Is the day of your roof replacement coming up? Are you stressed out thinking about how you can get ready for it?
Well, don’t worry too much. There are some things you can do to prepare for the big day.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been replacing roofs in the Nashville area since 1990. Our high-quality workmanship ensures you get a roof that gives you peace of mind. That’s why we offer a lifetime warranty.
Always eager to help out, I’ve come up with some tips that will help get you ready for the day of your roof replacement. Thinking about your pets and moving your vehicles are just two of the things you can do to ensure everything goes smoothly on your end.
Continue reading to learn the 8 tips to prepare for your roof replacement.
1. Think about your pets
When getting ready for a new roof, you need to consider your pets and how they handle loud noises.
If your dog is scared of storms, I can guarantee they’re not going to like the banging that comes with a replacement. I’ve even had a customer say their cat didn’t come out from under the bed for a week after the project was completed.
I recommend finding somewhere for your dog or cat to go on the day of your replacement. Thinking about your pets is just one thing to consider before you replace your roof.
Before we continue, have you considered if you actually need a replacement? To help determine if you need a new roof, read this article on the 5 things to consider before you replace your roof.
2. Take things off the wall
When your roof is installed, it causes vibrations throughout your home. It’s especially true if your contractor uses hand-nailing as the installation method.
Just because something is on your wall doesn’t mean these vibrations are going to knock it down. But to be safe, if you have something valuable, important, or irreplaceable, just take it down until the job is completed.
To learn more about how the installation method your contractor uses affects your roof and home, read this article on hand nailing vs. air gun nailing.
3. Move your vehicles
On the day of your roof replacement, your driveway will have a dump truck/trailer and your roofing contractor’s vehicles. If you plan to leave during your roof replacement, it’s important to move your vehicles before your contractor shows up, so you don’t get blocked in.
If you get blocked in and need to leave, the entire process has to stop and clear everything to allow you to get through. Ensuring your vehicles are out of the driveway or garage is just one thing a reputable roofing contractor does.
To learn more about hiring a reputable roofer, read this article on why it’s important to hire a local roofing contractor.
4. Turn off your irrigation system
While the vehicles will remain off your lawn, your roofing contractor will be walking on it. If you have an irrigation system in your grass, I recommend shutting it off on the day of and a day or two before your roof replacement.
If your lawn is freshly watered, walking on the wet grass will damage the lawn you’re proud of. It’s not something you would normally think when getting a new roof, but it’s just one of the things your roofing contractor does to protect your yard and property.
To learn what the other steps they take, read this article on how a contractor protects your property during a roof replacement.
5. Look to see if you have a power source outside
One question a contractor will ask when they come out to inspect your roof is if you have an outside power source. They’ll test it to ensure it’s still putting out power, and if it’s not, they’ll know they need a generator when they come to replace your roof.
They need a power source in case they have to cut wood to replace rotten decking. Your roof decking is just one part of a quality roof system that is replaced when you get a new roof.
Read this article on the 9 materials included in your roof replacement to learn more about what other roof components are replaced.
6. Inspect your property
The day before your roof replacement, you should go around the outside of your home and inspect your property. Check for torn window screens, dented gutters, damaged light fixtures, or any other damage that is already there.
It is also your chance to see what isn’t damaged and take pictures of everything before the replacement process begins. If you find damage afterward, you’ll know it was caused by the roofing contractor.
A reputable roofing contractor does everything in their power to protect your property. However, if they do cause damage, they’ll own up to it and take care of the issue.
But be warned, some contractors sneak into the fine print of the quote that they’re not responsible for any damage. To learn more about the importance of looking over the clauses and exclusions on your quote, read this article on the 3 reasons to read the fine print on your roof estimate.
7. Decide if you want to stay home
A roof replacement is loud and annoying as it is, but it’s even louder inside your home.
So, if you work from home or just plan on staying home, you might want to find somewhere else to go for the day. Remember, it’s completely up to you if you want to stay or leave.
But you’ll need to decide before the day of the install if you want to stay home during your roof replacement. To help you with your decision, read this article on if you should stay home during your roof replacement.
8. Don’t set your security alarm
If you decide to leave while your roof is being installed, always lock your doors — but don’t set your alarm.
Remember, a roof replacement causes vibrations. If you have a security system, these vibrations and noise could possibly set your alarm off. The last thing you want is to come all the way home and to bother your local police.
Are you worried about how long you’ll have to leave your alarm off while your roof is being replaced? To learn when you can expect your replacement to be finished, check out this article on how long it takes to replace your roof.
What to expect on the day of your roof replacement
When you think about your pets, inspect your property, and take things off the wall, you’re prepared for your new roof to be installed. These are the things that you can do to help with the replacement process.
Now that you know how to prepare, you need to know about the actual replacement process. Learning the process helps you know exactly what happens on the most important day in your roof's life.
Luckily, we've already broken it down for you.
The team at Bill Ragan Roofing has been providing the residents of Nashville with high-quality roof replacements since 1990. You can count on our workmanship to give you the best roof possible and we provide you with a lifetime warranty to back that up. If you're local to Nashville, contact us to take care of your roof replacement needs today.
To learn what happens on your roof's big day, check out this article on the 8-Step Process to Replace Your Roof.
