In this article, you will learn:
1. What to expect your roofing company to handle
2. How to prepare for a professional roof replacement
3. What happens after
4. How to make installation easier on your loved ones
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No matter how well you maintain your roof, it will eventually need to get replaced with new roofing materials. In fact, the average asphalt shingle roof lasts for about 20 years before the materials become vulnerable to leaks and damage.
Planning for that roof replacement can feel a bit overwhelming if you’re not sure what to expect.
Working with an experienced roofing contractor is the best way to make sure the project gets done properly. However, before you make an appointment, you need to know what the replacement process will involve and what you can do to make the project easier for yourself and your family.
Here’s what you need to know.
What You Can Expect from Your Roofing Company
When you start exploring your options and make the decision to schedule a roof replacement, your roofing company will make sure to take care of the entire job from start to finish.
The whole process can take a few weeks even though installing the new roofing materials is relatively simple. Here’s what you can expect the process to look like.
Professional Inspection
Before the team can start working on your roof, they need to have an understanding of what the task will involve. This means your contractor will need to inspect your current roof, the attic, and the support structure.
They’ll make sure the supports are able to handle the weight of the new roof and can help you decide which types of roofing materials you want to use for your new roof. If they see any issues during the inspection, they’ll make a plan to repair them prior to the replacement.
During the inspection, they’ll also give you a detailed quote for how much the project will cost.
Planning the Installation
Your roofer will work with your schedule to find a time that works for you and your family. You don’t have to be home during the installation, but it can be helpful if you’re around when the project starts.
They’ll also take care of any necessary building permits so you won’t have to worry about violating ordinances or getting charged fines.
Removing Old Materials
As part of your new roof installation, your team will carefully remove all existing roofing materials from your home. This helps preserve the integrity of your new roof and prevents leaks in the future.
Once the old materials are gone and placed in a dumpster, they’ll be able to install the new materials properly. The end result will be a roof that fully protects your home from the elements and helps keep your heating and cooling costs low throughout the year.
Hauling Away Debris
Once they’re done installing your new roof, your roofers will remove the waste from your property. They’ll walk the perimeter of your home to check for any loose roofing nails or materials that may not have made it into the dumpster.
After cleaning up stray debris, they’ll schedule a time to haul the dumpster off your property. You’ll end up with a yard that looks just as good as it did before the roofers arrived.
How to Get Your Home Ready for a Roof Replacement
Before your roofing company arrives, you need to make sure your property is ready for the roof installation appointment. Every home is unique and the exact things you’ll need to do for your property can differ.
However, there are a few things every homeowner will want to take care of before the big day comes.
Move Your Vehicles
Before your roofing team arrives, take the time to move your vehicles out of the way. If they’re in the driveway, move them to the street so you can leave as needed. If they’re in an attached garage, pull your cars out so you won’t get blocked in by equipment.
This will give your roofers easier access to the house. If they can park their equipment closer to your house, they’ll be able to get work done more quickly.
Pick Up Patio Furniture and Toys
It’s normal to have patio furniture and toys strewn across the yard. It’s what makes your outdoor living space more comfortable. However, leaving those things out in the yard while your roofers are on-site isn’t in your best interest.
Move patio furniture inside the house so stray roofing materials won’t damage them if they get dropped. Pick up toys around the yard to help keep your roofers safe. Remember, small toys can turn into tripping hazards.
Protect Your Garden and Your Landscaping
If you have landscaping close to the house or carefully cultivated gardens, you’ll want to take steps to protect those plants from falling shingles and roofing materials.
The best way to do this is to create temporary walls around those plants with planks of wood or sturdy supports. Then, cover those supports with a durable tarp.
The tarp will keep those stray roofing materials from crushing your plants.
Don’t worry. You don’t have to cover everything. Established trees and shrubs can stand up to loose roofing materials without suffering damage.
Give Your Lawn Some TLC
Before your roofing appointment, take the time to mow your lawn. This will make it easier for your roofers to spot potential hazards in the grass and helps them keep your lawn free and clear of debris.
Once you cut the grass, try to mark the locations of any sprinkler heads or drainage areas with flags. This will help your roofers keep from damaging those components.
Have a Plan for Your Kids and Pets
The crew needs to be able to install your new roofing materials safely. If you have kids or pets out in the yard, the installation team will have trouble getting things done quickly.
Find a way to keep your kids entertained indoors and keep your pets out of the yard while workers are on the property. If you normally leave your pets outside while you’re at work, consider boarding them at your veterinarian’s location or drop them off at a pet daycare service for the day.
Prune Your Trees Ahead of Time
Low-hanging tree limbs are major hazards for your roof and they’ll be just as bad once your new roof gets installed. Worse, they can get in the way of your new roof installation, making work take longer.
Call your landscaper or tree service and get those low-hanging limbs trimmed back before the roofers arrive. This will help keep your new roof safer once it’s installed and makes it easier for the crew to install it in the first place.
What Happens After
After your new roof installation is complete, your roofer will walk you through everything that they did. This gives you an opportunity to make sure everything you thought would get taken care of was and helps you understand any changes or repairs they made.
They’ll be able to go over the warranty with you and can answer any remaining questions you have about your new roof. Don’t hesitate to ask questions, even if they seem fairly basic.
Your roofers want you to understand exactly what you’re getting with your new roof and how you can best maintain it for years to come.
How to Make Installation Easier on Your Loved Ones
Getting a new roof on your home can be disruptive to your daily routine. Though the process itself takes just a few days on average, you need to make sure you’re ready ahead of time if you want to help your family better manage the installation process.
Take the time to get your home and yard ready before the roofers arrive. Make sure you understand the steps the roofers will take to remove your old roof and install the new one and plan for a few days of noise at your house.
New roof installation appointments are inherently noisy. While you can live in a house while the roof is getting replaced, you may not want to stay inside for the entire project. If you work from home, look for ways to stay productive in a noisy environment or find a place to work away from the house until the roof gets finished.
If your children or pets are sensitive to loud noises, consider taking them away from the house while your roofers are working. After they leave for the day, your home will be just as quiet as it normally is.
Schedule Your Roof Installation Appointment Now
A roof replacement is one of the best ways to add value to your home. By working with an experienced roofing company, you’ll know that your new roof will last for decades to come.
Now that you know what to expect from the process and the types of things you can do to make the project go more quickly, you’re ready to schedule an estimate with an experienced roofing contractor.
Contact the team at T. Simpson Roofing to schedule an estimate today. With more than 25 years of experience, we’ll make sure your new roof gets installed quickly, correctly, and on-budget.
