How To Prepare For A Home Roof Replacement

Getting a brand new roof can be an exciting experience. Kids and pets may watch in awe as they observe roofers ripping, tearing, hauling, and nailing, they may even want to sneak as close as possible to the action. That, of course is extremely dangerous. Once the roofing company arrives, your house is a work zone. Work zones, as you can imagine, pose unexpected hazards.

Here are 10 tips to help make your roof replacement go as smoothly as possible. At the end of the day, we want you and your family to stay safe when the shingles start to fly.

1. Kids and Pets: Loud noises coming from the home may increase anxiety or disturb sleep habits. While it may be exciting to watch from a safe distance, work zones are extremely unsafe for children and pets. Talk with your kids to explain that certain areas of the home or yard will be off-limits until the project is complete. Since young children and pets may not understand these dangers, you may be more comfortable visiting family or friends while your roof is replaced.
2. Relocate Your Vehicles: Giving your roofing contractor your prime parking space is a must. Contractors need quick access to their tools and trucks throughout the day. They need a place to load shingles and debris. You’ll want to keep your vehicles a safe distance from this area until work is completed. You should also keep your garage doors closed during construction to keep out dust and debris.
3. Remove Wall Decorations: The vibrations from hammers and machinery on your roof may travel through some walls of your home, especially if repairs to the existing deck are needed. Walk through the rooms on the level below your roof. Consider any knick-knacks, pictures or other items that are hanging from your ceiling or walls. As a precaution, remove any decorations that aren’t permanently secured with screws. You may also choose to remove decorative light fixtures like chandeliers to play it safe.
4. Cover Belongings in the Attic: During a roof replacement, numerous installers will be walking on your roof, pounding it with hammers. Dust or small debris will fall in attic spaces during a new roof installation. You can keep personal items cleaner by covering them with old sheets or drop cloths until the roofing company is finished. Be prepared to do some light vacuuming in these areas after construction is complete.
5. Moving Outdoor Items: A shed or garage is the best place to store outside items like grills, patio furniture, lawn ornaments, and potted plants while your new roof is installed. If you don’t have on-site storage, you may want to put these items together in an area of the yard that is a safe distance from the work zone. Keep in mind that most contractors will not help you move any personal items inside or outside the home.
6. Prune Trees and Cut Grass Before Construction: Any tree branches that hang low near your roof will need to be trimmed before your contractor can begin work. Your contractor should use drop cloths 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 faster and more thorough.
7. Identify Several Accessible Power Outlets: Your contractors will need access to electrical outlets while they are working. Exterior outlets are preferred, but if your home does not have any, a garage outlet is the second-best choice. If you don’t have an outlet outside or in a garage, keep in mind that extension cords may need to run through a window or door to get power outside. Extension cords can pose a tripping hazard, so choose an outlet in an area that doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic.
8. Remove Antennas or Satellite Dishes: If you have any antennas or satellite dishes located on or very near your roof, you’ll want to have them removed. Call your cable or satellite provider to make arrangements before roof work begins. If it is an old, non-working unit, most roofing contractors will be happy to remove and dispose of it for you.
9. Talk to Your Neighbours: Let your neighbours know about the planned work. Give them an anticipated timeframe for the duration. They will thank you! This will give them an opportunity to adjust their schedules and situations so that they can be most comfortable while the work is going on.
10. Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Construction at your home can create unexpected obstacles. Extension cords or other construction equipment that isn’t normally there offer some fine opportunities to really hurt yourself. Stay extra alert during this time to prevent avoidable injuries.

Finally, it is always best to communicate with your roofing company throughout the roof installation process. Ask if they have any other suggestions to make this work smoother for their crew and your family. Most importantly, remember that this construction and any inconvenience it brings is temporary. Soon you will have the new roof that you’ve been waiting for.

Do you need a new roof?  Call Dykstra Knight Roofing and Renovations to get your free estimate today.