the weather. If it
  looks like theres going to be rain, we contact
  our clients to let them know that its possible
  we might have to postpone. But if its overcast
  with a low chance of rain, were good to go.

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Heres What we do With Flat Roofs if its
Threatening Rain,

• When we replace a flat roof, first we have to
  rip off the old one. We take spades and basically
  dig up the roof. The old roofing material is
  removed and put into the waste bin. Rarely we
  will scrape the roof down and use an asphalt
  primer to revitalize the roof. Then we put a new
  membrane overtop.

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• During all this, we need good weather. You never
  want to rip up a roof in the rain. If weather
  looks threatening, we work in sections. Right
  after we clear away the old roofing material, we
  make sure to get the first ply (or base membrane)
  down for that section. We use roofing sealant
  around all the edges and details, like chimneys,
  vents, skylights, and fans.

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• If water got into a tar and gravel roof when
  were installing it, it can blister and crack. We
  wont install it unless the conditions are right
  for it. If that means a delay, so be it. We wont
  sacrifice the integrity of your roof just to get
  the job done.

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Heres What We do if Were Shingling a House in
Rainy Conditions

• The first step when were shingling a house is
  tear off the old shingles and underlay, which we
  wont do if we know its going to rain. Normally
  we will take off all the shingles on a house in
  one day. With bigger houses, we work in sections
  to minimise the chances of being caught in the
  rain.

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• Once the shingles are off, we prep the roof and
  install a synthetic underlay. This synthetic
  underlay is waterproof and provides a degree of
  protection. Its not indestructible and could
  potentially rip off if its super windy, but
  under normal circumstances, its great for
  keeping out any sudden small showers. Once the
  underlay is on, the next step is to nail down the
  shingles to completely seal the roof during any
  weather conditions.

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• If it starts raining and the underlay is on, we
  can just wait out the rain and then keep working.
  We know that the second we pack up to go, the
  rain will stop (thats Edmonton weather for
  you!).

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Heres What Happens if Were Doing Roof Repairs
in the Rain

• We get calls all the time during rainstorms for
  emergency repairs. If your roof is leaking,
  youll want it to stop as soon as possible. For
  smaller patches of roofs that need repairs, we
  use a roof sealant, which is a kind of plastic
  cement. It keeps out water and can be used during
  the rain, however this product isnt meant to
  last a long time and shouldnt be used for a full
  roof repair.

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• If its a long-term or permanent repair, and not
  just an emergency water damage prevention thing
  during a rainstorm, the weather should be clear.
• Click here to read about a roof leak repair we
  did for a flat roofed home in Sherwood Park.

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What We Do in the Worst Case Scenario

• We try hard to not let the weather get the best
  of us, but it helps to be prepared! In the case
  that a rain shower does start suddenly, we carry
  tarps to keep everything dry while we work.

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So Enjoy the Rain and Know that Weve Got you
Covered

• So dont worry about the threat of rain if
  youre getting work done on your roof. We keep an
  eye on the weather and we are prepared for rain
  if it does come down suddenly. If its
  re-roofing, roof repairs, emergency roofing , or
  eavestrough installation or maintenance, we have
  you covered.
• Give us a call at [phone], or visit
  our contact page to get in touch with us for any
  of your roofing needs.