A roof replacement is a huge investment. To make every cent count, you need to do it right to provide you and your family with the protection you deserve for years to come. It is therefore important to prepare adequately for your upcoming roof replacement, and the following tips should come in handy.
1. Prepare Your Driveway for Falling Debris
Before embarking on roof replacement, park your vehicles a safe distance away from your house, preferably on the street. You don’t want your car(s) to be trapped in the garage by new shingles and other roofing materials. The roofers will work more efficiently without obstruction from vehicles and other objects. Remove items around your home that could hinder their movement.
2. Clear the Lawn and the Garden
Move whatever you can move from your garden and lawn. Move potted plants, statues, solar-powered lights, water fountains, birdhouse, wind chimes, etc. You may have to mark certain plants for protection from falling shingles. You can place a tarp or netting over flowerbeds and certain hard-to-replace plants. Also, mark all sprinklers if you can’t move them to alert the roofers so they don’t trip over them.
If you have hidden ponds, mark them as well and alert the workers where they are to keep them from stepping into them. You should also unlock all your gates to allow the roofers free movement around the house. Make sure your grass is cut short since it’s much easier to find nails and other debris in short grass.
3. Provide an Electrical Outlet
If you have an external electrical outlet, check to ensure it is working since the roofer will need to use it. If you don’t have an external power outlet, locate one near a window or a door so the roofers can plug in their equipment.
4. Alert Your Neighbours
Talk to your immediate neighbours and let them know about your roof replacement. Alert them in advance about the disturbance, noise and the chance of a nail landing on their yard. They will be more cooperative if you let alert them ahead of the exercise.
5. Prepare Your Home
Although the roofer will not be working inside your house, there is bound to be a lot of activity, including vibrations as nails are hammered in. Clear the attic and cover it with a tarp since it will collect a lot of dust. Make sure the garage is protected, especially if its roof will be replaced as well. Covering items in a garage will protect and prevent dust from gathering on them. Next, secure all windows so they don’t scratch as roofers move materials around. All movable wall décor should also come off since vibrations caused by hammering could knock them off the wall. For the same reason, make sure all fragile items such as that special china you treasure so much are safely tucked away. Finally, get a roofer to remove roof accessories such as your satellite/TV dishes, solar panels, and skylights.
6. Keep Kids and Pets Away
You don’t want your children or pets playing outside during a roof replacement exercise. Keep pets indoors or send them with the kids to grandma’s or a friend’s house during the exercise. Warn the kids about the debris and tell them to be careful around the house, that is if they are old enough to understand
7. Remove the Old Roof
Replacing your roof means removing the old one. The process of removing the old roof is a delicate one. Handle it with extreme care. Keep a dumpster nearby for disposing of old shingles, falling debris, and nails. Have the workers spread tarps on the ground to collect falling debris. You might also want to use a metal detector, magnets, etc. to find nails and put them away.
8. Inspect the New Roof
Once the new roof is up, make sure the roofers have cleared everything. Inspect the roof and don’t let them leave until you are satisfied with the outcome. Check the driveway and all around your house to make sure everything is intact. If anything is amiss, call the roofing professionals to address it before paying them.