How to Prepare for a Re-Roofing Project

MONTEREY — A residential re-roofing project is no walk in the park—in fact, it can be tantamount to experiencing a mild earthquake. For this reason, it’s important to consider several aspects when preparing for a re-roofing project.

Ensure the safety of your children and pets. The presence of workers on your roof can cause a lot of noise and vibrations, which is why many homeowners opt to stay at hotels and check their pets into kennels for the duration of their re-roofing projects. If you decide to stay at home during the job, warn your children to be careful and avoid work areas where there may be falling debris. Also, it’s a good idea to collaborate with your contractor to make the jobsite as safe as possible for all parties.

Make sure your indoor and outdoor possessions are protected. Put away or stabilize fragile items that are hanging on walls, as vibrations from the work can cause these to fall. Likewise, items stored in your attic or garage should be covered or removed to avoid being damaged by falling debris.

Consider the presence of dust. Due to the intensive nature of re-roofing, dust can be an issue if it’s not adequately addressed. If your home has open-beam or cathedral-style ceilings, it may be particularly vulnerable to vibrations, which can result in additional dust and falling debris. In this case, make sure your contractor adequately covers your home’s interior in order to minimize the clean-up afterward.

Overall, the most important aspect of preparing for a re-roofing project is to be proactive. Prior to the job, facilitate a walkthrough with your contractor and take note of areas in your home that may be of concern or require extra protection. By taking preparatory measures, you can avoid surprises on the day of the job.