Roof replacement is not a minor job. It involves a lot of moving, climbing, lifting, and hammering. But in the end, you will be happy you made the decision to replace worn out or damaged roofs. To ensure that you do not have any regrets whatsoever, you need to know what to expect during installation and prepare your home accordingly. Consider 9 things you should do before the Colorado Springs roofing company you hire arrives.
1. Park your Car on the Street
Parking your car at a safe distance from your house ensures that you do not get trapped when the shingles supplier arrives in the morning. It will take some time to offload the materials. Plus, the roofers often park their garbage bin in the driveway. If your car is in the driveway and you need to be somewhere at that time, you may have to take the bus or a cab to your destination. Do not park your car inside your garage even if you are not going out. Garage roofs are usually not insulated, so nails and shingle granules can easily drop on your car. You may scratch the paint of the car when trying to clean them off.
2. Take your Children and Pets out of the House
The last thing home roofers want is a bunch of kids and pets running around during installation. You, on the other hand, will not want to see your kids involved in a domestic accident during the project. You can help yourself and the roofing team by taking your kids out of the house. You can take them to a family member’s or friend’s house. If your pets must remain at home, make sure their crates and toys are nearby.
3. Remove Toys and Furniture on the Patio
The roofers will move around a lot and having toys litter the walkway can disrupt movement. It may even cause a trip and fall accident. Your patio furniture can also slow down the pace of work as the roofers may need to move them to create space for their materials. Before the roofers arrive, move toys and furniture to the garage and cover them properly to prevent falling shingles and debris from damaging them.
4. Clear the Garden
Remove everything in your garden that may be in the way of the roofers including mosaic stepping stones, flower pots, bird feeders, birdhouses, statues, and solar-powered lights. If you can’t remove the sprinkler system in your garden, mark the sprinkler head and notify the Colorado Springs roofing company, so that the roofers do not trip over it.
5. Mark Delicate Plants
Some plants are very delicate and pricey too. If you have such plants in your home, make sure you place netting or a tarp over it. When the roofers come, show the marked plant to the project supervisor, so that the person can inform the workers. The roofers will be careful not to step on the plant or allow shingles to drop on it.
6. Cut your Grass
Before the roofing team comes, cut your grass to a short length. This way the roofers can easily spot nails and leftover debris when cleaning up your surroundings. Long grass can easily hide nails and your or your children may step on it.
7. Inform your Neighbors
You need to give your neighbors a heads up before you start your roof installation. You don’t want to surprise them with the noise and disturbance from your home. When they are aware that you are doing a roof replacement, they will be willing to bear the inconvenience and cooperate with you when their assistance is needed.
8. Clear up the Attic
There’s no way installation can take place without dust and debris collecting in your attic. It is advisable then to clear up your attic if you store valuables there. Consider moving them to the ground floor until the job is complete. If you can’t move the items, use a plastic sheet to cover them. This will protect them from dust and shingle debris.
9. Put Down Wall Decors
Don’t leave any mirrors, paintings, and other wall decorations hanging on the wall while the roofers are working. The vibrations from the installation may cause them to fall and break.
Depending on the size of your home, your roof replacement may take a day or two to complete. You can make things faster and easier for the Colorado Springs roofing company by preparing your home in advance for the job.