Having a roof replaced is a big deal both financially and logistically. Many people dread the process for these reasons, but roof replacements are critical to keeping your home in the best shape possible and safe for you and your loved ones. Roof Work should never be delayed as it can only make things worse.
With such a big project, there is sure to be a lot of debris and mess. The right roofing company will ensure that none of this debris remains once they are done, and they will actively keep your property clean in the process. Today we will be talking about how roofing companies should properly keep your property clean during a roof replacement. That way, you know what to look for when hiring a roofer and during the construction itself.
At Liberty Roofworks we believe that all homeowners have the right to be informed about the roofing process so that they can make the best-informed decisions for their homes. That is why we created our Learning Hub. Each week we post new roofing-related content on a wide variety of different areas of roofing. Check it out to learn more about roof replacements and what is to be expected of a quality roofer.
Keeping the ground clean
Any reputable roofing company will do its very best to keep the ground as clean as possible. This means that very little debris should ever intentionally hit the ground, and if it does it should be disposed of in a timely manner.
Ideally, debris and old roofing materials should always be thrown directly into the dumpster or whatever disposal system they have in place. It is also common for roofers to lay out tarps around the job site to help catch any loose nails or debris. Tarps make it much easier for both cleanup and to make sure that no nails or loose pieces are left behind in the grass.
Normally a roofing construction crew is made up of multiple people, each with their own specific jobs to do. This usually includes people who are on the roof doing the tear-off and installing the new roof and at least one person on the ground. The ground crew’s job is to make sure everything stays clean on that level. This means they spend the majority of their time throwing old roofing materials and debris into the dumpster and grabbing these things from those who are on the roof.
Keeping the ground as clean as possible is extremely important for safety reasons. Loose nails can be a hazard to both humans and pets, and the same goes for wood or other sharp-edged objects. If your roofing company throws all of their trash down from the roof onto your property with no system in place, that is not the best roofer to have. The cleanup process does not begin at the end of the replacement. Instead, they should be cleaning up as they go.
Cleaning the new roof
Once a new roof is installed there will likely be dust and debris throughout the roof and on the shingles. Roofing companies should clean all of this off before they leave by either using a blower or some other method. The same goes for gutters. Gutters tend to collect stray pieces of roofing material and nails throughout the replacement process. Good roofing companies will be sure to clean your gutters out before leaving your home.
The goal is for them to leave the job site in the condition it was when they found it. As a homeowner, if you go outside to any leftover debris or even damage to things such as your driveway or sidewalk then you need to contact the company.
Making sure all nails are picked up
This step is so incredibly important. Stray nails are very dangerous and can lead to serious injury if they are stepped on. Once the rest of the debris is picked up and disposed of, all roofing companies should have some method in place for searching for stray nails.
Some companies have multiple contractors physically walk around and search for any stray nails on the property. Other companies use tools such as intense magnets to pick up any loose metals. Whatever method your roofing company uses is great as long as they double and triple-check their work. Searching the property for any loose debris or nails should be the very last step a roofing company does.
Wrapping it up
Not every roofing company will follow these exact steps word for word, but they should have a similar system in place. As long as they work to actively keep the job site as clean as possible throughout the entire process you should be more than fine.
If you have never worked with a roofing company before, it never hurts to reach out to them and ask what their cleanup system is like. Any reputable roofing company would be more than happy to answer your questions and make sure you are comfortable. There is a lot that goes into roofing and cleanup is a huge part of that. We hope that you now have a better understanding of what a proper cleanup process should consist of.
We are here to help!
At Liberty Roofworks we understand how important a roof is to your home. We also know how important it is to trust your roofer’s ability to provide quality work and customer support. That is why we work to keep each and every one of our customers well-informed throughout the entire roofing process. Customer satisfaction is our top priority and we are happy to answer any questions you may have.
We are a family-owned and operated business with over twenty years of professional roofing experience under our belts, and that number just keeps rising. With us, a high-quality clean-up is guaranteed with not only each roof replacement but any of our services.
Aside from roof replacements we also do roof repairs, inspections, and almost any other roofing service you will ever need. All of our roofers are professionally trained, experienced, and are also both licensed and insured.
Are you in need of a roof replacement or additional roof work? Contact us and we will gladly send out one of our roofers to perform an inspection and walk through the replacement process with you. With us, roofing is easy!
Frequently Asked Questions about Roof Replacements
We understand that the world of roofing can seem rather confusing at times and it’s perfectly normal to have some questions in mind. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions we get surrounding roof replacements. If your question is still not answered please contact us and we will happily answer it for you!
Q: How long does a roof replacement take?
A: A roof replacement can take anywhere from two all the way to five days to complete on average. This number can change depending on what type of roof you have, the weather, the size of your roof, and how complex the replacement will be. To get a better idea of how long your roof replacement may take, we suggest having an inspection done and asking for your roofer’s opinion.
Q: Do I need to leave my house when my roof is being replaced?
A: Not at all! Any professional roofing company will keep the job site both clean and safe so that it will not interfere with your day-to-day life in the slightest. With that being said, mistakes happen and it is always best to keep children and pets off of the lawn and areas surrounding the house until the job is complete.
Q: Will my roofer clean up after they are finished with the replacement?
A: Yes, or at least they should. Any reputable and professional roofing company will make sure to clean up all of their mess and leave your home the way it was when they arrived. To ensure a quality roof installation and cleanup it is best to read the roofer’s reviews. We also recommend calling the roofer ahead of time and asking about their cleanup process just for ease of mind.
Q: When is the best time to have my roof replaced?
A: Technically you can have your roof replaced at any time. However, the fall is considered to be the most ideal time to do so. The fall months tend to have the most consistent type of weather. You are more likely to run into weather-related issues during the other seasons which can delay the roofing process.
Q: Will my gutters be safe during a roof replacement?
A: Yes they should. Any professional roofing company will take the proper precautions to keep your gutters safe and free of damage. This includes using a tarp to protect them as well as being cautious throughout the roof replacement process. Roofing companies should also clean your gutters out, removing any debris that was collected during the process before leaving your home.