Tips to Getting Your Home Ready for Your Roof Replacement

A roof replacement project might be a major financial commitment, but it will benefit you long-term. A new roofing system, after all, boosts your home’s protection against the local weather and raises its overall value. When you choose a local roofing contractor, you can expect them to do almost all of the work, from preparing your old roof for removal to cleaning up after your new roof is installed.

As with most home improvement or construction projects, however, unforeseen delays can happen and put a halt to the progress of your roof replacement. Fortunately, you can minimize them and speed things up by getting your home ready before the first installation day arrives. Here’s an in-depth at some of the tips you have to keep in mind:

Plan Your Roof Replacement Project in Advance

Planning a roof replacement takes time and effort, which is why it is not unusual for preparations to begin weeks or even months ahead of time. Start savings funds for this project at least a year or two before the end of your roof’s average lifespan. Allotting time for this also allows you to explore the various roofing material options that are available in the market today. By having a clear idea of what to expect in this kind of major endeavor, you’re less likely to underestimate the total cost of having a roof installed.

As soon as you have enough funds to start your project, you can begin searching for the contractor you’ll be working with. Your choice should be able to deliver exceptional work, high-quality materials, and unmatched expertise. Apart from these, working with an experienced roofing company will help you stick to your budget. Be sure that you hire a professional roofing team that is licensed, insured, and manufacturer-certified. This way, you can make the most of the whole roof replacement process and ensure its success.

Prepare Your Yard Before a Roof Replacement Project

After you’ve signed the contract with your chosen contractor, you can now start preparing your home a few days or weeks before the installation team arrives. Start in your yard; after all, roofers will be walking there while they do work. Also, debris such as stray nails and roofing materials will land on your yard as the team removes your old roof.

Expect the pros to bring a dumpster on the first day. It will be parked on your driveway before they start tearing down your old roof. They’ll also lay down tarps to catch any debris falling off your roof. They may also use metal detectors to find stray nails, but for shingle scraps, they’ll have to rely on their keen sense of sight to inspect your yard.

The following are some of the things you can do when preparing your yard:

• Park your car a safe distance away on the street.
• Relocate patio furniture and other items in your yard.
• Place netting over flower beds.
• Cut grass to make it easier for the roofers to find leftover debris and stray nails.
• Take the time to talk to your neighbors and inform them about the possible noise and disturbance during the roof replacement.

Prepare the Inside of Your Home

Most of the roofing work—and the mess that comes with it—will occur outside, but that doesn’t mean your home interiors won’t be affected. Expect the whole building to vibrate as your old roof is being removed and the new roofing materials are being nailed in place. There’s no long-term damage, but you don’t want your valuable items, especially fragile ones, crashing down to the floor. Here are some of the preparations you can do inside your home:

• Lay tarps or drop sheets on the attic floor. Store your belongings you’ve been storing in the attic on the ground floor for now.
• If your garage is built-in to your home and the roofers will be replacing its roof, too, make sure to cover the items and equipment stored in there with tarps.
• Remove photo frames, mirrors, loose shelving and artwork hanging on your wall. Be more thorough with it on the top floor if your home is a multi-story one.
• Protect fragile items like china, glassware, and dishes. Consider relocating them where they can’t fall and break due to the vibrations.
• Expect the pros to remove any accessories you have on your roof, including satellite or TV dishes, skylights and solar panels. Store them somewhere safe temporarily.

Prepare Your Pets and Children Before the Project

A typical roof replacement project lasts for up to two days, but that depends on the size of your roof. Whether it can take one or three days, expect the job to be disruptive to both your children and pets. Here’s how to prepare them days ahead:

• Have your pets stay at a friend’s house or a kennel service during the roof replacement. If that’s not possible, make sure to keep them indoors.
• Do everything you can to keep them engaged and comfortable while the pros are doing work. Take your dog or cat out for a walk. Also, see to it that the room where they are in has enough space to move around. Don’t forget the toys they can play with and chew on.
• Arrange for your children to stay with a family member or friend for the time being. This is important if you have an infant or toddler.
• If you have older children who are old enough to understand, tell them to stay away from the work zone where the roofers are doing work. If necessary, install warning signs on the yard telling them of the hazards they might encounter, including stray nails. Make sure they wear shoes if they’re going out of the house with you.

For your roof repair or new replacement project needs, turn to Deschutes Roofing & Insulation.

Our skilled and experienced roofers are more than happy to help you with your major home improvement project from start to finish. We’ll perform a thorough inspection of your roof and give you an honest timeline of what to work on now, what to plan for soon, and how much it will cost to replace your roof.

Let’s discuss your roofing project by calling any of these numbers: (541) 241-5720  (Bend), (503) 967-9590, (Portland), (541) 246-6860 (Eugene), (503) 468-7663 (Lake Oswego), or (503) 928-8750 (Beaverton). You may also fill out our contact form to get a free estimate.