Why Getting A New Roof Is A Nuisance

October 4, 2013

Any homeowner who’s been through it will tell you that living in a home during a roofing job can be more than a minor annoyance. The very nature of the roofing business and re-roofing projects necessitate noise, smell, and a general mess. There’s simply no way to avoid some of those roofing nuisances. It’s up to you to hold your contractor to the highest safety and workplace cleanliness standards. It is essential for the safety and comfort of those in and around your home.

During a roofing project, there will be noise from hammering and loud equipment outside your home. In some instances, the smell from a hot tar application is virtually unavoidable. Your contractor can minimize the disturbance; however, it is impossible to eliminate completely. A contractor who emphasizes daily cleaning and safety on the job site can mitigate the mess generated by a roofing project.

Thorough daily clean-up and safety are why Garabar uses dump trucks and not dumpsters. We take the trash and debris with us at the end of every workday. Most contractors will leave a dumpster on your property throughout the job and may even leave it onsite for days after your job completion.

Roofing requires nails, heavy materials, and other sharp metal objects to be used and installed during most project phases.

Do not enter or leave the house with workers overhead. It’s not safe because of the hazard from falling debris. Enter and leave the house only when the work has stopped. There’s no possibility of waste and roofing material raining down on you or others this way.

The second safety measure is to expect your contractor to clean up as much small and large debris as (reasonably) possible. Your contractor should pick up any metal fragments or nails that may have fallen off the roof at the end of each day. That debris can be hazardous for children and pets who play or walk in the grass or along paths.

To ensure your contractor’s compliance, you must make your clean-up expectations clear – before the work begins. You may even wish to have the contractor include a provision to this effect in the contract or scope of the job before you sign an agreement.

Your family’s safety depends on clear communication with your contractor. Insist on a clear understanding of prioritizing safety on the job. Remember, most construction is generally loud, messy, and smelly work. However, your contractor should take proper care and never compromise safety to get a job done faster.