A roof replacement is a vital and valuable exterior upgrade that protects your home from bad weather, increases energy efficiency, and adds curb appeal. There’s a lot involved in the actual replacement process—but you can make it go more smoothly when you plan ahead properly.
Do these steps before and during installation, and you’ll enjoy a safe, streamlined roof replacement.
What to Do Before the Installation Crew Comes
1. Protect Landscaping Features
Before installation, your old roofing needs to be removed. This process is dusty and generates debris that will be tossed over the side of your roof and then carried to a dumpster. So, before the start of your project, protect outdoor furniture, potted plants, toys, and other movable items by storing them in your garage or shed. Cover bushes and flowerbeds with tarps.
2. Clear the Driveway
Make sure your home is accessible so that workers can easily go back and forth between vehicles, roofing materials, a dumpster, and your roof. Your driveway will be a convenient place to stage all the labor. And you’ll rest at ease knowing your vehicle is parked safely in your garage or down the street away from the construction zone.
3. Trim Your Lawn Short
Debris from your old roof, including broken shingles and old nails, will be removed from your lawn at the end of the project. But sometimes these bits of trash can get overlooked if they get stuck in high grass. So, set your mower to cut the lawn as low as possible, and trim everything the day before the roofers arrive. This makes it much easier to spot stray nails and safely scoop them up with magnets to discard them.
4. Inform Your Neighbors
Any exterior remodeling project—roof replacement included—can affect people in the homes around you. It’s common courtesy to let them know you’ll be having work done. In addition, the roofing team will likely arrive in several vehicles. Coordinating issues ahead of time, like parking, can make everyone’s life easier.
5. Find Out Where to Put Materials and Dumpsters
Ahead of your roof replacement, your roofing supplies will be sent directly to your home by the manufacturer. This helps ensure that your roofing shingles/panels are safely transported, but you’ll need a convenient place to store everything. It’s normal for the roofer to order a dumpster as well because there will be a lot of old debris to haul away. Ask your roofer where it would be ideal to place everything.
Tip: If you are concerned that the dumpster’s weight may mar your driveway’s surface, ensure the deliverer will have wood pallets to place underneath the dumpster.
What to Do on the Day of Installation
1. Be Ready to Supply Utilities
Power tools such as nail guns will likely be used during your roof replacement. If you have electrical outlets outdoors, be sure to point them out to your roofer because they’ll come in handy. If you don’t have outdoor outlets, you may need to place an extension cord out the window so workers can access it. It’s also helpful to make a hose available, as the crew may need water during the installation as well.
2. Spend Time Away from Home
There’s no way around it—roof replacement is a noisy process. Workers will be walking atop your roof throughout the day. You’ll hear lots of hammering and the roaring of power tools, as well as talking. This noise can’t be avoided, but it can feel disruptive, especially if you’re trying to work from home or put down your baby for a long nap. If you can arrange to be out of the house as much as possible, you’ll find your day is much more relaxing.
3. Keep Children and Pets Safely Indoors
With old roofing shingles, loose nails, busy workers, and power tools in use on your front and back lawn, there are a lot of pitfalls for your loved ones to avoid. The best way to protect everyone from injury is to keep children and pets out of the work zone. Remember, debris may be tossed off the roof, and workers may not see pets and children underfoot until it’s too late. So, keep everyone indoors, or bring them to daycare or play dates until the roofers are gone.
4. Stay Available for Last-Minute Questions
While a roofing installation normally goes smoothly, it’s possible that the roofer may need to check in with you. Whether it’s an unexpected area of rot on your roof underlayment, an issue with gutters, a change of plans due to sudden stormy weather, or simply a question to confirm details—plan to be available on-site or by phone/text for any last-minute communication about your project. It makes things go more smoothly when you’re easy to reach.
5. Offer Snacks (if You Can)
Removing old roofing and installing a new roof takes hours of hard work. And while your roofing crew will take care of bringing their lunches, it’s thoughtful for homeowners to have a few small treats on hand for the installation team. Refreshing, cool bottles of water, Gatorade, and lemonade are always appreciated. Easy-to-eat packaged chips, crackers, and cookies work well too.
Get a Lasting, Attractive New Roof from Iron River Construction
When it’s time to update your roof, it’s important to choose a team you can rely on to do the installation properly. At Iron River Construction, we keep you informed about what to expect throughout your roof replacement, and we guarantee our work so you have peace of mind in the results.
Learn more about roofing services that can transform your Minneapolis or St. Paul area home and make it shine.
