Contemplating a roof replacement? Whether you’ve had damage from storms or your roof is weathered from old age, every home eventually needs an update. If you’ve never had roofing replaced before, you may be wondering what’s involved. The good news is, with a little preparation, your new roof installation should go smoothly.
Here’s what you can expect when a pro roofer (like us!) gives your home the makeover it needs.
How to Prepare Before the Roof Replacement Begins
A day or two before the roofers are scheduled to arrive, take time to prepare your property to keep people and possessions safe, and make your space easy for workers to navigate.
Clear Your Outdoor Spaces
Get your outdoor areas ready for the foot traffic and work that will be done around your home.
- Move furnishings, planters, and lawn décor away from your home exterior. If possible, store them in a shed.
- Trim trees and bushes away from exterior, cover flowerbeds with tarps, and cut grass low. This makes it easier for roofers to clean up debris as they work.
Prepare Your Interior
Because there will be a lot of workers atop the roof, your home’s walls may tremble, causing items to fall.
- Take down pictures and wall hangings on exterior walls to prevent breakage.
- Pull furnishings safely away from walls.
- Move valuables out of the attic, and cover remaining attic storage items with a tarp.
Park Cars Safely Out of the Way
Between old roofing products, dust and dirt, and workers’ movements, your cars will be in the way if left in your driveway.
- If the car is in the garage, it will be safe but you won’t be easily able to get out.
- A good compromise is to park vehicles elsewhere, such as on the street a few houses down.
Make Room for Delivered Items
Your roofing company may opt to have new roofing materials delivered directly to your home. They will likely also use a dumpster. Be sure there is space to put everything.
- Clear an area of your driveway where roofing materials can be placed.
- Ask for wood footing to be placed on your driveway before the dumpster is set in place. (This displaces the weight and protects asphalt and concrete.)
Make Arrangements for Pets and Children
With the commotion outside your house, the daily activities of children and pets can be disrupted. Make plans to keep them safe and happy.
- Keep an eye on children, so they do not get in the way of workers and potentially hurt themselves on tools and debris.
- Pets can easily become frightened by the noise and people. Secure them safely inside your home, or take them to the kennel.
Be Prepared for the Noise
In case you’re wondering—yes, you can stay in your home during the replacement process. But remember, replacing a roof can be a noisy process, with hammering, people talking outside, and lots of footsteps on your roof.
- If you work from home, be prepared, as the noise might make you less productive.
- Consider going into the office or spending time at the local library if you need quiet.
- If you must leave your home, be careful. Remember, workers atop the roof may not be able to see you as they toss old materials aside.
What the Roofers Will Do During Installation
During the actual process of your replacement, the roofing company will take several steps to get the roof replacement completed in a timely, professional manner. Here’s what they’ll do:
1. Set Up Work Stations
The roofers will need easy access to your roof and clear spaces to work from. So, expect them to set up tools and work areas. If you have preferences for where they do this, let the foreman or project manager know ahead of time.
2. Remove Old Roofing
Before the workers can install new roofing, they must first remove the old roof shingles and flashing. They may create piles of debris on your lawn first, then cart them to the dumpster. They may also toss the debris over the side of the roof (so be careful if you’re walking outside your home).
They’ll also temporarily remove items such as satellite dishes and antennas. This may disrupt TV viewing, but the workers will reinstall everything once the replacement process is completed.
3. Make Repairs
Once the old roofing is removed, it becomes easier to spot issues such as rotted wood underlayment or damaged roof support beams. These issues usually occur when your old roofing wasn’t keeping out moisture from rain and snow. If damage is found, repairs need to be made before the new roof is installed, or the damage will simply grow worse, putting your home at risk.
4. Install New Materials
The final installation step atop the roof is to attach all the new materials. A trustworthy, pro roofer (like our team!) will attend to all the details—not just roof shingles, but also roof vents, flashing around the chimney, a roof ridge cap, and more. They will also check the new roof to be sure everything is securely in place before leaving.
5. Clean the Worksite
Finally, the worksite—your lawn and driveway—are checked one final time to be sure all debris has been safely placed in the dumpster and/or hauled away. We’ll use special tools to pick up stray nails and staples from your landscaping.
Enjoy Your New Roof!
Now, your roofing installation is finished—and you can relax and love the attractive, energy-efficient protection your new roof provides for your home.
Upgrade Your Roof with John McCarter Construction
The right new roof keeps your home protected, adds curb appeal, and gives you years of low-maintenance and long-lasting enjoyment. Our team at John McCarter Construction has helped over 10,000 Detroit Metro, Ann Arbor, and Rochester Hills homeowners love their home improvements, and we’re here to answer your questions about the best roofing to fit your home.
Check out our roofing options, and let us know how we can help!
