Winter Weather Shingle Roofing

1. Purpose

Ensure safe, consistent, high-quality shingle installations during winter weather, windy season, and dust-storm conditions. This SOP protects the integrity of the roof, the safety of the crew, and the reputation of Flatland Roofing & Insulation.

2. Foundational Principle

• If weather, wind, dust, frost, or temperatures are not ideal before tear-off, do not proceed.
• Once a roof is torn off, we are committed and lose flexibility.
• Delaying the start protects the job, the crew, and the customer.
• Stopping before tear-off prevents being forced into poor installation conditions.

3. Weather Requirements

Temperature

• Minimum ambient temperature for installing shingles: 55°F. This refers to the actual temperature at installation time, not the forecasted high.
• Ideal install temperature: average high of 55°F or warmer.
• Install during the warmest part of the day.

Wind

• Do not install when wind gusts exceed 30 mph.
• Do not install the day before high-wind events during windy season.
• High winds bring dust storms, which:
  • Prevent seal strips from bonding.
  • Cause long-term adhesion failures.
  • Contaminate underlayment and shingles.

Dust Storm Rule

• If dust is present or incoming:
  • STOP immediately.
  • Install only synthetic underlayment if the roof is already torn off.
  • Resume shingle installation once the dust risk has fully passed.

Frost & Ice

• If frost or ice is present anywhere on the roof — do not step onto the roof.
• Do not pry, walk, or work on frosted materials. Wait until thawed.

4. Weather Monitoring Protocol

48 hours before the job

Production CoordinatorVerify:

• Temperature trends
• Wind speeds
• Dust-storm potential
• Day-after conditions for adhesion

24 hours before the job

• Confirm install temperature will be above 55°F.
• Confirm wind gusts will be under 30 mph.
• Confirm no dust storms forecast for the 24–48 hours after install.

Morning of the job

Sales & Production ManagerVerify on site:

• Roof is dry, dust-free, frost-free, and ice-free.
• Ambient temperature is above 55°F.
• Winds are under 30 mph.
• All conditions still safe to proceed.

5. Material Handling & Loading (Stacking Rules)

• Never stack shingles over ridge lines.
  • Cold bundles bend over the ridge.
  • They will not flatten back out.
  • Result: tight shingle installation, fishmouths, lifted edges, early failure.
• Lay bundles flat ONLY.
• Do not stack more than 3 bundles high.
• Distribute weight evenly along rafters.
• Avoid stacking near eaves to prevent slipping.
• Handle gently — cold shingles crack easily.

6. Surface & Deck Preparation

Before installation:

• Confirm the roof deck is dry, clean, dust-free, frost-free, and ice-free.
• Remove all old nails.
• Replace damaged decking.
• Sweep away debris and frost.
• Never install underlayment or shingles on a wet or frozen surface.

7. Underlayment Installation

• Cap-nail the underlayment (staples are not allowed in winter).
• Lap and fasten correctly to prevent wind infiltration.
• Ensure the underlayment is tight and flat.

8. Flexible Scheduling Strategy

Winter and windy seasons require flexibility to achieve quality and avoid rework.

Approved scheduling approaches

• Tear-off one day, install shingles the next.
• Tear-off mid-day once temperatures rise above 40°F.
• Install shingles only in the warmest part of the day.
• Delay the entire job until conditions are safe.

9. Shingle Installation Procedures

Installation Temperature

• Install shingles only when ambient temperature is 40°F or above.
• Install during the warmest hours of the day.

Nailing

• Place nails on the proper line.
• No over-driven nails.
• No under-driven nails.
• Adjust compressor pressure for cold-weather material density.
• Nails must sit flush and perpendicular.

Shingle Handling

• Cold shingles can crack.
• Lay shingles flat before nailing.
• Confirm joints and overlaps are not distorted.
• Watch for shingle edges lifted by cold memory.

10. Adhesion Requirements

Seal-Strip Limitations

• Seal strips may not bond until temperatures reach 55°F or above.
• Dust prevents sealing.
• Cold weather significantly delays curing.

Hand-Sealing

• Apply additional hand-sealing or manual tab pressure as needed to keep shingles flat until temperatures warm enough for seal activation.

11. Tear-Off Procedures

Before Tear-Off

• Re-evaluate real-time conditions.
• Confirm safe temperature, low wind, no frost, no dust.
• If conditions decline, STOP.

During Tear-Off

• Remove all shingles and nails.
• Inspect decking.
• Repair as needed.
• Install synthetic underlayment immediately.
• Install flashings and drip edge.
• Fully secure edges with cap nails.

After Tear-Off

• If weather changes (wind, dust, frost, cold):
  • Do not install shingles.
  • Fully dry-in and secure the roof.
  • Install shingles the next safe day.

12. Safety Requirements

• No roof access with frost or ice.
• Use winter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): gloves, boots, insulated clothing.
• Ladders must be on dry, stable ground.
• Stop work if wind or dust becomes unsafe.
• Monitor for slipping hazards.

13. Post-Install Inspection

Crew LeadVerify:

• No fishmouths.
• Shingles lie flat.
• No brittle or cracked shingles were installed.
• Proper nail placement.
• Flashings installed correctly.
• Tabs are pressed down (hand-sealed as necessary).

Follow-Up Check

• Return 48–72 hours later when warmer weather arrives to verify full adhesion.
• Document with photos.

14. Customer Communication Requirements

15. Related Documents

• Install Day Playbook — standard install-day operations.
• Production Playbook: Roofing — full roofing production workflow.
• Final Inspection with Code Department — closing out the project.

16. Revision History