Whether you need nothing more than a few shingles replaced or you are having a new roof installed, roofing projects can occasionally cause damage to other parts of your home. Unless, that is, you prepare carefully and take a few steps to prevent these kinds of headaches.
We’ll share some of the best ways to protect your home while having roofing work carried out below, so your project will proceed smoothly, and you’ll avoid any unnecessary surprises.
1. Partner with a reputable roofing contractor.
Nothing protects your home during a roofing project more effectively than choosing the right contractor. Contractors who are dedicated to getting the job done correctly and maintaining a good reputation will take the steps necessary to protect your home, landscaping, and belongings throughout the project.
As a bonus, working with a high-quality contractor means you’re likely to be happier with the results of the project.
2. Move anything valuable away from your home.
After choosing the right contractor, the second-best thing you can do to protect your home during a roofing project is to simply move anything that may be damaged out of harm’s way. This includes everything from patio furniture to grills to bird feeders.
And don’t forget your vehicles! Be sure to park all vehicles at a safe distance from your house, as this will not only protect them but also provide the roofing contractor with better access to the work site.
3. Cover immovable outdoor items.
You probably won’t be able to move every important, fragile, or valuable item away from your home; you certainly aren’t going to uproot your tulip bed or transport heavy cement decorations to the other side of your property. So, do what you can to protect these items.
A simple piece of plywood will protect most things from the weight of a few shingles or a dropped hand tool, though you may need to use some cinder blocks or sawhorses to support it above the object you’re protecting.
4. Walk your home’s perimeter with the contractor.
After moving or protecting everything you can, walk around your house with the lead roofer or project manager and point out everything that remains vulnerable to damage. This will help ensure the team provides the additional care needed to avoid damaging anything valuable or special to you.
For example, be sure that the team understands where your AC unit is located, as well as things like EV charging stations and light fixtures.
5. Document your home before the work starts.
Always be sure to walk around your home and take photos or videos of its condition before the work starts. While this step won’t actually help protect your home from damage, it’ll be very helpful if something does go wrong and you find yourself negotiating with a contractor or insurance company.
While you needn’t obtain professional-caliber images or video, it is important that you can see everything clearly, and that the subject matter is both in focus and well-lit.
6. Remove art, photographs, or other wall decorations.
Understand that it isn’t only the things outside your house that may suffer damage during roof work — some of the items inside your home will also be vulnerable during the project. This is especially true of the things on your walls, as the vibration created by the work may cause them to fall.
So, temporarily pull anything fragile from your walls and just rehang your photos, art, and other decorations once the project is complete.
7. Place a tarp over items in your attic.
In some cases, roof work will include upgrades or repairs to your roof deck, which will leave the contents of your attic vulnerable. Most high-quality roofing contractors will be careful during this part of the project, but dust will inevitably be stirred up and drift down onto your belongings.
So, take 15 minutes to climb up into your attic and cover all of your items with a plastic tarp. It’s a simple step that can help you avoid a lot of unnecessary cleanup.
8. Confirm your contractor’s rain contingency plan.
Even the best roofing contractors are at the mercy of Mother Nature, and rain can always cause unforeseen delays. There’s nothing you can do about this except to verify that your contractor has a solid plan in place for dealing with inclement weather.
For example, will the contractor be prepared to apply tarps across your roof in the event of rain? Will rain delays significantly alter the timeline of your project? How long after the rain stops will it take for the work to resume?
Professional contractors should be able to answer all of these questions quickly and easily.
9. Perform a “magnet sweep” after the project is complete.
Once your roof has been repaired or replaced, it’s a good idea to use a strong magnet to help collect any nails (or other metal hardware) missed during the cleanup process. You can purchase a rolling magnet designed specifically for this purpose, but a strong neodymium magnet tied to a string will work in a pinch.
Some roofing contractors do this themselves as a matter of practice, but it never hurts to carry out a backup sweep yourself — you’ll wish you did if you step on a nail while walking barefoot in your yard. Start by simply walking around the perimeter of your house, as most of the nails should be within about 10 feet of the roof. However, you’ll also want to drag the magnet around your driveway to prevent tire punctures.
Trust Schoenherr Roofing for Your Home Exterior Needs
Choosing Schoenherr Roofing for your next project means the work will be done right — and that your home will be protected throughout the process. It also means you can rest assured the job will be completed with the craftsmanship and attention to detail you deserve.
As a community staple for more than 30 years, Schoenherr Roofing has built a reputation for being the leading contractor in Michigan (and we have the reviews to show for it). Contact us today to discuss your roofing needs or schedule your free estimate.
Sources and References
- Blue Streak Equipment – “How to Clean Up Nails After a Roof Is Installed”
Explains the importance of removing stray roofing nails and outlines practical methods like magnetic sweepers to prevent injuries and property damage.
https://www.bluestreakequipment.com/how-to-clean-up-nails-after-a-roof-is-installed/ - University of Florida IFAS Extension – “Protecting Trees During Construction”
Details best practices for preventing root, trunk, and soil damage to trees during construction activities, including site planning and protection zones.
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/trees-and-shrubs/trees/protecting-trees-during-construction/ - National Roofing Contractors Association – “Roofing Guidelines and Resources”
Provides industry-standard guidance on roof installation, inspection, and maintenance practices to ensure safety, durability, and proper workmanship.
https://www.nrca.net/roofing-guidelines/resources - Pandit Law – “How to Document Property Damage for Your Insurance Claim”
Outlines how to properly document property damage with photos, records, and written evidence to support accurate and successful insurance claims.
https://panditlaw.com/how-to-document-property-damage-for-your-insurance-claim/
