Whether your roof is succumbing to old age or suffered catastrophic damage during a storm, a new roof replacement is a fantastic way to keep your home safe and dry. The investment you make will serve you for decades to come with the proper maintenance, but a great roof installation relies both on the company installing it and how you prepare for a roof replacement.
Clean Your Attic
While you don’t need to clean up every box like guests are coming, you should remove or cover any valuable items that are in your attic. Even though our team will take precautions to not make any excessive dust or debris, the roof replacement process involves walking on top of your roof, using hammers on the roof and placing pressure on the roof. This can inevitably make small debris and dust fall into your attic, so any uncovered items may have dust on them when the process is done. A little bit of time while you prepare for a roof replacement can keep your attic in excellent condition.
Move Your Cars
Are there any cars in your driveway? It’s a good idea to move your vehicles onto the street so that the trucks can get close to your home and be easily accessible to the roofing professionals installing your new roof. When you take this step to prepare for a roof replacement, it also ensures that your vehicles will be a safe distance away from any dust or debris getting kicked up.
Trim the Trees
If there are any low-hanging branches or branches hanging over your roof, they should be trimmed before the roof replacement project begins. Our team will always protect the grass and plants directly around the home, but it’s a good idea to take care of all major pruning and trimming by yourself ahead of time.
Keep Your Pets and Kids Safe
Pets and children can easily become hazards and get injured whenever construction is taking place, so when you prepare for a roof replacement you should also arrange for them to be in a safe part of the home and not in the attic or outside. If your pet is easily stressed by noise, plan on putting them in a more isolated part of the house or sending them to doggy daycare for the day to keep them calm and comfortable.
Clear the Walls
You don’t need to remove everything from your walls to prepare for a roof replacement, but it’s a good idea to remove anything fragile or valuable from the walls. During the installation, hammers and machines will be vibrating on your roof. Sometimes, these vibrations can travel to the walls and shake or jostle picture frames. Out of an abundance of caution, it’s a great idea to take down any picture frames or hanging decorations that are not secured directly to the wall with screws. For rooms further away from the roof, like the basement, this should not be necessary.
Remove Your Satellite Dishes and Antennas
If you have satellite television or use antennas that are placed on or around your roof, they should be removed before installation. Check with your internet or cable provider to determine the best way to remove the antenna and have it re-installed on or near the new roof. This prevents any damage to your device and makes sure that our installers can focus on installing a high-quality roof and not working around obstacles.
Tidy Up the Deck and Porch
Finally, you should also take the time to remove or move outdoor items that are on your porch and deck. Patio furniture, grills, lawn ornaments, plants and other objects can make it difficult for installers to maneuver around your home. Ladders will also need to be utilized, and you don’t want any of your things to be in the way! If you can, put these items in the garage, in a secure storage shed or in another part of your yard.
Prepare for a Roof Replacement with Help from Benchmark Roofers
Benchmark Roofers is proud to serve homeowners throughout the state of Maryland in need of high-quality roofing and repairs. Our team of professionals specializes in installing new roofs and roof replacements that offer decades of durability and keep your family safe and dry. We can custom design your roof replacement to perfectly match the old roof or update your home to something new.
Beyond our roof replacement and repair offerings, we can help you cross home improvement projects off your to-do list, including door replacement, gutter replacement, siding replacement, window replacement and roof repair. For a free roof inspection to determine if you need a roof replacement, call us today at (443) 454-1293 or submit the brief contact form below.
