“Hey Vern,
We live in a house with the same asphalt roof since it’s construction in the 70’s. We’ve noticed rot in the shingles and the padding has worn down. During heavy rain, water’s started leaking into our attic.
It’s definitely time for a new roof. The sooner we can get started on it, the better.
Here’s the thing: I don’t want to interfere with the kids’ schoolwork, now that they’re working from home. We just can’t interrupt their schedule for weeks at a time to put a new roof on.
Should we hold out until the summer before starting on construction and risk the spring storms?
Thanks,
Shannon from Pottsville, PA”
That’s a great question!
With little ones of our own running around, I understand the concern. You don’t want to disrupt their school days, but it also sounds like your roof is in bad shape.
If you have water coming into your attic, you need to act fast. Water damage spreads quickly. With every storm that comes through, you’re opening your home to the risk of expensive — and intrusive — repairs.
The good news is replacing a roof doesn’t take long, and isn’t an intrusive project.
In fact, typical asphalt shingle replacements can be done in just 2-3 days. Depending on your roof’s underlayment, our crew can replace your roof without causing significant disruption to your daily activities.
Let’s look at what a normal roof replacement looks like- and how it could impact your day to day work at home.
A Quick Installation
Shannon, you mentioned that your kids are doing school from home. You’re right- roofing replacement is a loud job. If you have a single story home, that means you’re going to hear our crew walking, moving materials, and using tools no matter where you are in your house.
If you have a multi-story home and a finished basement, your kids might be able to study from home without distraction. But, sometimes the excitement of having something “new” happening at home is distraction even with noise control. If you want your kids to have the best for study time, it’s a good idea to take them to a friend or family member’s home for the day.
The same with pets. It’s a good idea to keep them out of the home too. If your dog is stressed by thunderstorms- the sound of people walking on your roof is also going to cause anxiety.
Important: If you do decide to keep pets at home during your roof replacement- they need to be kenneled or locked in a secure area before our crew arrives. Our crew moves fast, and we can’t be responsible for furry loved-ones getting out during the excitement.
But here’s the good news: an average asphalt shingle roof replacement only takes a couple days.
Here are a few factors to think about:
How To Choose the Fastest Roof Replacement
There are a few factors that affect construction time:
- What type of roof is being installed? Our expert crew can install asphalt and metal roofs fast. On the other hand, slate and wooden roofs can take closer to a week to install. (Need help choosing your roofing materials? Check out our ultimate roofing guide!)
- What’s the weather forecast? The best time to install a roof is when it’s over 40 degrees outside. Yes, you can install a roof when it’s cold out, but it takes more time for prep and installation. The good news? With the weather in the 50’s and 60’s this week, it’s the perfect time to replace your roof!
- How big is your house? The larger the roof, the more time it can take to replace it. The average roof is about 1,700 square feet. If your roof is much larger, it may take a few more days to get the job done.
So, no more worrying about having to stay in a hotel for a week. By booking your roof replacement before it becomes a major repair, you’ll only need to adjust your schedule 2-3 days. And, let’s face it, the change of scenery might even be a nice treat from being cooped up this winter!
Your next question: what do you, as a homeowner, need to do to prepare for a new roof?
The answer: Not much! Thankfully, this is an exterior project that won’t interfere with the inside of your home. There are just a few things we ask of homeowners before the crew arrives…
Prepping Your Home… and Yard
Don’t worry, there’s no need to clean your living room! Our crew won’t need access to the inside of your home to replace your roof.
However, there are a few steps you can take to guarantee your interior is ready for the project:
- Move valuables out of your attic and cover other belongings in plastic sheets.
- Take down any fragile decorations from your walls
- And, if you do use your attic for storage be prepared for a little dust!
Easy, right?
Let’s walk outside.
This is important: Before our crew arrives, you MUST clear your yard.
If your yard is like ours, everytime the snow melts it leaves behind some debris. Branches, rocks, toys, trash….all of this can make replacing a roof more difficult for our crew. Plus, it’s important to us to leave our worksites clean.
By cleaning up and cutting the grass before construction, we can make sure we don’t leave any potential hazards in your yard while we’re on the job.
Move yard toys and cars inside the garage to give us the room we need to work fast and safe.
Don’t worry about cleanup after the job. Keeping your house and family safe is a top priority, and our team will take care of keeping your yard clear of debris.
Getting Started on Your New Roof
The best time to replace your roof is when you’re ready for it. You know your family’s schedule best and, once your materials have arrived from our manufacturer, we can schedule a time that works for you to install your new roof.
Whether you wait until summer, or get started now, our team is happy to help. Give us a call at 570-345-0406, and we can talk more about your roof replacement.
Talk soon,
Vern
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