What to Expect When Getting Your Roof Replaced

The need for roof replacement is a reality faced by every homeowner at one point or another. 

While a roof replacement can be costly, it is a necessary part of keeping your home safe and secure. 

Knowing what to expect when getting your roof replaced, can make the process run smoothly for both you and your roofing company. 

To help make sense of it all, we’ll walk you through typical roof replacement steps and offer tips on what you can do to prepare your home and yard before the work begins.  

Here’s a quick look at exactly what to expect when getting your roof replaced! 

What to Expect From Your Roofing Company

If this is your first time seeking a roof replacement, you may not know what to expect from your roofing company. 

No matter the type of roof you have, or the size of your home, the typical roof replacement steps remain the same. 

In general, you can expect the job to take up to a few weeks. Exactly how long it takes to complete the roof replacement will depend on factors like the weather, the materials used, and the size of your roof. 

Once you know you need your roof replaced, here’s what to expect from your roofing company:   

Professional roof inspection

The roof replacement process begins with a professional roof inspection. 

Before any work can start, professional roofers will need to know what they are working with and exactly what the replacement will involve. This means that the roofing company will inspect your roof and the supporting structures to ensure that they can handle the weight of the new roof. 

This inspection will help determine the best materials for the replacement and identify any potential issues or repairs that need to be addressed prior to the new roof going on. 

Planning Installation

Once the inspection is complete, your roofing company will schedule the work. They will identify a time that fits their availability but also works with your schedule. 

It is not necessary for you to be home during the roof replacement process but it is a good idea to be home for the first day, at the very least. 

At this point, the roofing company will acquire any necessary building permits to avoid generating fines. 

Property Protection

The next roof replacement step is protecting your home and property from debris. 

The roofing company will use plywood and tarps to cover your home’s siding and walls, as well as bushes and plants in your garden. 

Removal of Old Roofing Materials

Next, the roofers will carefully remove the old roofing materials. Care will be taken in this step to avoid damaging the structure of the roof, ensure its integrity, and prevent future leaks. 

The old materials will be put into a dumpster or in a large truck bed and hauled away from the property once the job is complete. 

what expect when getting your roof replaces

Inspect Roofing Structure for Rot & Water Damage

Once the old roofing materials have been removed, the roofing company can look more closely for any rot and water damage. 

Any damage that is found in the decking will need to be repaired or replaced before the new roofing materials can be applied. 

This step is essential. Solid decking makes a solid foundation that will ensure your shingles remain intact and protective for as long as possible

Roof Surface Prep

After the inspection and any damage has been repaired, the roof will be prepped for installation. 

The drip edge will be installed at the edge of the roof. This piece of metal will prevent rain from seeping into the underlying roofing materials and causing damage in the future. 

Similarly, an ice and water shield will be applied to any areas where penetration is possible. The most important places will be at the site of roof connections, pipe flanges, and around chimneys.

Once the shield has been laid, roofing felt will be applied. The roofing felt prevents the shingles from sticking directly to the wood decking.

Installation of New Roofing Materials

Now that the above roof replacement steps have been completed, the roofers can start to install the new roofing materials. A roofer will begin at the bottom and work their way up, towards the top of the roof. 

How to Prepare Your Yard for a Roof Replacement

While the literal roof preparation will be handled by your roofing company, there are several things you can do to prepare the yard and outside of your home for a roof replacement. 

These steps will help you keep your home, family, pets, and outdoor items safe and secure while the replacement is underway. 

1. Move vehicles

If your cars are parked in a driveway or an attached garage, move them to the street before the workers arrive.

Street parking will allow you to come and go as you please without being blocked in by trucks or heavy equipment. 

This will also allow the roofers to park closer to your house, helping them complete necessary tasks quickly and more efficiently. 

Clean up yard furniture & toys

If you have any yard or patio furniture, it is best to bring it inside or put it in a shed while work is being done. 

Not only may the furniture get in the way, but it can also be easily damaged by falling debris and roofing materials. 

If your children or pets have toys in the yard, pick them up and move them out of the way. Things like balls or other small objects may quickly become tripping hazards. 

2. Cut lawn

While cutting the lawn before a roof replacement may not seem like a top priority, shorter grass can actually help the process. 

Short grass allows roofers to identify potential hazards on the ground and will also help them to see debris so they can effectively clean up when the work is complete. 

Take a few extra moments to identify any sprinkler heads with a small flag so roofers know where to step! 

3. Protect garden & landscaping

Your roofing company will take some steps to protect the areas around your home, but it is best if you take some of these steps on your own. 

If you have a garden up against the house, create makeshift walls with plywood and bricks (or other sturdy materials). Once that’s done, cover the supports with a tarp. The tarp will keep plants safe from falling materials. 

Well-established trees and bushes should be strong enough to withstand some falling debris without too much damage. But, if you are worried about them, covering them won’t hurt. 

what expect when getting your roof replaced

4. Plan for children & pets

Safety should always be a top priority on any construction project and roofing replacements are no exception. 

Roofing is inherently risky and roofers need to remain focused on the task at hand. If children or pets are running around the yard, it can distract and slow down the workers. 

Debris from roofs may be dangerous to children and pets, as well. You do not want to spend the entire installation worried that your kids are going to step on an old roofing nail! 

So, plan to keep everyone indoors while work is taking place. Maybe plan a day trip with the kids if you are worried they will get bored or feel bothered by the noise. If keeping your pets indoors is impossible consider boarding them or sending them to a pet daycare. 

How to Prepare Your Home for a Roof Replacement

When preparing your yard, you can also prepare your home for a roof replacement. 

Taking these steps before the work begins will keep various elements of your home protected from potential damage. 

1. Clear & protect your attic

Your attic is the closest part of your home to the roof. Roofers will be nailing materials and this can cause dust and small debris to loosen and fall. 

Remove any items of value from the attic and cover everything else with tarps or blankets to keep them clean and safe. 

2. Protect garage

If you have an attached garage, its roof will be replaced at the same time as the rest of the house. And typically, garages do not have insulation that can protect the space from falling shingle granules and debris. 

This means there is a potential for damage to anything you have stored in the garage. If you have cars, bikes, motorcycles, collectibles, or other items of value in the garage, it is a good idea to cover them with a tarp or a painters’ drop cloth. 

3. Secure windows

The last thing you need when having your roof replaced is damage to your windows. Falling debris can scratch the glass surface. It’s likely that your roofing company will put up some wood to protect the windows, but it won’t hurt for you to take some extra precautions and do it yourself. 

4. Remove wall decor

Roof replacement comes with lots of vibrations from hammering and the movement of heavy materials. 

These vibrations can very well knock things off the wall, especially on the top floor! So, to avoid damaging your wall decorations and decor, it is best to remove them before work begins. 

Remove any mirrors, pictures, loose shelves, wreaths, or wall decorations. 

5. Protect fragile items

The vibrations from a roof replacement won’t just impact items hanging on the wall. It is possible that they may cause potential problems for other fragile items like glassware and china. 

Consider removing these objects from their location and wrapping them in bubble wrap, towels, or blankets. Or, move these breakables so they are not touching one another or the wall.

After the Roof Installation is Complete

While most roof replacements steps are completed before or during the installation, there are a few things to do after work is complete. 

Your roofing company will walk you through the completed work so you know that everything that was to be done, was done. At this time, they will also explain the roof’s warranty and answer any questions you may have about the new roof or the warranty. 

The roofers will do their best to remove all debris from your property but it is a good idea to walk your yard, looking for roofing nails and other small materials that were missed. This is especially important if you have children or animals. 

what to expect when getting your roof replaced

Conclusion

If you are not a professional roofer, it is hard to know what to expect when getting your roof replaced. 

Understanding the process, as laid out above, can help you ensure the job runs smoothly and efficiently. 

Taking extra steps to prepare your yard and home will go a long way to protecting your valuables, simplifying clean up, and guaranteeing your home looks better than ever once the work has been completed.  

If you have high expectations for your roof replacement, you need to hire a company that is proficient in a range of professional roofing solutions.  

To learn more, or to receive a free quote, contact Energy Kingston Exteriors, today!