Prepare for a Roof Replacement in Orlando: 10 Practical Tips
Getting a new roof is an incredible long-term investment for your entire family, as it will make your home a much safer and more functional place to live. If you’ve already arranged all the details with your roofing company, and now you’re just waiting for the contractors to arrive, you probably think there isn’t much left to do on your part.
However, there are several things you can do to make the roof replacement go smoothly and efficiently. It’s always a good idea to make sure that both the interior and exterior of your home are ready, as it will ensure that the project is completed successfully.
Read on to find out which steps to take when preparing your Orlando home for a roof replacement.
Getting Your Home’s Exterior Ready
Considering that your home is about to be a worksite, it’s recommended to prepare the exterior and surroundings to prevent any unwanted injuries and to make room for the contractors. Here’s how to do that.
1. Move Your Vehicles
Removing your vehicles from the driveway and the garage is vital for two reasons. Firstly, it will ensure that the roofers have enough space for their trucks, equipment, and for dumpsters where they put away the leftover materials and the debris. And secondly, it will keep your own vehicles safe and out of harm’s way.
2. Clear the Surrounding Area (Yard and Patio)
This is an essential part, as well as a safety precaution, as it will help avoid the contractors tripping over your bikes, outside furniture, or perhaps your children’s toys. For this reason, make it a point to clear the area and put everything away somewhere safe where it can’t get broken.
3. Cut the Grass and the Trees
Cutting the grass will go a long way in helping you clean up the outside area much faster and more easily once the contractors have left your home. Apart from that, cutting the nearby tree branches will ensure that the roofers have clear and safe access to the roof, without any long branches making it difficult to reach certain areas.
4. Remove Satellite Dishes and Antennas
Even though roofers usually remove the satellite dishes and/or antennas themselves, you can have them removed before, especially if you don’t use them anymore. After the project is done, simply call your cable provider to reinstall it if needed, preferably on a pole near the house, as opposed to the roof itself.
Getting the Interior of Your Home Ready
We understand that there won’t be any work inside your home, but it’s still important to prep the interior, as it will help you avoid excessive dirt, debris, and possible damages. Here’s what you can do.
5. Clear Out Your Attic
Since your attic is located directly beneath your roof, there will probably be some debris and vibrations due to the hammering. This is why we encourage you to move any valuable objects out of the attic and cover everything else up with a tarp or an old sheet that you no longer use.
6. Remove Everything from Your Walls
As mentioned before, a roof replacement process includes some vibrations, which can affect your walls, especially those on top floors. Therefore, make sure to take all objects and decorations off the walls and keep them somewhere safe for the duration of the roof replacement.
7. Secure the Windows
To protect your windows from getting scratched or damaged, the smartest thing to do is to board them up until the project has finished, or at least until your old roof has been completely torn off. It’s always best to play it safe.
8. Keep Fragile Items Protected
Do you keep any fragile objects around the house? Things like plates, glasses, vases, or any other objects that are easily breakable? If so, they should be kept away from the walls, so make sure that they aren’t touching any walls or each other.
Preparing the Residents
While we always try to cause minimum disturbance for the homeowners, it can’t be denied that a roof replacement can sometimes be a bit loud or stressful. Here’s what we suggest that you consider.
9. Do You Want to Stay or Temporarily Relocate?
Depending on the nature of the project, as well as the size of your home’s roof, the job can take between one to several days. Therefore, you should consider whether you’d like to stay in the house despite the possible disruption or simply relocate for a few days to a friend’s or family member’s place.
10. Prepare Your Children and Pets
If you have young children or perhaps pets, the best thing to do is to arrange for them to stay at a family member’s home, as a roof replacement can prove to be a bit stressful for them. But if you decide that they should stay regardless, be sure to keep them inside and as far away from the worksite as possible.
Conclusion
To make your Orlando roof replacement go as smoothly as possible, simply follow our advice and be sure to always take the mentioned safety precautions. That way, your belongings will remain unscathed, your family safe and protected, and the cleanup process will be much easier.
At R&C Roofing and Construction, we always make it a point to ensure a stress-free roofing experience for our homeowners. We hold high standards of cleanliness and organization, as we want to leave you with as little work as possible after our crew has left your home.
Contact your best roofing company Orlando for a smooth, efficient, and stress-free roof replacement today, and we will help you make an informed decision that will benefit your home in the long run.