Should I stay home during a roof replacement?
Short answer. You can stay home, and many people do, but expect several hours of loud hammering and vibration, debris falling around the house, and limited use of the driveway and yard. If you work from home on calls, have a baby, pets that stress easily or someone sensitive to noise, plan to be out during tear-off and installation.
What it is like inside
Tear-off is the loudest part: scraping, thumping and debris sliding into a dumpster or trailer. Then nail guns run most of the day. Rooms directly under the roof, especially upstairs bedrooms and bonus rooms, get the most noise and vibration. Light fixtures may rattle and some dust can fall from attic openings.
Who should consider leaving
- Anyone working from home who needs quiet for calls.
- Infants and young children who nap.
- Dogs and cats that panic at loud noise. A day at a friend's house or daycare is kinder.
- Anyone with health conditions made worse by stress or dust.
If you stay, prepare the house
- Take pictures and mirrors off walls on the top floor.
- Cover items stored in the attic with sheets or tarps.
- Move cars out of the driveway and away from the drip line.
- Keep kids and pets out of the yard and away from work areas.
- Leave access to outlets, the attic and the garage if the crew needs them.
- Be reachable in case the crew finds damaged decking and needs a decision.
At the end of the day
Walk the yard with the crew lead, look for nails in beds and the lawn, and check the attic for anything that fell. The hour-by-hour flow is in what to expect on roof replacement day.