Guttrz / Blog / Roof replacement day
What to expect on roof replacement day
Roofing by Guttrz: the owner inspects your roof himself, sends a photo report, and gives one flat written quote good for one year, so by install day there are no surprises left.
On roof replacement day expect a dumpster in the driveway early, loud tear-off through the morning, a check of the bare decking, then ice and water shield, synthetic underlayment, starter strip, architectural shingles and a ridge vent through the afternoon. The day ends with cleanup, a magnet sweep of the yard for nails and a walk-through, and most homes are done in one day. Guttrz in North Canton, Ohio installs asphalt shingle roofs in Stark, Summit and Medina counties from one flat written quote good for one year, after a free inspection by the owner.
What should you expect on roof replacement day?
Here is what to expect on roof replacement day: a dumpster in the driveway early, tear-off noise most of the morning, a quiet stretch while the decking is checked and underlayment goes down, then the steady rhythm of shingles being nailed through the afternoon. Most homes are done in one day. The day ends with a cleanup, a magnet sweep of the yard for nails, and a walk-through.
This post walks through the day hour by hour in general terms, what to do the night before, how loud it gets, and what happens if the weather turns. It describes a Guttrz asphalt shingle replacement, the only roofing service Guttrz sells. If nobody has looked at your roof yet, start on the Roofing by Guttrz page, which explains the free inspection and the one-year quote that come before any install is scheduled.
What to expect on roof replacement day, hour by hour
Every roof is different, so treat these times as the rough shape of the day, not a schedule. Steep roofs, two layers of old shingles, and rotted decking all stretch it.
Early morning: dumpster and setup
The dumpster usually arrives first. It goes in the driveway or on the street in front of the house. Tarps go down over landscaping and along the walls, and plywood may lean against windows and the air conditioner so sliding shingles do not hit them.
Morning: tear-off
Tear-off is the loud part. Old shingles, nails, and old underlayment come off down to the bare wood decking. On a single layer of shingles this is a couple of hours on an average home. Two layers roughly doubles the debris and the time, and in Ohio a roof that already has two layers has to come off rather than be covered.
Midmorning: decking check
With the deck bare, every sheet of plywood or plank is checked for soft spots, rot, and delamination. This is the only time anyone can see the wood, which is why a flat quote should already say how decking replacement is priced if it is needed. Your Guttrz quote spells this out before the day starts.
Late morning: drip edge, ice and water shield, underlayment
Drip edge goes on the eaves. Then ice and water shield, a self-adhering membrane, is rolled along the eaves, into the valleys, and around pipes and chimneys. In Northeast Ohio that membrane runs at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line, which is what the code calls for where the January mean temperature is 25 F or colder. Synthetic underlayment covers the rest of the deck. The roof now sheds water before a shingle goes on.
Midday to afternoon: starter strip and shingles
Starter strip goes along the eaves and rakes, then the architectural shingles run in courses from the bottom up. This is the longest stretch of the day and the most rhythmic noise, a nail gun every second or two. Flashing at walls, pipes, and the chimney gets worked in as the courses reach them.
Late afternoon: ridge vent and cap
The ridge is cut open for a continuous ridge vent, the vent is fastened, and cap shingles finish the peak. Once the cap is on, the roof is done.
End of day: cleanup and magnet sweep
Tarps are gathered, gutters are cleared of shingle grit, and a rolling magnet is swept across the lawn, driveway, and beds to pull up nails. The dumpster is hauled off the same evening or the next morning. Guttrz finishes with a walk-through and photos of the finished roof.
How do you prepare your house for a roof replacement?
Prepare the night before by clearing the driveway, covering anything stored in the attic, taking pictures and mirrors off the walls, and making a plan for pets. Ten minutes of prep saves a lot of grief.
- Cars. Move them out of the driveway and garage the night before. The dumpster needs the space, and you may not be able to get out once it arrives.
- Attic. Tear-off shakes dust and old granules through every gap in the decking. Cover stored boxes with a sheet or drop cloth, and move anything fragile.
- Wall hangings. Nail guns vibrate the whole frame. Take down pictures, mirrors, and shelves with loose items on them, especially on upper floors.
- Pets. Dogs and cats handle the noise poorly. A day at a friend's house or a daycare is kinder than a day of hiding under the bed.
- Yard. Move patio furniture, grills, and potted plants away from the walls. Point out anything fragile in the beds so it can be tarped.
- Satellite dishes and solar. Tell Guttrz ahead of time about anything mounted on the roof so it is in the quote and the plan.
How loud is a roof replacement?
Loud enough that working from home is hard. Tear-off sounds like scraping and thumping overhead, and the nailing phase is a steady pop every second or two for hours. Inside the house it is roughly as loud as a vacuum running in the next room. Neighbors appreciate a heads-up the day before.
What happens if it rains on roof replacement day?
A roof is never left open. If the forecast calls for steady rain, the day is rescheduled before anyone shows up. If a surprise shower rolls in, work stops, exposed decking is covered with tarps or underlayment, and the install picks back up when it passes. Ice and water shield and synthetic underlayment shed water on their own, so once they are down a short rain is not a crisis. Cold is a factor too. Shingles can go on in cool weather, but the sealant strips need warm sun to bond, and many installers avoid work below about 40 F. That is why Guttrz schedules installs around the forecast, and why the best time to replace a roof in Ohio is a real question.
What should you check when the install is done?
Walk the yard with the owner and look at the finished roof photos. Check that the gutters are clear of grit, the ridge vent runs the length of the peak, flashing sits tight to the walls, and the downspouts drain. Run a magnet of your own across the lawn a few days later, since nails keep turning up as grass gets mowed. You will have a manufacturer warranty on the shingles and a written Guttrz workmanship warranty, terms on your quote. If your gutters are spike-hung or sagging, replacement day is the natural time to swap them, and the roof and gutter replacement page covers how Guttrz does both the same week.
The first step is a free inspection. The owner walks the roof, sends a photo report with a Good, Watch, or Replace Soon rating, and gives one flat written quote good for one year. Now booking spring 2027 roof replacements. Free roof inspections now. Book a free roof inspection in North Canton, or read the full asphalt shingle roof replacement overview first.
Common questions
Do I need to be home during a roof replacement?
No. Guttrz needs access to the outside of the house, outdoor outlets, and the driveway, not the inside. Many people leave for the day because of the noise. Plan to be there for the walk-through at the end, or go through the finished roof photos by phone that evening.
How long does a roof replacement take in Ohio?
An average home with one layer of shingles is commonly a one to two day job, and most Guttrz installs are planned for one day. Two layers of old shingles, a steep pitch, rotted decking, or a rain delay can add a day. The roof is never left open overnight; underlayment or tarps cover any exposed decking.
Will a roof replacement damage my landscaping?
Tarps and plywood protect beds, shrubs, and the air conditioner during tear-off, and a magnet sweep picks up nails at the end. Some flattened mulch and a few broken stems on plants right against the wall are normal. Move potted plants and patio furniture before the dumpster arrives.
Can you replace a roof in winter in Ohio?
It is possible, but shingle sealant strips need warm sun to bond, and many installers avoid work below about 40 F. Guttrz is booking installs for spring 2027 and schedules around the forecast. A winter inspection is still worth doing, because the report and the one-year quote let you plan the install for the first good weather.
What happens if rotten decking is found?
Soft or rotted sheets are cut out and replaced with new plywood before the underlayment goes on, because shingles need solid wood to nail into. A good quote tells you in advance how decking is priced if it is needed, so the number is not a surprise on install day. The free Guttrz inspection flags likely soft spots ahead of time from the attic and the roof surface.
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Written by Christian Schaffner, owner of Guttrz. Updated November 7, 2026.
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