Will My Home Be Damaged During The Roofing Process?
What to Expect During the Roofing Process
The roofing process is not a small project. It requires resources and space for supplies, a dumpster, and more, and the entire process can cause you to worry about damage to your property. This is especially true if you have invested time and money in your hardscape and landscaping. Beautiful flower beds, patios, paver walkways, and a manicured backyard are often the highlights of a luxury home. The thought of them getting disrupted or damaged during the replacement roofing process is something to consider. In fact, damage to your property is a common question when the time comes for a roofing replacement. While the possibility of damage is always a concern during any home improvement or remodeling project, there are ways in which you can protect your home. It starts by working with the right local roofing contractor. Understanding the roofing process and a detailed discussion with your contractor before work starts can ensure minimal damage to your property during the roofing process.
In this post, we will examine what you can do to facilitate a damage-free roofing process and the steps a professional roofing contractor takes to protect your home during the roofing process.
Before Work Begins: Proactively Protecting Your Property
During the roofing process, there is always a possibility that the mess from old materials might fall off the roof the wrong way and cause accidental damage if proper precautions are not taken. This can lead to costly property damage and potentially injure unsuspecting children or your four-legged family members.
Working with a professional roofing contractor like Rooftop Solutions can reduce the likelihood of property damage to your home's exterior, gardens, landscaping, and hardscape. While potential damage is a consideration, there are some steps you can take before the roofing contractor arrives to do the work. Here are some tips:
Cut the Lawn
Your roofing contractor will use tarps and drop costs to protect your landscaping and grass. However, they will only cover five to 10 feet around your home. Some debris can fall farther, so cutting your lawn can help you spot and clear smaller debris during and after the roofing process.
Inspect the Area
Do a property walk-around. Take note of any pre-existing damage or other issues and take pictures or videos to document the area. Your contractor will likely do this to protect themselves as well.
Check your Nearby Landscaping
Inspect all of the shrubs, bushes, and gardens around your home. Tarps should cover these areas to protect them from falling debris and materials throughout the process. Patios, decks, and pools can also be susceptible to damage, especially during windy weather. Landscaping protection is part of the scope of work covered by your contractor, but you should check before they start work.
Cover Items in Your Attic
Whether you have a finished space or use your attic for storage, if it's full of items, it can get dusty and dirty during the roofing process. Before work begins, cover items with sheets or drop cloths to keep them safe.
Let Your Neighbors Know
Before construction begins, as a courtesy, let your neighbors know about your upcoming project. All the noise and commotion during a roofing project can be brief, but it is still enough to anger your neighbors if they are not warned. The dust and debris can also fall into their yard depending on the weather and their proximity, but if you warn them, they should understand!
Your Roofing Contractor and the Roofing Process
One of the primary jobs of a roofing contractor is protecting your property whenever they are on the roof. They will take precautions like protecting your attic, landscaping, moving anything in your outdoor space, and keeping their vehicles and roofing supplies on paved surfaces.
Protecting Your Attic
During the tear-off process, your attic will get a dusting of debris. While you should be proactive and cover precious items, your roofing contractor will either put plastic on the ceiling to make a tent so it shields everything. It's still a good practice to back them up by covering special items.
Tarping the Landscaping
Your contractor will angle a tarp secured from the gutters down to a dump tarp or dumpster on the ground to cover the foliage and landscaping. When the roofing debris lands on the tarp, it slides down to the ground safely, rather than damaging your shrubs and flowers.
Clearing Your Patio or Deck
If you haven't moved any deck furniture before your contractor arrives, they will do it for you. As part of their preparation process, they will take photos of your deck and how everything was laid out before moving anything. The only time they will not move anything is in the case of a gas line-connected grill or outdoor kitchen. In this instance, they will take plywood and make a protective shelter for the items.
Covering Your Pool and Spa
Your pool was a significant investment, just like your roof replacement. Your contractor understands this and will cover your pool and spa with a freshly unwrapped tarp for the entire roofing process. If it is not protected properly, fiberglass in the air from the old roof will stick to the top of the water. This will pass through the filter, clogging and potentially damaging your pool's pumps.
Staying on The Paved Surface
Your contractor is mindful of the disruption a remodeling project can bring. They also understand that the top priority is your safety and not damaging your property. They will always park on the pavement. You don't want a truck with a dumpster tearing through the lawn and tearing it up, or worse, damaging underground utility lines.
Talk With Your Roofing Contractor
Voice any concerns and ask any questions you might have. A professional roofing contractor will take the time to educate you about the process, notify you of any potential issues, and work with you to schedule and complete your job on time and on budget. The roofing process is complex, and the number one priority for your contractor is protecting your property.
A roof replacement is a costly project designed to protect your family and belongings from the elements. Your contractors understand this fact. A skilled professional will do everything in their power to complete your project with as little disruption as possible and with the utmost concern for safety. It may be a little stressful, but remember, in the end, you'll have a new roof that looks great, needs minimal maintenance, and is off your to-do list for the next 20 to 30 years!
Do you need a new roof or a roof repair? If you live in Waseca, Freeborn, or the surrounding Counties in Southern Minnesota, call Rooftop Solutions at (507) 400-7663. With 50+ Five-Star Google Reviews, we are not your typical fly-by-night, subcontract-it-out roofing contractor. We can help you determine the extent of any roof damage, handle your insurance claim, and safely repair or replace your roof with the latest roofing technology. Let us solve your roofing problem and provide you with a roof with long-lasting materials that are energy-efficient and look stunning!