Illinois Roofing License IDFPR #19HC00108700 · GAF Certified Contractor
The week before your roof installation, a few hours of preparation can prevent damage, stress, and surprises on install day. This is the checklist we walk through with every Trill Roofing customer – what to do inside the house, outside, and with your schedule so install day goes smoothly.
Inside the house – attic prep
Tear-off creates vibration and dust that drops from the rafters into the attic. Anything stored there that’s sensitive should be covered or moved:
- Holiday decorations in cardboard boxes (cover with plastic sheets)
- Stored clothing or fabric items (dust gets into fibers)
- Electronics or appliances (cover with sheets)
- Items immediately below the attic hatch (most likely to receive falling dust)
You don’t need to clear the attic – just cover dust-sensitive items.
Inside the house – ceiling-mounted items
Vibration from hammers and dropped shingles can rattle ceiling fixtures:
- Ceiling fans – let them stop (don’t run during install)
- Hanging light fixtures with delicate glass shades – consider removing the shade temporarily
- Wall-mounted artwork on ceiling-adjacent walls – secure or temporarily remove
- Picture frames close to the ceiling – check fasteners
Major damage from vibration is rare but light shades occasionally fall. A few minutes of pre-install securing prevents the problem.
Outside the house – driveway and yard
The driveway becomes the staging area for the dumpster, crew vehicles, and materials:
- Move cars to the street the night before
- Move bikes, lawn equipment, and other driveway items
- Clear the entryway so crew has access to the front door
- If you have a basketball hoop on the driveway, plan to relocate or accept it will be near the dumpster
Yard:
- Trim back shrubs immediately adjacent to the house (within 3 feet)
- Move planters, garden statues, lawn furniture from the perimeter
- Move bird feeders, hanging plants
- If you have a pool, cover it for the day (debris occasionally lands in pools)
Outside – gutters and landscaping
If your gutters are full of leaves and debris, ask whether the crew will be able to use them or whether the gutters need to come down for the install. Either way, gutter cleaning the week before makes sense.
Landscaping under the eaves is most vulnerable:
- Mark anything you specifically want protected with a yard flag
- Mention high-value plants to the crew foreman on arrival
- Accept that some pruning or trampling can happen – well-maintained landscape recovers within a season
Pets and people
Roofing is loud and stressful for animals. Plan:
- Dogs and cats – boarded for the day, with a friend, or in a quiet interior room far from the work
- Birds and small animals – covered cages, moved to a quiet area
- Fish tanks – they’re fine; the vibration is felt more than heard underwater
People:
- Work-from-home – plan for noise; consider working elsewhere
- Small children – naps don’t happen during tear-off. Plan a day out.
- Sensitive sleepers or shift workers – install runs roughly 7 AM to 5 PM; plan accordingly
Communication and access
The crew foreman will need to talk to you (or your designated contact) for:
- Approval if decking replacement is needed beyond the original quote
- Confirmation of any change orders
- End-of-day walkthrough
If you’re not going to be home, designate a contact person we can reach by phone. We don’t need physical access to the house – just phone communication.
After install – what to expect
Post-install:
- Magnetic sweep typically catches 95-99% of stray nails. Walk the driveway and yard barefoot a few days later – if anything was missed, we come back to sweep again.
- A few shingle granules will be in the gutters and downspouts. That’s normal post-install settling.
- The roof color may look slightly different in different light conditions for the first month as the shingles weather.
- The seal strip on each shingle takes a few warm sunny days to fully bond. Wind sensitivity is slightly higher in the first week.
Get ready for your install
If you’re scheduled for a Trill Roofing install, you’ll receive this checklist as a PDF a week before your install date. If you have questions, your project manager is available by phone. Schedule a free inspection at /free-inspection/ if you’re planning ahead.
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No-pressure, written estimate. Family-owned. IL-licensed. Serving Godfrey and the Riverbend.