Having to place a new roof on the house is a massive undertaking. A homeowner wants the project to be as seamless and straightforward as possible, meaning they must prepare. When everything is adequately set up for the roofing contractors to perform their work, it’s a much safer job site. Not only can the team feel secure in doing the work, but you and your family are protected from possible hazards.
Before the first day of the project, it’s wise to sit down with the roofer to make a checklist of things to secure the home and outdoor spaces during the process.
The professional will advise whether you should be home while the work is underway or plan to go to a loved one’s home. You can then use the list to go through the house and surrounding areas to make the necessary adjustments.
If it’s been determined you need to replace your roof, consider a few helpful suggestions on being adequately prepared for the work to begin.
Things you need to do:
Your roofer will usually inspect the structure annually to ensure the integrity is intact, there are no defects or damages, and it has life remaining. If it’s determined that it’s time for a replacement, you will expect to have the most aptly done work possible with the greatest efficiency.
With your certified, trusted, and well-established contractor ready to perform the job, it’s vital to sit down to plan the details before the workday. The idea is to have minimal hazards and as little disruption as possible.
The details are in the preparation, and a skilled roofer will give you these to provide a more secure worksite and give you the greatest peace of mind. Let’s look at some helpful roof replacement preparation hints to follow for optimum safety and protection for the team working on the project and you and your family.
Hanging wall decorations should be taken down
Hammering is an essential part of the process when replacing the roof. The action will create reverberating tremors rolling in the household. If you’re in a two-story story home, these are most intense and noticeable on the top floor.
In order to protect fragile or breakable hanging wall decorations, these should be taken down and stored safely. This avoids the potential for them to fall and possibly become damaged. Plus, it prevents the potential for broken glass or mirror fragments, creating hazards for those living in the home from becoming injured.
In that same vein, any loose tchotchkes on tables or shelves should be removed to keep them from falling over.
The driveway should be cleared of autos
Parking your autos in another location aside from your driveway is beneficial in a couple of ways. First, flying debris has a chance of reaching your vehicle and causing damage. The idea is to park your car the furthest from the house or along the street.
This is also helpful to the roofing team to be accessible to their vehicles, equipment, plus the materials, and supplies.
The roofer can be much more efficient and work faster when everything is within a distance of the project. It will contain the job site to a specific area instead of continually moving equipment, bringing in vehicles, or hauling debris.
Small children and pets might need to visit a loved one
Small children and pets are easily startled by a lot of commotion and loud noises. It can create anxiety in both making children act up and causing problematic behavior with your furbabies.
A roofing job site is not genuinely a suitable atmosphere, suggesting that the kids and pets stay with a loved one until the project is complete.
If it’s not possible for them to go with someone close to you or you don’t have anyone like that nearby, it’s vital to have a space in the house set up for them.
The area should be the quietest location, as separated from what’s happening as possible, with some soothing sounds. It should have a comfortable spot for the pet to nestle in and hide away, something they like to do when they’re anxious.
The patio furniture and outdoor decorations need to be put in storage
Anything on the back patio, such as furnishings, a grill, container plants, plus decorations in the yard, children’s items like bikes and toys, should be stored away before the project starts. Only some homeowners have ample storage for their outdoor equipment.
It might be necessary to place the items a distance away from the work zone if that’s the case, far enough that there won’t be damage if debris were to fly from the roof. It also keeps the area around the job site safe for the team doing the replacement.
The items in the attic might need to be removed
Most homes have an attic space. Many people choose this area to keep their most valuable possessions. When a roof is being replaced, the contractors will walk the structure’s length, impacting it with tools. That means there will be debris and sawdust filtering into the attic.
If you have heirlooms or other particularly valuable items situated in that space, it’s wise to consider moving them out until the project is complete. It would be best to use old sheets or tarps for other stored boxes and non-fragile materials to cover these and keep dirt off the items.
Make sure the grass is cut, and you prune the trees
Any trees surrounding the house can prove a hindrance to the contractors if the branches extend to the roof. These should be pruned back before the work begins to allow for easy access and an efficient process. It will also keep debris from the surface as the team works.
Further, you want to clean the yard and trim the grass short. Doing this will allow a much easier process when it comes time for cleanup. The roofer will be looking for any nails that might have fallen or other small pieces of debris in the garden, along with clearing out dust and debris.
Taking this step will also make it easier for you when the team leaves while navigating throughout the garden; if any debris is missed, it will be readily spotted.
Final Thought
When replacing a roof, it’s your opportunity to make some changes, add some upgrades, and change the structure to be what you want it to be. That can mean putting in skylights or perhaps adding some architectural details. Not only will these be more aesthetically pleasing for you, but they can add value to the property.
When sitting down with your roofing contractor, discuss your options making a plan that fits your particular needs and works with your budget. Together, you can research materials to find the options most suited to your preferences and decide when to start the work. Go here for guidance on choosing a roof.
When everything is adequately planned, and all preparations are made, the roofing team will be able to do their work quickly and efficiently with the contractors secure in their tasks and the family protected from hazards.