How Do I Prepare For A Roof Replacement?

Replacing your roof is a good long-term investment that will improve your home's safety, efficiency, and functionality. You want to make sure you get the right kind of roof lasts the longest.

Once you have completed the task of finding a roof replacement company to work with and set up the date to get the job done, you still have a little work to do.

A good rule of thumb is to allow two days for your roof replacement.

The length of your project depends on the size of your roof and other factors like the roofing materials you've chosen.

If you want the replacement job to go smoothly and not take any longer than it should, there are several things you can do to prepare.

Preparing for your roof replacement project will make the process easier for you, your family, and the professional roofing company you've chosen to work with.

In the article below, we will talk about things you can do to prepare for your new roof.

Should You Stay Home or Temporarily Relocate?

Many people ask, "should I stay home during a roof replacement?"

Depending on the type of roofing materials you've chosen, the scope of your roof replacement project, and the size of your roof, the job can last anywhere from one to several days.

That's why you need to make the decision whether you and your family will stay in the house or relocate to a friend’s or family member’s house or a hotel room for that period.

Staying home shouldn't be an issue, as long as you don’t mind the potential noise and some disruption.

Remove Or Cover Valuable Items In The Attic

Before your project begins, you need to be sure to protect your valuables and fragile items before the construction starts.

During a roof replacement, several roofers will be walking on your roof and pounding it with hammers.

It's very typical for just or other small debris to fall in attic spaces during your new roof installation.

You can keep your personal items cleaner by covering them with old sheets or drop cloths until the professional roofing company is finished.

When the project is complete, be prepared to do some cleaning in these areas.

Think About Your Family During the Roof Replacement

Replacing your roof isn't a silent job. When you're getting a new roof installed there will be some inherent noise that comes with the type of work being done.

From the tear off and removal of your old roof and roofing material, to the installation of the new roofing system you can expect to hear hammering, nail guns and other equipment used during this process.

If you don't want to leave your house during the project, scheduled to have the job completed when your loved ones aren’t in the home because these loud noises will be consistent until the new roof is done.

If you have pets, it’s a good idea to keep them inside.

Your roofers will need space to throw the old shingles off of your roof and set up their ladders and other equipment.

Your pets will surely get themselves in the way and likely hurt if they’re left outside to run around.

If you're worried about your cats being bothered, they can be sent to a friend's house.

But cats seem to always find the best hiding spots.

Secure Your Windows

All the vibrations and debris we've already talked about can also damage and scratch your windows.

To protect your windows and keep this from happening, you can board them up for the duration of the project, or at least until they've removed your old roof.

Remove Your Wall Decorations

We've mentioned that the roof replacement process consists of a good bit of vibrations.

The vibrations usually come from hammering on the roof, and they will affect the walls in your home, especially on the top floors.

So, just like you need to protect your attic and your windows, you should always remove all of your wall decorations to keep them from falling off during the replacement.

This includes any framed photos, paintings, mirrors, ornaments, and the like.

Remove Your Vehicles From Your Driveway

For this project, you need to give up your prime parking space and let the roofing professionals use it.

They will need a place to load shingles and debris, and they will need a good place for their dump trailer.

You will need to keep your vehicles far enough away from this area to prevent them from getting damaged.

Also, keep your garage doors closed until the project is complete to keep out the dust and debris.

Remove Satellites and Antennas

You can remove your satellite dishes and antennas on your own before the roofers arrive if you'd like to speed up the process.

However, many professional roofers will do it themselves before they start the replacement.

Once your roof is done, you can call your cable provider to get them to reinstall the antenna or dish that was removed.

It's highly recommended that they are reinstalled on a pole near the house instead of on the roof itself.

Mow The Grass Around Your Property

Before the roof installation process begins, remove or trim any tree branches that hang low near your roof.

A reputable roofer will use vinyl tarps to protect the plants and grass around your home, but you should cut your grass before construction begins.

Short grass helps keep fallen debris from hiding in your lawn.

This makes cleanup for a nail sweep faster and more thorough.

Move Outdoor Patio Furniture

Since the roofers will be tossing out your old shingles during the job along with other debris, you want to keep any outdoor furniture, bikes, or anything else valuable that's outside out of the way.

You don't want any of your personal belongings damaged, and you don't want them to be a hazard for the workers.

Clearing your yard is an essential part of preparing your home for the project.

It's a safety precaution, first and foremost, to ensure the safety of the roofers that will be completing the project.

You don't want anyone tripping over children’s toys, bikes, patio furniture, etc.

Make sure to put everything safely away and clean up the area.

Don't forget about your grill, potted plants, lawn ornaments, lights, birdhouses, statues, and other easily movable items.

Find Power Outlets

Replacing your roof requires power.

To make things easier for the workers, identify all of your outdoor outlets so that they know exactly where they can hook up their equipment when they get started.

If you don’t have any exterior outlets, they’ll need to be able to run extension cords in a way that minimizes tripping hazards.

Generally, roofers won't need to come into your home, but they may need to use interior outlets.

Find these ahead of time so that the roofers can have power through a window or a door to the outside without causing a tangled mess or a tripping hazard.

Schedule a Roof Replacement

Last and certainly not least, if you haven't already done so, you need to schedule a roof replacement with a reputable roofing contractor.

If you'd like to speak to a roofing company that will deliver a quality roof installation and even better customer service, contact TK Roofing and Gutters today.

At TK Roofing and Gutters, we try to make every roof replacement as stress-free as possible for the homeowners by maintaining high standards of cleanliness and organization.

All that's left after we're done is a new quality roof.

To speak with TK Roofing and Gutters to Get Your Free Estimate, click the button below.