Maximize Your Roofing Business in Winter with Tips from Danco Roofing Services Inc.

Roofing contractors are always seeking ways to maximize their number of available roofing days, especially in winter. Factors such as cold weather can present their own set of complexities and challenges to overcome, as many roofing projects in the winter months are limited or made more difficult due to ice, snow, or rain. To help you feel confident heading into colder days, long-time roofing professional Daniel Becker, Founder/President at Danco Roofing Services Inc., shares his tips for staying safe, remaining effective on the jobsite and making the most out of the winter months.

Becker has 25 years of experience in the roofing industry under his belt, much of which was spent in the colder climates of the Northeast and Midwest. His first job in roofing as a high schooler may not have been glamorous but the exposure to the industry piqued his interest. “I started picking up trash on roofs and quickly learned that I wanted to do bigger and more important things and work my way – literally – up the ladder,” said Becker, “I loved working with my hands, and I loved working as a team.”

Becker’s immediate love for the job allowed him to grow with the company and gain responsibility. He continued his roofing work and expanded his experience during and after college on the east coast before moving to the Midwest and starting Danco Roofing Services in Indianapolis, IN. For the last 15 years Daniel Becker and the Danco Roofing Services team have provided roofing services for Midwesterners in a variety of weather conditions, priding itself on quality, integrity and professionalism.

Making the Most of Shorter Days and Cooler Temps When Roofing

In most climates, winter brings significant changes in weather and daylight that affect roofing capabilities. According to Power Blanket, roofing in weather below 40º Fahrenheit increases risk and is not recommended for roofers. Even if your region doesn’t experience heavy snow, other weather events such as frost, precipitation, and wind can be equally problematic. Statistics show that 39 out of 50 states in the U.S. have an average winter temperature below 40º, making roofing precautions important even for non-snow-laden areas.

As we enter winter, the long days of summer begin to dwindle. Though daylight may not be top-of-mind when it comes to preparing for the winter season, it is one of the largest adaptations that roofers must make. “In the summer it’s a lot easier when you have 12-16 hours of daylight. In the winter you’re limited to about 8 hours. Planning ahead of time is really crucial,” says Becker.

Even in freezing temperatures and limited daylight, there are preventative methods for smoother roofing during cold seasons. Below are some tips to help you make the most of your opportunities and keep you and your teams on track:

1. Keep all surfaces dry

“With cold weather, the two big things are humidity and precipitation,” says Becker of weather-related concerns, therefore, being proactive in protecting your surfaces is critical. Becker recommends covering the roof at night to protect from rain or other moisture. Occasionally, frost is unavoidable, if you arrive at a project and there is frost or snow covering the roof, Becker suggests using backpack blowers to blow frost off.

2. Protect your materials

As temperatures drop, materials begin to change – this is especially common in TPO. “When you’re welding TPO, you need to really pay attention to the temperature, not only of the air but of the materials both in the morning and the afternoons because those temperature changes can change how the welding works, as well as adhesives.” says Becker. “We take a lot of time and energy to store our materials either inside or in a hotbox.” Aim to keep your adhesives at 60 – 70- degrees Fahrenheit in order to maintain their effectiveness.

3. Prepare for weather in advance

Plan, plan, plan! With shorter working days, it is important to regularly check weather and anticipate possible adjustments. Checking the weather forecast will help prevent added maintenance time when you arrive at a jobsite and inform decisions on whether the conditions are safe for onsite work. Pivoting your plans on occasion due to weather is inevitable but having a plan B will help you maximize your time on and off site.

Winter Safety Precautions

As cold weather rolls in and frost becomes more common, workers are at a higher risk of accidents. Becker suggests three key precautionary measures when working in cooler temperatures.

First, slow down. Take extra time to make sure there’s no ice on ladders or other surfaces where you are stepping.
Second, keep your perimeter lines always in mind, making sure to mitigate any opportunity for slipping or sliding off when you are working near an edge.
Finally, pay careful attention to your night-tie for a tight seal between old and existing roofing to prevent water intrusion.

Leveraging Slow Season to Refine Skills and Increase Business

Colder weather and increased risk mean there are days when it is unsafe to roof, even with precautions. “There’s a dichotomy between wanting to work and the actual ability to work,” says Becker of the winter. It is not uncommon for weather conditions to limit the ability to roof, but if you’re not roofing, what are you spending time on? Rather than seeing this reality as a limitation, Becker suggests that “off days” are an opportunity for business growth.

Danco Roofing Services’ team uses snow days as a chance to refresh their safety and quality training so they can excel in their field when onsite work returns. These off days also afford them the opportunity to perform any necessary maintenance on equipment to lay the groundwork for busier summer months. Though winter may bring less roofing work, Becker notes an increase in service and maintenance work that helps plant the seeds for re-roofing when the temperatures rise again.

With the right precautions and a solid plan, you can leverage winter to set your roofing business up for success in any weather condition.

For additional product-specific information on cold weather application, please be sure to reference the 2021 Elevate Cold Weather Application Guidelines. Talk to your Elevate Rep about roofing products that are specifically designed to install in low temperatures, like Elevate EPDM and TPO SA.

About the Experts

Daniel Becker-Danco Roofing Services

Daniel Becker Daniel Becker, Founder/President at Danco Roofing Services Inc. has 25 years of experience in the roofing industry under his belt, much of which was spent in the colder climates of the Northeast and Midwest.

About Danco Roofing Services

For the last 15 years Daniel Becker and the Danco Roofing Services team have provided roofing services for Midwesterners in a variety of weather conditions, priding itself on quality, integrity and professionalism.