Different home improvement projects have their unique benefits and can add to your ROI if you plan on selling the property down the road. Some projects, such as a roof replacement project, promise homeowners more comfort in extreme weather conditions and protection against natural disasters. Whether you’re dealing with an aging roof or just looking to boost your home’s exterior, this process will go smoothly with proper planning and preparation. If you live in Atlanta, Georgia, a city known for its heavy rainfall and muggy summers, it’s time you replace your worn-out roof.
July is the hottest month in Atlanta and also the one with the most rainfall. The Big A is also vulnerable to tornadoes, hurricanes, hailstorms, and widows. A brand-new roof will shelter you from bad weather. That’s why you should consider replacing your roof this summer just by following these easy suggestions:
1. Inspect your property properly
Inspect your property carefully before hiring roofing contractors. Check for any damage to your house and take pictures when the roof replacement process hasn’t begun. Taking pictures will help you brainstorm over what needs to be done and will also serve as compelling before-and-after shots to show off.
2. Hire reliable and experienced roofers
Work with dependable, experienced contractors to ensure a smooth roof replacement process. A local roofing company understands the toll extreme weather conditions can have on your house and its structural integrity. For instance, Atlanta has 3.8 months of summer, lasting from May to September. The days are muggy 86% of the time, which can significantly decrease an average roof’s lifespan.
That’s why you should hire trustworthy roofing companies in Atlanta who can inspect your property to give you a well-researched estimate. With more than 30-year-long experience repairing and replacing roofs in Atlanta, local roofers know how to make your roof safer, stronger, and long-lasting. Also, professional roofers will use quality roofing materials.
3. Remove antennas and dishes
Remove antennas, satellite dishes, and other installations on your roof before the roofers arrive. Talk to your service providers so they’ll remove the antenna for you and reinstall it after the new roof has been placed on the house. Moreover, some roofers can help you remove and reinstall the antenna for a modest sum. Or, you may want to replace your old-fashioned antenna with the old roof too.
4. Take things off the wall
It’s time for all those wall decorations to come down and go into storage. Installing a new roof will send vibrations resonating throughout the home’s structure, especially when your roofers use the hand-nailing method and power tools for cutting and drilling holes. These vibrations can easily knock stuff down the walls and your family portraits or other expensive decorations will get damaged.
Take your valuables off the wall and put them somewhere safe until the job is done and your new roof has been installed.
5. Clear out your yard carefully
A cluttered and badly-kept yard will only inconvenience the roofers and contractors. You may consider decluttering and reorganizing the yard/patio by removing your pots, grills, or furniture. For the roofers, your yard is just another workplace. You should make this workplace a safe work environment and protect your patio furniture from damage too.
Moreover, use this opportunity to cut the grass, prune the trees, and remove any obstructions to the roof. It’ll make picking up debris from the yard easier after the roofers are finished.
6. Move your vehicle down the curb
Park your cars elsewhere, as the roofers will be using your garage for now. There will be a dump truck on your driveway, and your contractors may arrive at the location in their vehicles.
7. Protect your stuff in the attic
Nothing is more vulnerable to damage during a roof replacement project than the things stored in the attic. Many workers will be walking on your roof, causing small and large pieces of debris to fall on your belongings, including your valuables. That’s why you need to cover your belongings under some sheets, drop clothes, or other protective gear. A little vacuuming will be needed after the roofers are gone.
8. Identify different power outlets
The roofers will plug in different machines when replacing your outdated roof. Make sure the roofers have easy access to electrical outlets on your property. Exterior outlets are preferred as the contractors will be working outside. However, garage outlets will be their second-best choice if outside power sources aren’t available.
If there aren’t any outlets in your garage either and the roofers have to use interior electrical outlets, ensure they have enough extension cords to get power outside.
9. Inform your neighbors about it
Don’t forget about your neighbors when installing a new roof. Let them know you intend to put a new roof on your house, which may take more than a week. Give your neighbors enough time to prepare for the upcoming disturbance, adjust their schedules, and learn to tolerate this noisy situation. That’s how you can limit the number of complaints coming from angry neighbors.
10. Leave your home temporarily
Typically, a roof replacement can last anywhere from a single day to twelve days, based on the age of your roof and different other factors. It can be noisy, annoying, and extremely disturbing for your loved ones to live in the house when a new roof is being added.
Consider leaving the house temporarily with your family and living elsewhere for a few days. You can take a few days off work and turn this time-out into a family vacation. Be sure to communicate with the roofers while you’re gone.
Conclusion
If you are considering replacing your roof this summer, follow the guidelines mentioned here. It’s important to ensure minimal disruption during the project and protect your family’s comfort. Hire a local, reliable contractor to work on your roof and inspect your property before the roofers start work. Remove wall decorations, parked vehicles, and roof-mounted antennas when your roof gets replaced.
