Loud noises coming from the home may increase anxiety or disturb sleep habits. While it may be exciting for your family to observe, work zones are extremely unsafe for children, pets, neighbors, and visitors. Therefore, you need to create a checklist that will help keep everybody safe.
Talk to Your Children
Talk with your kids to explain that certain areas of the home or yard will be off-limits until the project is complete. Since young children and pets may not understand these dangers, you may be more comfortable visiting family or friends while your roof is replaced.
Relocate Your Vehicles
Contractors need quick access to their tools and trucks throughout the day. They need a place to load shingles and debris. You’ll want to keep your vehicles a safe distance from this area until work is completed. You should also keep your garage doors closed during construction to keep out dust and debris.
Remove Wall Decorations
The vibrations from hammers and machinery on your roof may travel through some walls of your home, especially if repairs to the existing deck are needed. Walk through the rooms on the level below your roof. Consider any knick-knacks, pictures, or other items that are hanging from your ceiling or walls.
As a precaution, remove any decorations that aren’t permanently secured with screws.
You may also choose to remove decorative light fixtures like chandeliers to play it safe.
Cover Items in the Attic
During a roof replacement, numerous installers will be walking on your roof, pounding it with hammers. Dust or small debris will fall in attic spaces during a new roof installation.
You can keep personal items cleaner by covering them with old sheets or drop cloths until the roofing company is finished. Be prepared to do some light vacuuming in these areas after construction is complete.
Move Grills and Patio Furniture
A shed or garage is the best place to store outside items like grills, patio furniture, lawn ornaments, and potted plants while your new roof is installed. If you don’t have on-site storage, you may want to put these items together in an area of the yard that is a safe distance from the work zone. Keep in mind that most contractors will not help you move any personal items inside or outside the home.
Prune Trees and Cut the Grass
Any tree branches that hang low near your roof will need to be trimmed before your contractor can begin work. Your contractor should use drop cloths to protect plants and grass in the immediate perimeter of your home, but you need to cut grass a day before construction begins.
Short grass will help keep fallen debris from hiding in your lawn, making cleanup faster and more thorough.
Remove Antennas and Satellite Dishes
If you have any antennas or satellite dishes located on or very near your roof, you’ll want to have them removed. Call your cable or satellite provider to make arrangements before roof work begins. If it is an old, non-working unit, most roofing contractors will be happy to remove and dispose of it for you.
Talk to Your Neighbors
Let your neighbors know about the planned work. Give them an anticipated timeframe for the duration. They will thank you! This will give them an opportunity to adjust their schedules and situations so that they can be most comfortable while the work is going on.
Professional Roofers in Minneapolis, Minnesota
If you are getting ready to launch your roofing project, then contact Intelligent Design. We can help you with all your roofing needs here in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
To schedule a consultation with an Intelligent Design contractor, call us at 763-315-0745.
