How to Prepare and Protect your Home before a Roof Installation
june 6th, 2020 updated 5:00PM CT
So you’ve decided to replace your roof – excellent! A new roof is one of the best investments that you can make. Not only does a new roof help to improve the aesthetic appearance of your home, but it also helps to ensure that your home (and everything in it) is protected. But installing a new roof system is not a small job. Luckily, there are things that you can do to prepare for your new roof installation.
Preparing Your Yard for New Roofing
Preparing your area for new roof shingles or metal roofing involves making all areas from the inside of your home and in your yard. Why is it important to prepare your yard for a new roofing installation? Not only do roofers have to walk through your yard as they work, but as they are installing the new roof, old shingles, nails, and debris will fall off the roof onto your yard. Not only is it essential to prepare your yard to keep the workers safe, but also to keep your belongings safe. Here are some things you can do to prepare your yard for a new roof installation:
Remove your vehicles.
Next to your home, your vehicles are some of the most valuable things you own. As such, you’ll want to keep them safe. This means keeping them away from any debris that might fall off of your roof as the contractors work. Find a safe spot away from your driveway that you can park your vehicle for the day. The earlier you can move your vehicle, the sooner you can make way for any suppliers that are looking to drop off shingles or any other roof materials.
Clear off your patio.
When installing your roof, contractors will need to gain access to your roof from all different sides. You’ll want to make sure that there are no hazards in their way. The more time they spend dodging toys or patio furniture, the less time they will have to work on your roof. Remove as much as possible out of their way so that they don’t have to worry about it when it comes time to work.
Clear out your garden.
You can’t remove everything from your garden, but do your best to remove as much as you can. Many of the things in our gardens are considered very breakable and could become damaged if old shingles were to fall on them. You should remove any lights, glass stepping stones, water fountains, bird feeders, statutes, etc.
Protect your plants.
You can’t remove your plants from the garden, but you can do other things to protect them. By covering your plants with a bright tarp or marking your plants with orange tape, you can show the roofing San Antonio contractors in which areas they need to take extra precautions.
Mark anything that could be a tripping hazard.
In addition to any plants that you want to protect, you should also mark anything that could be a tripping hazard. Sprinklers, ponds, and other things that could be hazardous to the contractors, so mark them with bright tape.
Keep your grass cut.
As we mentioned previously, shingles and nails will inevitably fall into your yard during a new roof installation. The contractors will do their best to clean things up before they leave each night, but you can prepare by keeping your grass short to make the cleanup job much easier.
Make sure your outdoor electrical outlets work.
Roofing companies will need to have access to your electrical outlets for some of their tools and equipment. Make sure it’s in good working order before they show up to avoid any last-minute issues.
Preparing your Interior for Roofing Installation
In addition to preparing your yard for a new roof installation, you will also need to do some preparation inside of your home. Here’s how to prepare for a new roof installation inside:
Clear out your attic.
When it comes to the installation of a new roof, your attic is one of the most vulnerable areas to be affected. If you have anything valuable or sentimental in your attic, move it to another floor until the installation is complete. You can also protect your attic from damage by putting down tarps or mats.
Clear out your garage.
If your garage is part of your home, you’ll want to clear it out as much as possible as well. You can leave some things in there, but be sure to remove anything of value in case an accident does occur.
Take things off walls.
Take down any pictures, mirrors, or wall art. Roof contractors will be banging with hammers, and the vibrations could cause things on your wall to fall off. To prevent anything from breaking, remove things off of your walls before installation begins.
Preparing People for a Roofing Installation
Not only do you need to prepare your home and your yard for your roof installation, but you should also prepare anyone who is going to be affected. This can include neighbors, children, pets, and other family members.
Your Neighbors
Prepare your neighbors by giving them a heads up that you are going to have your residential roof replaced. Give them fair warning that there could be a slight noise disturbance and to check for any nails or debris that could fall into their yard. You don’t have to tell your neighbors, but it is common courtesy.
Your Children
Prepare children by having them stay with family members. Depending on the roof, you may or may not be able to stay in your home while the roof is being replaced. If you decide to stay in your home, the noise can be upsetting to children. If at all possible, it’s best to have them stay with a close friend or family member during the installation.
Your Pets
Prepare your pets by ensuring that they have lots of toys to play with inside. You’ll want to keep your pets indoors as much as possible. You don’t want your pets to get in the way, nor do you want them to become injured by falling debris. Let them out for a bit when you have to but be prepared to keep them indoors until the roof is installed.
Other Family Members
Prepare other family members by letting them know what to expect from the new installation. Your contractor should be able to give you a rough estimate as to how long the new roof will take to install, as well as what to expect during the process. Many people like to book a hotel or stay with family while their roof is being installed, but this is something you can discuss with your contractor.
Final Thoughts on Preparing for a Roof Installation
If you are having a new roof installed in your home, there are some measures that you can take to help the process run more smoothly. By preparing your yard, your home, and your family, you can help contractors do their job faster and more efficiently. Speak to your contractor before they arrive to see if there is anything else they would like you to do beforehand.
