Replacing your old roof not only looks great but increases your home’s value. It can be exciting getting a new look and is also a great investment. It is a big improvement to your home. Keep in mind that once the roofers arrive, your house becomes a work zone. But what preparation do you need to do to ensure your home is ready? Preparing your home will protect your valuables and safety for your family and the workers. In this guide, you will learn the process you need to take to start preparing your home. Follow these tips to prepare for your roof replacement.
Prepare the Outside of your House
Replacing your roof is quite an undertaking. Your roofing company needs complete access to your roof. You want to provide a clear path for them from all angles. To prepare for your roof replacement, make sure you give them enough space to work. First, move toys and other items at least 15 feet from your house. Don’t forget grills, patio furniture, bird feeders, hanging or potted plants, etc. This not only allows a roofer easier access but also protects your items from falling debris. Items that cannot be moved may be a tripping hazard. Mark them with an orange flag so the workers can see them easily. You may also need to trim bushes or trees that impede access to your roof. Also, open your gate so they can access your backyard. Move any fixtures on your house, including a satellite or antenna.
As workers clear and replace your roof, debris falls into the yard. You will want to protect anything that cannot be moved from around your house. Ask your contractors what steps they take to protect your yard. Any good roofing company will cover your plants with drop cloths. If you have especially delicate plants, point them out to the supervisor so they can instruct their crew to make a special effort to avoid dropping materials on those plants. Cut your grass short the day before they arrive. This helps the roofers notice nails and other debris that fell into the grass as they clean up.
Don’t forget to move your cars as well. The roofers will need a place to park their vehicles. They also need a place to put a dumpster. Move your cars away from the house so you have access to your cars during the project. Cars parked in the garage can get blocked in. If the roof is directly over the garage, falling debris can also damage a parked car.
Workers also need access to utility plugs when installing your roof. Outdoor plugs work best. They may need access to a plugin in the garage or inside the house if you do not have a plug outside. Find a plug that limits tripping hazards inside the home.
Prepare the Inside of your House
Clearing the roof of roofing materials rattles the house quite a bit. As a result, we recommend that you remove mirrors, pictures and other art from the walls of your home. This is especially true for the top floor of your home. If you have other fragile items, move them to a stable location. Cover any attic furniture and other items with drop cloths. Move fragile items in the attic to another area of the house.
Prepare People and Pets for Your Roof Replacement
The noise from replacing a roof can disturb animals and small children. If at all possible, take children and pets to another location like a friend’s house or a family member for the days of construction. If they must remain home, keep them inside the house. Talk to your children and let them know the dangers of being outside. Treat your property as a construction zone. Allowing kids or pets outside during the construction can not only harm them but also can distract the workers; putting them in danger as well. If you must keep pets home, realize the noise will upset them. Prepare ways to help comfort them during the construction.
Also notify your neighbors, especially next-door neighbors. If your houses are close to each other, they may want to move some of their yard furniture and vehicles as well as provide protection for their plants. They may also want to protect their home from potentially falling debris. At the very least, this allows them to be prepared for a couple of noisy days at home.
Communicate with the roofing company. They may notice something that you have missed in your preparations. They will appreciate your prep and efforts to keep them safe as they replace your roof. When the work is done, a good company will clean up after. This doesn’t mean they won’t miss something. Homeowners often find nails hidden in their bushes after a roofing project.
When you prepare for your roof replacement you will have peace of mind and protect those things that are most important to you. It will also allow the workers to efficiently and safely replace the roof of your home. If you need to repair your roof or need new shingle installation, now is the time to contact Specialty Home Products. We service both residential and commercial buildings. Call us today to replace your damaged shingles. We are a top contractor in the Spokane area for roof installation and repairs.