Your roof is designed to withstand extreme weather conditions to protect the inside of your home. However, over time your roof tiles may start to crack or loosen. That’s when you should consider a company that specialises in roof repairs Melbourne residents trust.
Before your roof repairman arrives, you’ll need to prepare your home to protect items from damage and to ensure there are no obstructions that could hinder the process. In this post, we’ve provided a short guide on how to prepare your home before roof repairs so everything runs smoothly.
Prepare Your Front and Back Yard
During roof repairs there may be some debris like broken tiles falling from the roof. What’s more, repairs can cause dust and other dirt to form around your home. Some tips to manage this:
– Ideally, you must cover your plants or hedges with cheesecloth or thick tarp.
– Place plastic sheeting on the ground around your home to protect your patio or grass.
– You should also trim the grass so you can easily detect shingle pieces or nails that fall from the roof when your contractors complete the job.
– Trim any trees hanging over your roof to make it easier for the repair man to work.
Clear the Driveway the Night Before
If you have a garage, we recommend parking your car inside to ensure it doesn’t get damaged during roof repairs. You could cover it with a tarp outside, but heavy tiles or tools could fall from the roof and break your car’s windows or dent it.
Without proper cover available, it’s best to park your car at least 10 to 15 meters away from the house. Also remove any items from the driveway that could get damaged such as tools, toys, potted plants or car parts.
Remove Satellites or Antennas from the Roof
Antennas and satellites may be in the roof repairman’s way when working. Rather remove these fixtures, especially if you’re doing a complete roof repair or if you’re painting it. If you’re not sure how to dismantle the satellite or antennas you can contact your service provider to assist you. Or you can ask the roof repairmen to temporarily dismantle fixtures from the top of your roof and place it safely on the side while they work.
Remove Hanging Lights or Ornaments
Roof repairs can create a lot of vibration which can cause ornaments or loose-fitting lights to fall or break. Before your contractor arrives, remove all hanging ornaments and lights inside and outside of your home to prevent breakages.
You can place all your items in a safe space and cover them with plastic. This will also give you an opportunity to dust ornaments before you hang them back up.
Protect Your Windows
Accidents can happen when fixing roofs. Tools, heavy cables and debris can fall and crack your windows. Dust can also settle on your windows making them dirty. All the windows should be covered with a thick tarp to prevent breakage and plan for a cleaning session once all the work is done.
Remove or Cover Fragile Items
If you have fixed items around your home that you can’t move, like large and heavy pots or cement or stone sculptures, you can cover them with bubble wrap. Simply wrap these items two to three times with bubble wrap and secure the plastic with tape or rope.
You should also remove outdoor light bulbs and cover items inside your kitchen such as glass cupboards and tables. If you store items in your roof, it’s best to remove them from the area while the contractors complete the repairs.
Keep Children and Pets Indoors
Children and pets may be a distraction while the roof repair company is working. Furthermore, your pets and children can get injured from falling debris if they run around near the house.
It’s best to keep your little ones, dogs and cats safely inside until the roof repairs have been completed. You could also take your children and pets to the park for the day to keep them busy if you think they’ll get bored staying inside.
Just make sure there’s someone at the house to assist the repairman if he needs assistance with anything.
Don’t Forget to Inform Your Neighbours
Most neighbours don’t like the sound of drilling and banging, especially if they’re working at home or it’s over the weekend. Be sure to inform your neighbours that you’ve hired a company to repair your roof and let them know how long it will take for the job to be completed.
Your neighbours will appreciate the consideration and they’ll also have time to prepare their own homes—and for the noise they might need to endure.
Final Thoughts
Doing any form of repairs or renovations on your home can be a stressful task, especially if you have children and pets. However, repairing your roof is crucial to prevent damage to your home during storms. Repairs can also ensure the longevity of your roof, prevent pest infestations and mould growth.
So, if you’ve hired a company to fix your roof, use this guide to help you prepare your home for the task so that your belongings don’t get damaged in the process.