7 TIPS TO PREP FOR ROOF REPLACEMENT

Getting your roof replaced is a big job on many levels. Besides the financial investment, your home and your routine will be disrupted for while the work is being done. It may be messy, especially if old roofing is being torn up, and it will almost certainly be loud.

The end result will be worth it when you can enjoy the beauty and peace of mind of your new roof, but in the meantime, there are a few things you can do to prepare for the work and get through it as easily as possible.

1. Seriously consider not being home for the roofing project. Besides the noise and mess and the fact that for part of the process you will literally not have a roof, the number one reason to stay elsewhere during a roof replacement is safety. The best way to keep you and your family safe from falling debris or shingles is to not be present while the work is happening.

2. Be careful with pets. If you’ve made plans to be away for the project, think about how to provide a safe place for pets as well. Remember that they may need to go in and out of the house, and that their ears may be even more sensitive to sound than ours are.

3. Protect your property. Professional roofers will do everything they can to limit the dust and debris, but there is no way around some dust and particles getting onto exposed areas and furniture, particularly in your attic or top floor. Cover furniture with drop cloths, and carefully store fragile items.

4. Consider what you have on your walls. Replacing a roof will cause some vibrations in the house, and fragile items hanging on the walls or sitting on shelves, or items that are not securely fixed, may fall off. It’s best to remove these items ahead of time to avoid any damage.

5. Protect your vehicles and outdoor property. It’s smart to park cars across the street to give wide clearance for falling shingles, and to move or cover patio furniture, grills, or any other items you want to protect from dirt and debris. While professional roofers will do their best to work around landscaping elements like flowers, understand that there may be a few floral casualties.

6. Give your neighbors a heads up. Talk to your neighbors about your upcoming roofing work. Let them know things will be a bit loud. Let them know not to park where their cars may be in the line of falling debris, and to take special care with letting their kids play outside or when walking pets.

7. Go into it with a flexible outlook. Roofing professionals can’t control the weather, or if something comes up in the repair that takes more time to address, or if a problem occurs with materials they ordered. These are all variables that can affect even the best-planned project. Communicate with your roofer to set or adjust expectations.

By following these tips you minimize stress and focus instead on how your new roof will add to your home’s appearance, safety, and value.

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