AUGUSTA, Ga. ) – This morning, we got a taste of some pretty cold temperatures– some we have been anticipating all week.

Since we hit below freezing this morning, we spoke to medical and roofing professionals who say this can significantly impact your body and work. 

Working outside in various temperatures are a part of the job. 

“Unfortunately, working in the roofing industry, we don’t have the luxury of just doing it when it’s 70 degrees outside,” Samuel Leverett of Bright Side Roofing said.

But for some, like Brightside Roofing owner, Samuel Leverett and his team, it can be pretty challenging.

“Understand that these shingles are stiff whenever it’s cold outside, and proceed with extreme caution to make sure that we are not contributing to breaking, cracking or anything else on a shingle.” 

And if you’re someone who suffers from arthritis or any joint condition, you may find the freeze in your bones and not just outside.

“So, starting off stiff, it’s not gonna be fun doing any sort of labor. I will say that they’ll probably take a little longer getting going. But it may be a good idea to start moving before you get to work. Maybe doing some mobility or walking around the house or outside may be kind of helpful,” Doctors Hospital Physician Dr. Hetal Thakore said.

Leverett says he and his team stop working when the temperature hits 40 degrees and lower because of the impact those cold temperatures can have on the roofing materials. 

“Shingles are asphalt-base products. So, as that shingle is – of course – in freezing temperatures, that asphalt material base also freezes making that shingle a lot less pliable and make it more susceptible to cracking and make it extremely brittle,” Leverett said.

Both medical and roofing professionals encourage layering up and preparing as much as possible for the cold temps.