How to Prepare for a Roof Replacement
Getting your roof replaced is a big deal. It’s an investment and a time-consuming project, one that usually takes a full day. Depending on how big your roof is, workers may even need longer than a day to complete the job. How can you help prepare your house to ensure everything goes smoothly?
Consider Your Family During the Roof Replacement
Roofers aren’t the quiet type. When you have your roof replaced, you can definitely prepare for a cacophony of loud noises: tools smacking against the roof, the sound of your old shingles being thrown off, roofers stomping around on the surface, equipment being run incessantly, and the hammering of new shingles getting installed.
It’s a good idea to prepare for your replacement roof by scheduling to have the job completed when the kids aren’t in the house, as these loud noises tend to raise anxiety levels fairly quickly.
For pets, it’s best to keep them inside. Roofers need space to throw off old shingles, set up ladders and other equipment, and pets will surely get themselves in the way—or hurt—if they’re outside running around.
Cats, on the other hand, can be ushered off to a friend’s house if you’re concerned about them reacting to the noise levels, but otherwise, they always find the best hiding spots.
Take Down Your Priceless Art
Believe it or not, but all of that hammering affects your entire house. That means the walls will react to the pounding your roofers are doing during the replacement and anything you have hanging on the walls can slip right off their hooks and smash into the floor. Any paintings, pictures, or wall decorations that look as if they’re one tremor away from falling should be removed when you’re preparing for your roof replacement.
The same can be said about any fragile knickknacks, decorations, vases, china, or other items that could tip over and smash due to the roofers exerting the use of heaving machinery or vibrations from their hammers.
Store these in bubble wrap some place safe for the time being. Even if you’re not sure about something like a chandelier or a crystal light fixture, take it down anyway. You’re better safe than sorry.
Clear Valuables from the Attic
Experienced roofers will work hard to minimize the dust and debris created during your roof’s installation, but there’s no getting around the fact that roofing is a messy, dusty job.
If you store heirlooms or valuable items in your attic, consider moving them to a safe spot until the job is complete. If certain items are too bulky or heavy to move, try covering them with drop cloths or a plastic sheet to protect them from dust and shingle debris.
Be a Good Neighbor
Chances are, your neighbors will be nearly as excited as you are to see your home getting a brand new roof. Major exterior upgrades like a new roof boost your home’s value, as well as the value of properties around you.
Before the roofers get started, however, it’s a good idea to give your neighbors a heads up that you’re replacing your roof. This small courtesy can go a long way — especially if they have pets or children who might be disturbed by the noise and commotion that inevitably occurs during installation.
Remove Wall Decorations
The roof replacement process, as it was mentioned before, includes some vibrations. These vibrations, usually from the hammering on the roof, can affect all the walls in your home, especially the ones on the top floors. Therefore, to prevent any objects from falling off the wall, make sure to take them off before the replacement starts. This includes any framed photos, paintings, mirrors, ornaments, and similar.
Secure Your Windows
The previously mentioned vibrations and debris that can fall from the roof can also damage and scratch your windows. In order to protect them, it is best to board them up for the duration of the project or at least until the old roof has been stripped off completely.
Decide if You Want to Stay or Temporarily Relocate
Depending on the type of the project, of the scope of the replacement and the size of your roof, the job can last anywhere from one to several days. You should, therefore, decide whether you and your family will stay in the house (if you don’t mind the potential noise and some disruption) or if you want to relocate to a friend’s or family member’s house for that period.
Clear your vehicles from the driveway and garage:
The night before your roofing team arrives, park your cars a safe distance away on the street. If you wait until the morning, your car might get trapped as a supplier tries to drop off shingles or other materials. Plus, the roofers will need to use your driveway all day. They will park their garbage bin in the driveway and bring their equipment nearby so they can place it on the roof when they need it.You might be tempted to put your vehicle in the garage if you won’t be using it and aren’t worried about it getting trapped there for the replacement. However, this is a bad idea. Garage roofs are usually not insulated, so shingle granules and nails will drop through the roof as the roofers work. The granules will then gather on your car and will scratch the paint as you wipe them away. The safest place for your vehicle is the street.
Clear the garden:
Take a peek into the garden and move what you can. This might include solar-powered lights, statues, mosaic stepping stones, potted plants, water fountains, wind chimes, bird houses, and bird feeders. A dropped shingle could damage all of these delicate items. Plus, you don’t want the local birds trying shingle granules for lunch!
Cut The Grass Around Your Property
Any tree branches that hang low near your roof will need to be trimmed before we can begin work. We also use vinyl tarps to protect plants and grass in the immediate perimeter of your home, but you need to cut grass a day before construction begins. Short grass will help keep fallen debris from hiding in your lawn, making cleanup for a nail sweep faster and more thorough.
Arrange Satellite Dish Re-installation
If you have any antennas or satellite dishes located on or very near your roof, we will remove them. After the roof replacement, call your cable or satellite provider to make arrangements to have it re-installed. We heavily recommend having your dish installed on a pole near your home and not on the roof, as this can be a problem area for leaking if it is not installed properly, and can affect the warranty.