Home maintenance requires a lot of time and effort. It often takes up a large portion of our bank balance.
In this regard, a roof replacement is one of the more common home renovation projects that can take place. This is because of the wear and tear and damage roofs can experience during harsh weather conditions. Many homeowners know all the tips and tricks needed to ensure a stress-free and great roof replacement experience.
However, if you are new and never had a roof on a home replaced and you are wondering or concerned about staying home, or maybe you are asking yourself if leaving during the process is a better idea to avoid all the noise and chaos of construction. Let’s discuss this more.
You want to be prepared and well-equipped for anything and everything. The answer to whether you should stay home or not during a roof replacement entirely depends on you. There is no right or wrong answer here. Many homeowners choose to stay at home and keep a lookout for the process, while others will leave and go to a temporary location. Whatever the case may be, the preference is on you.
If you do plan on staying at home, there are a few aspects that you should keep in mind. Here are some of them that can help reduce the discomfort from the noise and influx of crew members.
The Roof Replacement Projects Can Get Loud
If there are elderly or young people in your home, consider how they will cope with the loud noise from hammering on the roof. If you have a two-story house, the noise is quieter. Otherwise, you'll hear constant banging from morning till evening.
This also goes for pets, most cats and dogs are afraid of loud noises and there is a high risk of them running away as well. If you plan to stay home it would be advisable for you to send them away for a few days. But if you live alone and are out of the house for most of the day because of work, then you should be fine. All in all, analyze the number of people in your home, their presence, and preferences.
Watch Out for Flying Debris While Leaving Your Home
As the old roof gets torn off, a lot of debris and material can fall to the ground. Because of this, you will want to be extra careful when going to or leaving your home. The workers on the roof often can’t see over the edge while they are working. To stay safe, follow these measures: use designated walking paths and avoid standing under gutters. This also extends to your kids who like to play outdoors in the evening.
Additionally, by staying in touch with your roofing contractor, you can let them know to be cautious and pause the work until you are in a safe area. If this is something you’re comfortable doing, then staying home shouldn’t be so bad after all.
Protect Your Landscaping and Outdoor Furniture
Protecting your flowerbeds, lawn, and patio are on the list as well. A lot of roofing debris can come falling down and potentially damage your landscape. This even goes for your swimming pool. The waste may end up in your filter and cause the propellers to get damaged. For this, ensuring that an angled tarp is tied from the roof edge to the ground to cover your foliage and pool is important.
While most contractors are mindful of doing this, others may not cater to it unless specified by you. If you choose to stay at home, you can keep a close lookout for your foliage and landscape as the roof replacement process progresses. Especially if a well-kept patio and landscaping are the highlight of your home.
Utilization of Your Parking Space
If you have more than one car, parking in your driveway may be an issue. Most contractors and service providers place their materials and park their vehicles on the driveway. This helps give the crew easy access to the tools and equipment they need.
Thus if you plan on staying home, you might have to figure out where to park your cars. In addition, you will also have to be careful not to have your car get blocked by your local contractor before the work begins. This might add to the timeline as everything will have to be cleared out of the way for you to get your car out.
How Long is the Roof Replacement Going to Take?
You may want to ask your local roofing contractor, "How many days or weeks is the roof replacement going to take to complete?" Prior to you making your final decision. A residential shingle reroof may only take 1 to 3 days unless your home is extremely difficult or larger than an average home.
Whereas a specialty roof replacement, such as a standing seam metal roof, a real slate roof or wood shingle roof, or a Spanish tile or synthetic roof system will take much longer to complete. These roofs often take weeks or even months in some cases depending on the complexity of the roof.
It's best for you to get all the information upfront. Then you can make the best decision for you and your family when it comes to staying home or leaving for the entire duration of your roof replacement.
To Staying Home or Not During Your Roof Replacement
Speak to your local contractor and ask them what they would advise on. This can further help clarify things for you, making your decision easier and the right one for you.
If you plan to stay home during the roof replacement, it can be more beneficial than moving out. This is especially true if you have an eye for perfection and like to oversee the entire process and be kept in the loop. However, if you do opt to leave temporarily, there is no harm in that either. Most contractors are professional and trustworthy. They are sure to get the job done perfectly and make the investment worth it.
Next, check out our article: "The 9-Step Process of Your Roof Replacement" to understand each step of your roofing project. Or check out any of our other roofing resources in our learning center below.
