Can I Still Live in My Home While it’s Being Re-Roofed?

The short answer is yes, you can remain in your home when having your roof replaced. That said, a roof replacement involves a lot of trucks, roofers, tools, and moving parts, which can be disruptive to some families. It can take as little as one day for a simple re-roof job on a small home, right on up to several days for a more complex job on a large home.

• Your roofer in DC will let you know how long it will take when you sign a contract so you can prepare for the event.
• Because roofing jobs typically take place on work days, most people are at work or school and aren’t put out as much.
• However, if you work from home or are a stay-at-home parent with small children, the level of disruption can be higher and you may consider relocating until the job is done.

Let’s take a more in-depth look into this topic, and explore how you can prepare for a roof replacement in Virginia and beyond.

A Personal Preference

Whether you stay in your home during a re-roof is completely up to you. You technically can stay in your home while work is being done; the question is, do you want to?

Some homeowners like to stick around during the project so they can check on progress, ask questions of the roofers, and make sure it’s being properly installed. Most roofers have no problem with the homeowner being at home while they work. It may actually help, as the homeowner can direct them to anything they may need, such as power sources and the like.

1. However, the truth is, roof replacement is a loud and invasive project, resulting in a lot of noise inside the home. It could be tough to concentrate if you’re trying to work from home and conduct virtual meetings, for instance. While you may find that the noise is somewhat muffled on the first floor, it won’t be totally quiet down there.
2. In the end, it’s totally up to you if you want to stay, but many Virginia roofing contractors recommend leaving the home on the day or days of your roof replacement. Fewer people on the premises can lead to a safer work atmosphere. For instance, having small children and pets running around during the project can pose a big safety risk for everyone involved.

When roofers know they can work unencumbered, it often leads to a faster and more seamless job. You may want to consider getting out of the house, at least during working hours.

What to Do if You Decide to Stay Home

If you make the decision to stay home during the re-roof, there are some things you should do to prepare. In fact, even if you do leave the home during working hours, there are a few things you should take care of.

1. Remove Valuables on or Near Walls

Before the roofers arrive, you will want to remove valuable knick knacks and vases on mantels and shelves, as well as pictures on the wall. The vibrations that result from the roof work can affect all areas of the house, especially on or near the walls, possibly knocking things down.

2. Stay Out of the Way

Make yourself scarce during the roof replacement, which can be very messy and chaotic. This is especially so during the tear-off process. It’s difficult for crew members to see over the roof’s edge to know if someone is standing underneath. You don’t want to get hit by debris.

Your DC roofing contractor should be able to let you know beforehand the general areas to avoid while the tear-off process is going on.

3. Move Your Vehicles

Your driveway should be reserved for the roofers’ dump trucks and trailers, so be sure to move your vehicles before they arrive. If you have a car in the garage, you should move that too, especially if you think there’s a chance you may have to venture out later in the day. If not, you’ll be blocked in for the duration.

If you keep your car in the garage and then there is an emergency or if you just can’t handle the noise anymore and decide to leave, the project would have to be halted to clear the driveway of equipment, debris, and nails. This slows down everything and can delay the project overall.

4. Think About Your Kids and Pets

If you have small children or pets at home, consider how they feel about loud noises. Some children can be frightened by the noises, and many pets can get skittish. If your cats and dogs cower during fireworks or thunderstorms, there’s a good chance they won’t like the noises associated with the roofing project.

In addition, if you have a dog that tends to bark at strangers going by, you may want to bring them somewhere else for the day to avoid distressing them and others.

Book Your Roof Replacement With NVB Contracting

Here at NVB Contracting, we do all we can to make sure your roof replacement goes as seamlessly as possible. We will let you know of the timeline and expectations before beginning any job and will work with you to ensure a successful project. Contact us to schedule a roof replacement in Winchester today.