Time for a new roof in Nashville or is the day of your installation quickly approaching? Are you wondering what YOU can do to make sure the roof replacement process goes smoothly?
A roof replacement is a large construction project. There’s a lot happening on your property with plenty of moving pieces.
It can look chaotic. And the last thing you want is to get in the way or caught off guard because you didn’t know what to expect or how to prepare you and your property.
So, I want to give you the ways you can help you and your Nashville roofer have a smooth experience.
For over 35 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has provided thousands of Nashville residents with smooth roof replacement experiences. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to service everyone in Nashville and Middle TN. But that doesn’t mean I can’t help you have a great roofing experience.
In this article, I’ll break down the following ways Nashville homeowners can prepare for their upcoming roof replacement:
A roof replacement is a loud and annoying project on both the outside and inside of your home. So, you need to decide if you want to stay home during your roof replacement before the day of the project.
However, it’s entirely up to you to stay or leave. I recommend leaving, but any roofing contractor has no problem if you plan on staying home.
You just need to consider your situation and how you’ll handle the noise, especially if you work from home. If you do decide to stay, just be aware of all the moving pieces, where it’s safe to walk, stay out of the installers’ way, and have an exit strategy if you decide to leave if the noise becomes too much.
Just like deciding how you’ll handle the noise, you also need to consider your pets. If your dog or cat is scared of storms or fireworks, I guarantee they won’t like the banging that comes with a roof replacement.
I’ve even had customers say their cat didn’t come out from under the bed for a week after completing the project. So, I recommend finding somewhere for your dog or cat to go on the day of your replacement if loud noises are a normal concern for them.
Attics get a good dusting of roofing debris, sawdust, and wood splinters during a roof replacement, which creates a big mess. That’s why you need to decide if you want to cover your attic during the roof replacement process.
However, it’s crucial to talk to your roofing contractor about it before the project begins. Because the debris starts raining down as soon as they start tearing off your old roof.
If you do, they’ll make a plastic tent to attach to the ceiling that shields falling debris or lay tarping/plastic over everything. Once it's complete, they’ll roll the plastic or tarp with all the debris up to throw away.
When installing your new roof, vibrations go throughout your home (more severely with the hand-nailing installation method). That’s why I recommend taking valuable, important, or irreplaceable items on the walls or shelves down until your roof is replaced.
Vibrations are guaranteed to knock something down, and it’s uncommon on most roof replacements. However, it’s better to be safe with what you deem important or valuable.
This is especially true considering that some Nashville roofing contractors include a clause in their contract stating they aren’t liable for any property damage.
On the day of your roof replacement, the materials, a dump trailer, and your roofing contractor’s vehicles will be in your driveway. So, it’s crucial to move your vehicle(s) the night before to avoid getting blocked in if you plan or need to leave during your roof replacement.
If you get blocked in, the entire process has to stop, and everything must be cleared so you can get through. This can delay the project, which is why I recommend being prepared by moving your vehicles out of the way whether you decide to stay or go.
While all vehicles stay on paved surfaces, your Nashville roofing contractor will walk in the grass. Unfortunately, walking on fresh, wet grass damages your lawn.
That’s why I recommend shutting off your irrigation system or automatic sprinklers a day or two before, especially on the day of your roof replacement. This is simply part of the process to ensure your property is protected, but only you can do it.
While most roofing contractors work with generators, there may be a situation when an outside power source is needed. They could have problems with the generator, need another outlet, or a tool is too powerful.
However, they also need to know if the power source actually works. So, they’ll test it or ask you to before your roof replacement to ensure it’s still putting out power.
If it isn’t, this lets them plan and prepare to have a backup plan.
The day before your roof replacement, it’s a good idea to inspect your property and take pictures of existing damage (torn window screens, damaged light fixtures, etc.). You should also take general pictures of your property just in case something looks out of place or to check if there’s damage you didn’t notice before.
A reputable Nashville roofing contractor does everything possible to protect your property, but mistakes happen. If they cause damage, they should own up to it and take care of the issue at no charge.
But remember, there are clauses in contracts releasing a company of liability for any damage caused during a roof replacement.
If you decide to leave during your roof replacement, lock your doors, but don’t set your alarm. While it’s not likely, the vibrations and noise can set off sensitive security alarms.
You don’t have to shut off cameras or other security systems. But the last thing you want is to come all the way home and bother your local police because vibrations caused your alarm to go off.
Now you know what to do to prepare for the day of your roof replacement on your Nashville, TN, home. By thinking about your pets, inspecting your property, taking things off the wall, and the other things we’ve covered, you’re ready for a smooth experience.
But be warned, getting a new roof is chaotic and messy, with a lot of moving pieces. As I said, it is a construction project, and it can be alarming if you’ve never been through it.
The last thing you want is to be unprepared for the chaos and stressed when you see things flying off your roof. That’s why I wrote another article breaking down a reputable roofing contractor’s replacement process.
Check out the 8-Step Process to Replace Your Roof to learn the steps a Nashville roofing contractor takes when replacing your roof.
If you're ready to start the roof replacement process, Get a Free Quote here or call our office at (615) 242-0333 today to schedule your free roof inspection.