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6 Steps to Protect Your Home During a Roof Replacement

6 Steps to Protect Your Home During a Roof Replacement

While a roof replacement might appear straightforward from an outsider's perspective – remove old shingles, replace with new ones – the reality often brings some complexities. As experienced professionals with a portfolio of over 1,000 roofing projects annually, we understand that this process requires careful preparation to ensure the safety of your property and belongings.

In this regard, we consistently provide homeowners with valuable advice on prepping their homes for roofing work, whether it's a repair or a complete replacement. Now, we're excited to extend that knowledge to you, helping you navigate the steps needed to safeguard your residence and cherished possessions during this undertaking. After all, a little preparation goes a long way in ensuring a seamless and secure roof replacement experience.

Keep reading to learn:

Alright, let’s get started!

6 STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR HOME

COVER YOUR ATTICexposed attic_WebP

Anticipate a certain level of messiness during your roof replacement project. Dust, debris, and even wood splinters may find their way into your attic if it isn't properly shielded. Safeguarding your attic belongings is a wise step in preventing any unwanted aftermath.

To shield your items, you have a couple of practical options. Utilize old sheets or drop cloths to cover your possessions, or consider laying down tarps for added protection. Once the roof replacement concludes, you can easily gather and dispose of the debris-covered coverings, streamlining the cleanup process.

However, if your attic is largely devoid of stored items, you might consider forgoing the protective coverings. In this case, be prepared for a potential buildup of dust. A post-replacement vacuuming might be necessary to restore a clean environment in your attic, ensuring a fresh start after the project is completed.

CLEAR YOUR PATIO & DECKclear patio_WebP

As the roof replacement project progresses, debris can accumulate on your patio and deck. To safeguard your valued belongings, it's essential to take a few precautionary measures.

If possible, relocate valuable items from these outdoor areas to prevent potential damage. In instances where moving items isn't feasible, consider utilizing protective measures. Tarps and plywood can be employed to shield at-risk items such as patio furniture, potted plants, and grills from falling debris.

To enhance protection, engage in proactive communication with your chosen roofing contractor. Inquire about the strategies they plan to employ to safeguard items that couldn't be relocated. By sharing this information, you enable the roofing crew to identify objects within their work vicinity, facilitating better coordination to ensure both their team and your prized possessions remain unharmed.

TARP YOUR GARDENtarped bushes_WebP

Your landscaping deserves as much attention and care as the interior of your home during a roof replacement. Safeguarding your garden and outdoor décor from debris and dust is crucial. Here's how to protect your outdoor oasis:

Cover vulnerable areas with materials like tarps or plastic sheets. These barriers shield your landscaping from the accumulation of debris and dust, helping to maintain the integrity of your plants and outdoor spaces. Additionally, consider removing hanging or potted plants temporarily to avoid potential damage from falling materials.

Take a thorough inventory of your garden for delicate items that might be susceptible to harm. Mosaic stepping stones, solar-powered lights, potted plants, statues, wind chimes, water fountains, and birdhouses are all examples of items that should be relocated to a secure spot until the roof replacement is complete. This proactive approach ensures the safety and longevity of your cherished outdoor decorations.

MOVE YOUR VEHICLESmaterials delivered with car underneath_WebP

Relocating your vehicles from your garage and driveway can significantly streamline the roof replacement process for both you and your roofing contractor. By moving your car to the street or a neighbor's driveway, you create a safe buffer between your vehicle and the work zone.

This precaution serves multiple purposes. First, it helps safeguard your car from any accidental scratches or damages that might occur during the replacement. Additionally, it provides ample space for the roofing crew's trucks to efficiently unload and load shingles and debris, allowing the project to proceed without unnecessary delays.

By taking this simple step, you contribute to the smooth execution of your roof replacement while ensuring the protection of your valuable assets.

REMOVE WALL DECOR

Anticipate some vibrations resulting from the hammering, hand-nailing, and power tool usage during your roof replacement project. These vibrations can reverberate through your home's walls, potentially causing items hanging on the walls to become dislodged and fall to the floor.

To ensure the safety of your valuable paintings, pictures, and wall decorations, it's advisable to remove any items that appear precarious or susceptible to slipping off due to vibrations. By proactively taking this step before the replacement commences, you prevent potential damage and preserve the condition of your cherished possessions.

MOW YOUR LAWNstuff in the yard_WebP

Although your roofer will try to keep their workspace neat and tidy, it’s likely that debris will fall on the ground surrounding your home. Our cleanup method involves using a magnet 3 separate times to look for nails and other materials that might have fallen during your replacement.

First, the crew will sweep the magnet around the entire perimeter of your home during cleanup on the day of installation. When they return to double-check the work, the project manager will then do a second sweep around the perimeter of your home. Lastly, the dumpster driver will sweep around the area where the dumpster was placed after he’s removed it from your driveway.

To make their search as quick and easy as possible, it’s helpful to cut your grass short before your replacement begins.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO REPLACE A ROOF?people working on the roof_WebP

Now that you're equipped with insights on safeguarding your home during the replacement, let's delve into the timeline of the process itself. The duration of a roof replacement project can vary depending on factors such as the size of the home and prevailing weather conditions.

On average, a standard-sized home's roof replacement usually spans the entirety of a day. However, the timeline can differ for smaller homes, with replacements potentially concluding by the mid-afternoon. Conversely, larger residences might necessitate two to three days to ensure the project's meticulous execution. Weather conditions and other variables also play a role in determining the exact duration, and we'll delve into these aspects in greater detail shortly.

Considering the scope of the project, we advise homeowners to set aside one to two days during which their daily routines could be influenced by the replacement process. It's worth noting that roofing crews and materials typically arrive at the job site as early as 6:30 or 7:00 AM, allowing for an early start that avoids the bulk of labor during the heat of the day. To facilitate a smooth process, we recommend homeowners to ensure their vehicles and other essentials are parked outside the driveway and garage. This proactive step prevents any inconvenience caused by being blocked in when the dumpster and materials are delivered.

On Tops Roofing has been working with Raleigh, NC homeowners since we got our start in 1991, so we know what needs to be done to protect a home! Whatever your roof requires, We’re on it!

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