Can You Roof in the Rain?

Nature is unpredictable at its best, especially if you are in Vancouver. You can expect ten days of rain in tNature is unpredictable at its best, especially if you are in Vancouver. You can expect ten days of rain in the spring, summer, and fall, so people often ask, do roofers work in the rain? Nature is unpredictable at its best, especially if you are in British Columbia.

You can expect a lot of rainy weather in the spring, summer, and fall as you go north. However, while professional roofers take every step to avoid rainy conditions, unexpected rain clouds still happen

But, can roofers work in the rain? The short answer is, Yes.

Roofers don’t work in heavy rain, but roofers will work through light wet weather depending on the situation. Each job needs to be independently assessed because safety concerns and safety risks go up on a slick roof. During some jobs a small amount of rain is okay; during other jobs small amounts of rain are not okay.

For most sloped roof situations a small amount of rain is inconsequential, but on most flat roofs, wet conditions will usually stop roofing work. Flat roofs have different limits in wet weather—learn the best practices in maintaining flat roofs: challenges and solutions. A forecast with a high chance of rain often means rescheduling the roofing installation crew.

Can You Do Roofing in the Rain? — Roofers, Roofing Materials, Risk, and Rainy Weather

The roof protects not only the home from the elements, including sun, rain, and wind, but also provides shelter—and the quality of work depends on using the right roofing materials under the right weather conditions.

When it comes to roofing, it is a time-sensitive job, be it a new installation or repair work. Our experienced roofers constantly monitor the weather for the best time to install roofs. 

You can roof during light rain; each job needs to be independently evaluated by an experienced pro to make the determination. If you have an old roof or recurring roofing problems, proactive roof inspections and planning with the right roofing contractor help avoid surprises and control roof replacement cost.

What if it Rains In The Middle Of The Roofing Project? — Storm, Damage, Shingles, and Emergency Roof Repair

There’s not much you can do when it rains while roofing. If you’re worried about the frequent rainfall in Vancouver, check out our tips to protect your roof against Vancouver’s heavy rain. So all work is halted until the rain stops and clears up. 

Like any other outdoor project, you have to cover the roof with a tarp to prevent water from damaging the roof interiors. While it is not ideal, it is not the end of the world. It provides a temporary solution until the rain clears up. However, if the storm is fast-moving, you will not have time to do anything, and storm damage or a sudden roof leak may require emergency roof repair.

Our Burnaby roofers, who have years of experience to back them, generally have blue tarps and 2x4s (to secure them) to cover the exposed areas in case of rain. Of course, it doesn’t help that Burnaby has a long rainy season, the better part of 6 months. However, it may not be enough. Chances are that the wet roof will get wet again in the time it takes to secure the tarps.

What If I Have to Install a Roof in the Rain? — Materials, Roof Replacement Cost, Insurance, and the Right Roofing Contractor

It is not always possible to wait out the rain, especially if you live in areas where it rains out of nowhere. If you find yourself needing to roof in less-than-ideal conditions, ensuring the safety of the crew becomes even more crucial. Learn more about ensuring proper safety measures during roofing projects. You will have to work around the weather, which is also not ideal—lean on professional roofing services for planning and staging.

In any case, you should have a recovery plan to ensure the continuity of the installation, your safety, and the integrity of the shingles (for warranty).

Here are a few things you can do to ensure that both the crew and the materials are protected:

• Keep an eye on the weather. While it is easy to check the weather, learn to understand the changes so that you and your crew are safe. 
• If you are likely to run into inclement weather, work in sections. It is easier to cover the exposed regions when the rain hits and hence less likely to have water damage. 
• Ensure that you have an ample number of tarps to cover the exposed area. 

Conclusion — What Homeowners Should Know About Quality of Work

Installing a new roof is a significant investment that takes time, money, and effort to plan and execute. While it’s essential to wait out the rain, homeowners should also be cautious of roofing scams. Ensure you’re dealing with a reputable roofer who can guide timing and logistics around wet weather conditions. A long-lasting, structurally strong roof, should be installed under the right conditions; rain is not ideal.