As a crucial part of your home, the roof serves to keep you and your family safe and comfortable. Even a well-built roof will need proper care and regular maintenance for it to last, but when the time comes that you need a full replacement, you need to prepare yourself for it. To help you out, our roof repair experts at Sanders Roofing & Exteriors, LLC have made a detailed checklist on what you need to do before you before getting a new roof:
Noise
There’s no way to completely avoid the noise that comes with roofing construction, especially with all the hammering and banging that happens throughout the process. You may want to plan on staying away from your home while they work on your roof during the day to avoid the noise. Fortunately, most roofing projects won’t last for more than a few days, so you’ll only need to tolerate the noise until then.
Before the project starts, you should remember to inform your neighbors in advance. This is so they’ll be aware of the noise and commotion that’s about to happen, and you’ll avoid any unpleasant confrontations during the roof replacement process.
Landscaping
Your landscape includes your pool, spa and hot tub that can be potentially damaged by roofing debris. When you hire professional roofers, they’re usually aware of this risk and will take the necessary measures to protect your garden and outdoor water features to avoid disturbing your landscaping. This is typically done by covering them with a tarp and polypropylene before the beginning of the installation.
Keep in mind that there will still be small amounts of debris like sawdust that may make their way through your covered water features on strong, windy days, so it helps to turn off your pumps during the roof installation. And to protect your lawn from the damage of workers walking back and forth, we recommend avoiding watering and turning off any sprinklers a day or so before the start of the roof installation.
Mowing your lawn right before the project starts will also make it easier for your installers to clean up any debris or materials in the grass. And if nearby trees have overhanging branches, be sure to prune them beforehand to prevent wear and tear on your roof.
Debris and Dust
In a typical roofing project, most of the debris will come from the removal of your old roofing materials. Most roof replacement companies will place trucks to catch debris as close to the roofline as possible to minimize the chance of them falling into your or your neighbor’s yard. You can expect some dust to fall through the ventilation system or other ceiling openings underneath your roof, so take precautions especially if you or a family member has allergies or asthma.
Children and Pets
During your roofing project, it will turn your home into a temporary construction site. This will often stimulate the curiosity of your children if you have any. Covered pools are also a hazard, so be sure to supervise them closely. This is also to ensure that they stay away from the work area at all times. Don’t forget to remind them of the possible hazards that they’ll encounter such as nails, screws, flashing and other work-related materials and equipment.
On the other hand, your pets may find the roofing project unpleasant because of the noise and presence of unfamiliar people. If you think that your pet will be particularly anxious with the construction, we suggest having them stay with other family, neighbors, or friends at a different place until the project’s completion.
Electrical Outlets and Circuit Breakers
It’s expected that professional roofers will use several power tools and air compressors during the roof installation process. Before it begins, you’ll need to make sure that your electrical outlets are accessible to your hired roofing contractor. They’ll typically use the garage circuits, though there may be areas within your home that are on the same circuit. It helps to take additional precautions with sustained electrical devices to avoid damaged appliances and computer equipment during the installation process.
As soon as the roof installation begins, you should be able to keep in contact with your roofing contractor in case a circuit breaker is tripped. Reliable contact information will come in handy, especially if any other electrical issues need to be discussed, such as what we’ll talk about next.
Improper Wiring
When your old roof is being removed, your hired roof repair and replacement contractor will sometimes find electrical wires that were not originally visible from living spaces or attic. These wires were most likely not installed properly and can be a fire hazard during installation. This is because any kind of roofing work can penetrate the wire’s insulation and trigger a short circuit and possibly a fire. Only an experienced contractor will know how to identify and inform you on how to best deal with your wiring issues to avoid future problems later on.
Home Access
This includes your attic, garage and driveway, as your hired contractor will typically need access to these areas. Before your roofing installation begins, you’ll need to clear one side of your driveway for the collection of your roofing materials. You should also park your vehicles, trailers, and boats away from the worksite to prevent scratches and dents from falling debris. Your contractor will also need full access to your yard so that they can properly clean up after its completion, so make sure that your gates are unlocked.
If you’re also planning to add insulation within your roofing system, then your contractors will also need access to your attic. They’ll also clean up after the job’s done, but you can expect that the items stored in your attic may become dusty from the roofing process. At the very least, make sure to remove items that would be harmed by the dust and debris, especially if they’re fragile.
As one of the best roof replacement companies in the area, Sanders Roofing & Exteriors, LLC has got you covered! For more information, call us at (512) 855-6356 or through our convenient online request form.