Protecting your property is an important part of any roofing project. From smashed bushes to dented HVAC units, it’s essential that you and your roof contractor have a plan for protecting property while working on your roof to avoid these and other incidents.
One method that’s frequently used is to drape tarps over the landscaping and grassy areas around your house. This keeps debris from falling on these spaces and causing damage.
What are the steps when replacing my roof?
Your contractor will place protection plywood and tarps on your siding, landscaping, bushes, plants, and fences to protect them from nails raining down from the old roof. This will also prevent mud from running down and staining your property. The old shingles will be torn off and the wood sheathing will be thoroughly inspected. If there is any rotted or soft wood, it will be replaced before laying new shingles. This is an important step that most homeowners don’t attempt on their own because it requires knowledge of building codes, tools, and safety precautions. Our roofing professionals will handle these steps safely and correctly.
What can I expect while my roof is worked on?
Our roofing crew is very careful not to damage the house or property that surrounds it while the roof is being worked on. We will cover any outdoor furniture, potted plants, grills and garden tools with tarps. We will also cover vehicles and cars parked on the driveway to protect them from splatter and scrapes. The house may vibrate during the roofing process, especially rooms on the lower level, so as a homeowner you should be sure to remove breakable items from shelves and move paintings away from walls that could be damaged. You should also prune back trees near the house and clear out shrubbery that could hinder access to the roof. Depending on the job, roofing contractors will use ladders, scaffolding or a mobile crane to work on the roof.
Should You Stay at Home During Roof Repair?
Whether you want to stay at home during the roof replacement or evacuate while it’s going on is something only you can decide. Regardless of your choice, there are some important things you should know about the process.
If you decide to stay, ask your roofing contractor for a few instructions and to discuss a couple of measures that can help you protect yourself. For instance, your contractor might ask you to stay away from certain areas around the house such as chimneys, roof windows or any other eaves and soffits that are in danger of being ripped off during the work.
You should also make sure that your belongings are protected. For example, you should cover any personal belongings stored in the attic with tarps to protect them from any debris that might fall on them during the tear off and replacement. This is especially important in cathedral or vaulted ceilings that are more prone to “nail pops” (when a nail backs out of the sheetrock and leaves a hole).
You should also find somewhere for your car to be temporarily parked, ideally on the other side of the street so that it doesn’t get hit by a stray tool or piece of debris during the re-roofing process. Finally, if you have children, you might want to consider arranging for them to stay at a friend or family member’s place until the roofing is completed. The noise and mess can upset infants and young children and it may even aggravate allergies.
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