How To Prepare For A Roof Replacement
Preparing for a roof replacement can be a daunting task. There are many different variables to consider and, depending on the extent of the roof replacement, preparing for a roof replacement can take a lot of time. But, if you know exactly what you need to do, to prepare for a roof replacement, then the entire process is much easier and quite a bit more pleasant. We’ve put together some roof replacement tips so that you know how to best prepare for your replacement.
When Do You Need a Roof Replacement?
If you didn’t have a huge, damaging storm, or don’t live in a very old house, it may be difficult to tell when exactly it’s time to replace your roof. To determine whether you need to replace your roof, check to see if any of the following are true in your home or on your roof.
- Light is coming through from your roof into your attic.
- Your roof is over 20-25 years old.
- Your shingles are cracked, damaged, or buckling.
- Shingle granules are falling off in large quantities.
- The seams around your vents, skylights, or chimneys are cracked.
- There are rotting boards or sagging spots on your roof.
- There is tons of vegetation buildup from moisture trapped in your roof.
If any or a few of these things are happening to your roof, it’s worth considering a roof replacement. Read on for some roof replacement tips!
How To Prepare For A Roof Replacement
Getting your roof replacement is no simple feat. It is a substantial undertaking that can create hazards around your home, as well as a lot of noise. You should consider taking the following steps to ensure that you, your family, and those that live around you are safe. These include:
- Informing your neighbors
- Ensuring the area is safe
- Locating accessible electrical outlets
- Making sure the roof is easily accessible
- Protecting your attic
- Protecting your windows
- Preparing for a cleanup
Read on for more details about the importance of each of these roof replacement tips.
Inform Your Neighbors
Every roof replacement job is, no matter the roof that’s being replaced, loud and noisy. The people living around you will, more likely than not, be less than pleased to hear the sound of drills, hammers, and ladders – among other things – for however many days it takes for your roof to be replaced.
Since roof replacements are so loud and noisy, the best thing you can do is, to be a good neighbor, tell your neighbors what’s about to happen and how long it’s expected to take. That way, none of your neighbors will be surprised by all of the noise emanating from your roof (although we try and keep the noise levels to a minimum).
Ensure that the Area is Safe for You and Your Family
Construction areas are obviously dangerous for anyone. This is especially true for any children or pets that live in your home. Kids and pets may not know or understand how dangerous an active work area is. It’s important that everyone in your home is aware of the safety hazards that come with a roof replacement. It’s also important that pets are supervised at all times or kept in a safe place away from the work zone. If you have a lot going on in your home on a regular basis, it might be ideal to stay at a family member or friend’s house during the roof replacement.
Locate Accessible Electrical Outlets
To replace your roof, our expert team of roofers will be relying mostly on electrical equipment. For our team to use this equipment properly, we will need access to at least one – but, preferably, more than one – electrical outlet.
Locating all of the electrical outlets that are accessible from the roof – both indoor and outdoor electrical outlets – will make the entire roof replacement process a lot easier. Before the roof replacement begins, though, make sure these electrical outlets work. That way, there are no surprises.
Make Sure The Roof Is Accessible
A roof replacement is no easy task. To be successful, a roof replacement often requires several people and a variety of different equipment. All of those people, and all of that equipment, must be on the roof or, if not, easy to access from the roof or right by the roof.
To make the process of replacing your roof a lot easier, locate a few spots along your roof that our team can use to get on and off of your roof with ease. Finding these spots, and clearing them of any debris or obstructions, is a tremendous help that makes the entire process of replacing your roof easier and quicker.
Protect Your Attic
During a roof replacement, your attic is one of the most vulnerable spaces in your home. Because of this, it is very important that you take the proper attic protection precautions. Failing to do so could lead to cherished items being damaged or a lot of dust and little bits of debris that will need to be cleaned up later.
The main precaution to take is that of removing all of your fragile or cherished items from the attic. Place those items somewhere else, so that they won’t be damaged, by accident, or become covered in dirt and dust from the roof replacement.
As a second precaution, you can lay down tarps along the floor of the attic. By doing so, all of the dust created by the roof being replaced will gather on the tarp, rather than the floor, which will make disposing of that dust a lot easier.
Protect Your Windows
All of the work being done during the roof replacement process will create a series of vibrations. All of these vibrations will flow throughout your home, making it easy for valuable items to be knocked over. But, along with that, these vibrations can also damage your windows.
For you to keep your windows safe, you will need to board them up. Boarding them up will ensure that those vibrations are unable to reach the window. The boards along your windows will also protect them from falling debris, such as loose shingles or random bits of wood.
Prepare For A Clean-Up
At B&M Roofing, we take great care in bits of debris and other objects don’t fall off from the worksite and into any other space in or around your home. Along with that, we at B&M Roofing perform a thorough clean-up after every roof replacement project. We aim to leave NO TRACE.
Even though this is the case, however, it isn’t uncommon for small bits of debris to fall outside of the worksite. Because of this, prepare for your own clean-up process after the roof replacement has been finished. By performing your own clean-up process, you will be able to remove any debris that wasn’t properly removed, ensuring that no one steps on the fallen debris or is hurt by it.
As you learn how to prepare for a roof replacement, the process will only go smoother. Additionally, it will help the professionals that are replacing your roof by ensuring the process will go smoothly for them, as well.
B&M Roofing — Roof Replacement Services
Since 1947, B&M Roofing has been one of Colorado’s most trusted roofing companies. Through professional management and exceptional production teams, we continue our longstanding tradition of excellence.
We offer both commercial and residential roofing services. Our extensive range of roofing and roof repair services, including roof replacement, will help you ensure that your roof is built to last. We even provide emergency roof repair for major, time-sensitive damages to your roof. To find out how B&M Roofing can help you with all of your roofing needs, request a free estimate, fill out our contact form, or give us a call today!