After “How much is it going to cost?” The first question we usually get from homeowners is: “How loud is it going to be? How much is that going to disrupt my daily life?”
The short answer is: pretty loud.
Scraping off old shingles, nailing in new ones, and blowing off the debris are all loud tasks that are required during a roof replacement. How much all of that will affect your day-to-day will depend on how prepared you are for it, and what you do to escape it, or counteract it.
In this blog, we’ll go over the primary causes of noise during a roof replacement, how loud those things are, and what you can do to prepare for it.
Also, we are going to stick to talking about asphalt shingle roofs, since they are what most homeowners in the Raleigh area have on their homes.
Alright, let’s get started!
We’ll break down the different sounds, and how loud they are, based on the stages of the roof replacement.
One of the first thing that happens during a roof replacement is the roof tear-off. This is when the roofing crew uses scrapers and hammers to tear off the old shingles, and other roofing materials. The main noises that you’ll hear during this phase of the process is those scraping noises, as well as the noise of the debris being thrown into the dumpsters below.
While this isn’t the loudest your replacement will be inside of your home it will definitely be a bit distracting, especially if your home is one story, or you’re on the top floor.
During the installation is likely here you’ll be hearing the bulk of the loudest, most disrupting noises during the roofing process. The noises that are occurring will depend on your roofing company, and whether the crew hand nails the shingles, or uses nail guns to expedite the process.
It may be surprising, but hammering a nail is actually one of the loudest things you can experience in your everyday life. According to the Department of Defense’s Hearing Center of Excellence, a hammer pounding a nail can range from 120-140 decibels (dB), the same range as a rock concert. That’s higher than a motorcycle (100-120 dB), and much higher than a lawn mower, hair dryer, or blender (all in the 85-100 dB range).
Nail guns can be a little bit quieter, but not necessarily to your ear, as they can reach up to 110dB. Well above the “safe” range of noises, which stops at 85dB. The other major cause of noise with pneumatic nail guns are the air compressor engines, which can sound similar to a lawnmower engine when it’s running.
Just because your new roof has been installed, doesn’t mean the noise is done yet. After a replacement, your crew should use leaf blowers to blow any debris off of the roof and down the ground to be picked up.
Up on the roof, leaf blowers will probably sit in the 95-115 dB range, but inside, it won’t be nearly as loud as the rest of the replacement. Hopefully by this point, you’ll be at peace with the noise, and ready to relax, and enjoy the remainder of your (comparatively) noiseless day.
But do you have to deal with the noise at all? Here’s a few tips for those of you who simply don’t want to hear it.
If you’re able to, it may be to your benefit to take yourself and whoever else lives in your home away, especially if your replacement is only going to take one day. Not only will this allow you to avoid the noise issues, but you won’t have to face any of the inconveniences that also come during the roof replacement process, like not having access to your driveway or garage.
If you live with animals, especially those who might already be scared of fireworks or thunderstorms, you may want to have them stay with a neighbor, friend, or family member so that the noise won’t affect them. Most house pets have more sensitive ears than we do, and don’t understand that the roofing project won’t hurt them, so the noise can seem threatening, and be especially jarring for them.
Though this tip isn’t necessarily directly involved with noise, it is related. The vibrations caused by the hammering and nailing on your roof can literally shake your home, and the things you have hanging on walls, or on shelves. If you want to be extra safe with your paintings, pictures, and other wall hanging objects, take those off their hooks and place them on the ground where they can’t fall and damage themselves. The same goes for anything close to the edge of a shelf.
If you’ve been considering a roof replacement, but were worried about the noise and disruption of your life, I hope this blog has helped you feel more prepared. The noise can be bothersome, sure, but it shouldn’t hold you back from undergoing a project that will better your home for years to come.
If you are feeling ready now, reach out to us using the “Contact Us” button below! On Tops Roofing has been conducting roof replacements in the Raleigh area for over 30 years, so whether you need a replacement, repair, or just an inspection, we are happy to help!
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