The Best Time of Year to Re-coat Your Roof

In an ideal situation, a roof would never leak. It would simply go on, leak free forever. Unfortunately, roofs do leak, and sometimes, during the most inopportune of times. A leaking roof during an icy, winter storm or when a monsoon is raging outdoors, is usually not the best time to have a roof re-coated or repaired. If it is possible to patch the roof until the unfavorable weather has passed, that is a good alternative to re-coating the roof during that time. The best time of year to re-coat a roof is during the warm months when rain is at a minimum.

For most homeowners in the continental United States, the most favorable season for roof re-coating and repair is during the summer. Roofers are usually extremely busy during this time, as it is when the majority of their high-price work for the year is accomplished. Summer is ideal, because the temperatures are high and, in most parts of the country, the rains are few and far between. Rain is a roofer's nemesis. It slows down and postpones re-coating and repairs, as the roof coating needs the proper amount of time to set up and dry. Without enough time to dry completely, the roof becomes more susceptible to leaks and damage throughout its life span.

If scheduling a roof re-coat during a rainy spell, the roofing contractor may suggest an alternative coating material that is made to work well even when applied under rainy conditions. It is usually worth any added expense, as it will keep the roof healthier longer. Depending on the size of the roof in question, re-coating may take anywhere from a half of a day to a full week's worth of work. If there is rain during that time, the job will last even longer. If possible, schedule the roof to be re-coated early in the summer or late in the spring, as roofers tend to be slightly more available during those times. An early fall roof re-coating job would also work, as the weather is still warm, and the rainy fall season has yet to begin.

Unfortunately, if the roof sustains damage during a storm or the winter months, it may be necessary to have it re-coated during those unfavorable times. Do your homework about the types of seal coatings that work well when applied during those times, and listen to the roofer's suggestions. In most cases, the roofer's recommendations about a type of sealant will be valid and practical. Expect to pay slightly more for a winter or rainy season re-coating, simply because the job will take longer due to the weather conditions, and the sealant may be slightly more expensive. Summer is, by far, the ideal time of year to re-coat a roof. If it is possible to wait to schedule a re-coating during June, July or August, those months will yield the best re-coating results. However, if a leak is causing problems, it is best to not delay the re-coating or repair process. What may be a simple re-coat in January weather may be a full roof replacement by the summer months.