A roof replacement can be an exciting undertaking and one of the most essential investments you can make for your house. Your family may be in awe as they watch roofers tearing, ripping, nailing and hauling away on the roof. However, your home will be turned into a work zone and might be extremely dangerous for kids and pets due to the numerous unexpected hazards. It’s essential to ensure you adequately prepare your house for a roof replacement and choose a roofing company that prioritizes safety and a seamless experience for your family. Below are tips to make your home ready for a roof replacement:
- Relocate your vehicles
Giving roofing contractors a working space is essential. And what better area to offer than your parking space? Contractors need to have easy and quick access to their trucks and tools as they work on your roof. They will need space to load debris and shingles. It’s therefore essential to keep your cars at a safe distance from the work area until completion of the project.
- Cover up everything in the attic
Roof constructors will be pounding the roof with a hammer and walking on it. This will cause debris and dust particles to fall in the attic during the installation. To keep your household items safe and clean, cover them up with drop cloths or old sheets until the job is done. Remove any items that may break and keep them in safer rooms. Nonetheless, be prepared to do a light cleaning after the construction work is done.
- Cut the grass and prune your trees
Low hanging tree branches will need pruning before the roofing construction work can begin. The contractors should put drop cloths around the house perimeter to protect your grass from falling debris. However, you must trim and cut down the grass at least one day before the work begins. This measure is to ensure easy clean-up of the debris that falls on the lawn during construction.
- Remove your satellite dishes and antennas
Any satellite dishes and antennas that are located anywhere near your roof should be removed. Call the satellite or cable provider to schedule an arrangement before construction work begins to prevent any damages.
- Be courteous and inform your neighbors
Tell your neighbors about the scheduled roof construction work in advance. Please give them the projected time-frame for the construction duration. You should talk to your neighbor to help them adjust their schedule and anticipate the noise and inconveniences that may be caused by the work. They will thank you for this!
- Identify easily accessible power sockets
The contractors will need easy access to electricity as they’re working. If your house doesn’t have any exterior outlets, you can use the garage one and substitute that with extension cords. Organize for this early in advance.
- Take down any wall decorations
The vibrations from machinery and hammers on the roof will travel through the walls of the house. Remove wall paintings, picture hangings and any items that are hanging from the ceiling such as chandeliers and light fixtures. Take down any items that aren’t well secured with screws to avoid damages.
- Remove outdoor furniture and grills away from the construction zone
Take your outdoor furniture and grill away from the action. Please put them in a shed or in the garage where they will not be damaged by falling debris. Remember your potted plants and lawn ornaments too. If you don’t have an enclosed area to store these items, put them in a safe distance away from the construction zone.
Taking on a roof replacement project can be an exciting yet daunting process. Ensure to continually communicate with the constructors to find out if there is anything they need during the process. Offer to help out if it will make their work easier and faster to finish. Be patience through the inconveniences caused by the construction and remember it’s just a temporary situation. Soon your house will have a brand new beautiful roof you’ve been eagerly waiting for!
