Even pros don't work in inclement weather—and you shouldn't either
Generally speaking, you shouldn't install a new roof in the rain.
Never, ever climb on your roof during lightning storms.
After rain, let the roof dry for a day before continuing work.
Seal roof underlayment or vulnerable sections off with a tarp before rain.
It's not unusual to feel concerned if you're replacing your roof and the forecast calls for rain. New roof installations cost about $5,000 at minimum, so it’s reasonable you’d be worried about your investment—or rain seeping into the top portion of your house.
If rain's in the forecast—or precipitation catches you off guard while you're up there working—it's best to halt roof work for a bit and let the weather pass. Learn why below, plus steps you can take to weatherproof your roof's vulnerable portions and achieve peace of mind when rain descends on a roofing project.
The short answer is no—you shouldn't install a new roof when it's raining. This goes for even the savviest DIY homeowners who tackle their own roof installation projects, as well as anyone who opts to hire a roofing professional to complete the work.
Installing a new roof in the rain is dangerous for whoever's working. It's also not healthy for the wood sitting underneath the roof, which can become damaged after prolonged water exposure. In the best-case scenario, you (or your contractor) should know when rain is about to strike and seal off any gaps or cracks, and tarp off any vulnerable areas.
If you hear thunder or see lightning, you or your roofing contractors should immediately—but carefully—get down from the roof. Never climb on your roof or even step on a metal ladder in lightning, even if it means something gets wet that isn't supposed to. A couple of extra days of dry time is far more favorable than risking a personal injury.
Most roofing professionals won't risk installing a new roof in the rain—which further proves that you shouldn't be on your roof during inclement weather, either. That said, some contractors may opt to work in light rain or fluctuating showers if they are up against a deadline and feel it's safe to continue.
Roofers have experience working in all conditions, so as a homeowner, it's probably best to let them determine when it's safe to work. Don't worry too much about your roof becoming damaged in the rain, either. Most pros will seal off holes and gaps as they work to prevent water from seeping through.
If a roof is under construction and showers enter the forecast, work will stop for about a day. This can be disheartening, but it's the best decision for all parties involved. This way, everyone stays safe, and your roof is installed properly.
Inclement weather is one reason you should always choose a roofing contractor that's licensed and insured. If, in such a scenario, someone got injured while working on your roof in the rain, you wouldn't be liable.
Tearing off an old roof to update it or replace the entire thing is a similar process when it comes to bad weather—roofers will tarp off vulnerable sections until the showers pass.
If you're simply doing DIY roof maintenance, you should check the weather forecast each day before getting to work. When inclement weather is expected, you can get ahead of it and plan a week's worth of work around rain in the forecast.
“If we have chances of rain, instead of tearing off the entire roof in one fell swoop, we work in sections—we tear off a section and dry it in with underlayment before moving to the next section,” says Ami Feller, Expert Review Board member and owner of Roofer Chicks in New Braunfels, TX. “That way if we get caught by rain, it's pretty easy to protect the one section and protect the home from water damage.”
If it rains on a Monday, but the next day’s forecast is clear, your roofers will likely pick work back up that day. If heavy rain strikes, or if your new roof hasn't dried, an additional day may be warranted to allow things to fully dry out.
Be patient with your contractor if this happens—it's truly for the best. New roofs should never be installed on wet materials, and working on a slick roof isn’t safe. Also, if the sheathing underneath your roof wasn’t covered properly and becomes wet, it can warp wood or lead to trapped moisture. This can compromise the strength of your roof and potentially cause mold as well. So it’s best to make sure everything is dry.
If rain showers hit during shingle installation, you or your contractor should cover any exposed underlayment with a tarp. You can use a staple gun to seal it down if you expect high winds that could blow the tarp off.
Basically, play it safe and do the best you can. Unless the forecast calls for the heavens to open up for multiple days, the worst-case scenario is that you may have to let things dry for a few days before you continue on your roofing journey.
D1 Roofing delivers outstanding service from beginning to end, backed by a strong warranty and expert teams. I highly recommend them for their excellence in meeting and surpassing expectations with unmatched communication. Choosing D1 Roofing was flawless decision
Division 1 Roofing LLCThis place took $25,000 for a flat roof job with a five-year warranty and never returned to fix the leaks that were caused by their work. These people are not professionals and should not be doing this type of work. They incorrectly changed the pitch of the roof, and caused more damage than...
While Naaman and Mike were very professional and amicable to work with, there were issues in this project that makes giving a higher rating impossible. We had several communications issues that delayed completion. The roofers accessed the property without communicating with me. Just showed up...
Ohio Roofing SolutionsLyle did a great job removing asbestos shingles from our front porch roof. They worked together with our roofer to make sure that the new roof was able to be installed on the same day that Lyle removed the asbestos shingles.
I have known and used Brian Davis and his crew of Davis Roofing for years on several properties, he is the most honest and transparent and fair roofer you will meet - hands down! His team is prompt, professional, seeks to educate you to make the best decision! Polar opposite of the storm...
Davis Roofing and RestorationIt went very well. They were very professional and very knowledgeable about problems and fixes with flat roll down roofs.
An estimator/sales representative came to the home and met with me after the roof was measured. A thorough explanation was given of all the components that would be part of the new roof, as well as what any cost overruns might occur. The job was scheduled two weeks out following our...
B&T Roofing LtdSeveral years ago Pomante replaced the roof of a small area of my house, the porch roof, with a rubber roof. This is a shallow roof and shingles were never able to shed the water appropriately; I needed a rubber roof. At that time they were the only company I could find that would do this...
We had to replace rotten wood on both buildings and shingle the sides of our dormer walls on the main building. Prior to replacing the roofs we had to tear down a deteriorating chimney to the roofline and Muth and Co worked with our hired chimney vendor to complete the project. While...
Muth & Company RoofingDavet Roofing really did a great job, they roofed our whole house in one day. They hauled away the debris from the old roof, so we did not have to hire someone to do that and they left the area around the house clean.
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