6 min
We’ve all had that awkward interaction with a maintenance person in our homes. They’re checking on your plumbing while you’re wondering where to stand or what to do in the background. So what about a big project, like getting a new roof? A roof replacement might be:
- Loud
- Messy
- Intrusive
This may lead some homeowners to ask, “should I stay home during a roof replacement?” The short answer: sure! But there are definitely benefits and drawbacks to sticking around while you get your roof replaced.
How Long Does a Roof Replacement Take?
Most roofs can be replaced within a day, but some materials may take a bit longer. For example:
- Asphalt shingles: 1–3 days
- Metal roof: 1-7 days
- Wood shingles: 2–7 days
- Slate tile: 5–7 days
- Concrete tiles: 3–9 days
- Clay tile: 5–10 days
The reason some roofs may take longer to install is just due to the sheer complexity of the installation. Asphalt shingles are one of the easiest to install as they require a laying down of the roof deck and waterproofing layer, then rows of multiple shingles can be nailed in layer after layer until complete. The installation is very straightforward, with guided nail strips that make it easy to know where and how many nails to apply.
More complex installs like roofing tiles, on the other hand, require diligent installation tile-by-tile that ensures they are secured, leak-free, and don’t break or crack during the process. Other factors that can determine how long roof installation takes include:
- The size of your home
- If there is damage exposed underneath
- The installation technique (tear-off vs. overlay)
- The weather conditions
What Are the Downfalls of Staying Home During Roof Replacement? ❌
If your neighbors have ever had roof work done and you’ve been home to hear it— you know it can be quite loud, from the outside at least. But what about in the house? How noisy is it really? Well, that’s one of the downfalls of sticking around during a roof replacement. But there are also a few other cons to the whole process.
Roof Replacements Are Noisy 🙉
Staying inside during a roof replacement means you’ll be dealing with the sound of nails being driven into the roof, shingles or tiles being placed and cut, hammering, and debris dropping into the dumpster. The sound may not be unbearable, but it can definitely be disruptive, especially if you work from home or have young children in the house.
Your Yard Can Get Messy 🧹
If you have a dumpster placed in your driveway or yard, it’s likely to be in the way a little bit, or if roofers aren’t using a CatchAll system, debris may fall into the yard. Of course, when you don’t stay home for a roof replacement, it will all be clean by the time you come home. So, out of sight, out of mind is almost better than seeing the big mess made to begin with.
Pets and Kids Need to Stay Inside 🐕
Because of falling debris and hazardous working conditions around the house, you’ll probably want to keep the kids and the dog inside the house, away from all the falling debris and roof workers. This can prove difficult, especially if your dog needs to go out for the bathroom and your kids start to get antsy inside. Luckily, you could skip away to a nearby park to waste a bit of time.
Can Disrupt Working From Home 🧑💻
As if video meetings weren’t hard enough, you might find it even more difficult to hear your coworkers with the roofers working just outside. The same could be said for getting any work done, in general— the noise can make it difficult to focus or hear clearly. It’s probably best to plan accordingly and take the day off if you can or at least take a trip into the office or a workspace to get some stuff done in peace and quiet.
It Can Be Inconvenient 😬
The whole process of having a roof replaced can be pretty inconvenient, especially if you have to take time off work or make other accommodations for the workers, like moving your cars out of the driveway or garage. It can also be disruptive to your daily routine, which can be frustrating.
Might be a Dangerous Environment 🚧
If you have young kids, they might not understand the dangers of being too close to the roofing work and could easily get hurt by falling debris or workers. It’s definitely not worth the risk to stick around during a roof replacement— it’s best to leave them with a sitter or family member for the day.
Overall, there are plenty of cons to the whole roof replacement process if you decide to stick around the house. Luckily roof replacements, in general, don’t take very long. We’ve been known to replace a shingle roof in just a few hours!
What Are the Benefits of Putting Up With the Noise? 👍
Now that we’ve gone over some of the cons, let’s focus on a few benefits of staying during your roof replacement.
You Can Monitor the Work 🔎
If you’re the type of person who likes to keep an eye on things, then this might be the best option for you. By staying home, you can monitor the work being done to ensure that your roofers are doing a good job. You can also ask questions if you have any and get a first-hand look at the process from beginning to end! But keep in mind that teams like Tectum Roofing ensure an on-site lead handles all of the grunt work so you don’t have to.
You Save Money 💰
If you have to take time off work or make other accommodations like a hotel or spending the day away doing fun things, it might end up costing you more money in the long run. If you can just tough it out and stay home, then you won’t have to worry about those extra costs.
You’re Around to Answer (or Ask) Questions ❓
If you’re home during the roofing process, you can be there to answer any questions the roofers might have about your home or the job itself. This can help things run smoothly and go faster if they don’t have to call you or email you with any last-minute questions or concerns.
Rest Easy With Same Day Roof Replacements
We know that getting a new roof can be stressful, and we want to alleviate that stress by taking the worry off your plate. So, should you stay home during a roof replacement? That is truly up to you.
While Tectum Roofing can handle the job with or without you there, we recommend you do whatever is best for you, your working environment, and your schedule. We can also schedule the roof replacement to be at the most convenient time for you, not us. To get the time you prefer for your roof replacement, reach out to Tectum today!
