What Happens on Roof Replacement Day? A Grand Strand Homeowner Guide

On roof replacement day, the crew tears your old roof off down to the deck, repairs any damaged wood, and then installs drip edge, Ice and Water Shield, synthetic underlayment, shingles, new pipe flashings and vents. Honest Roofers follows this same careful process on every pitched roof replacement across Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand.

How Should I Prepare My Home Before Roof Replacement Day?

Prepare by clearing the area around your house, protecting fragile items inside and making a plan for kids, pets and cars. Tearing off a roof is loud, and the hammering vibrates through the walls. A little preparation keeps the day calm and safe for everyone.

Outside the house

• Move cars out of the garage and driveway so the crew has room for materials and debris.
• Move patio furniture, grills, planters and decorations away from the house.
• Mow the lawn beforehand, which makes it easier to spot any stray debris afterward.
• Let your neighbors know so they are not surprised by the noise.

Inside the house

• Take pictures, mirrors and shelf items off walls that face the roof, since vibration can knock them loose.
• Cover belongings stored in the attic, because dust and small bits can fall through.
• Plan a quiet spot for pets, or arrange for them to stay elsewhere. The noise upsets many animals.
• Keep children inside or away from the work zone.

Before the day comes, Jeremy Coleman, the owner of Honest Roofers, will go over the plan with you so you know what to expect. If something is unclear, ask. Educating homeowners is the whole point of how Honest Roofers works.

What Happens First When the Roofing Crew Arrives?

The first step is protecting your property and then tearing off all the old roofing material down to the deck. Honest Roofers always does a full tear-off on a pitched roof replacement. They never install new shingles over old ones, because a second layer doubles the weight on your framing and hides problems that need attention.

During tear-off, the crew removes the old shingles, underlayment, pipe flashings and other worn components. This is the noisiest and messiest part of the job. Once the deck is exposed, it is inspected. This is the moment that matters most, because it is the only time anyone will see the wood under your roof until the next replacement.

Any damaged, soft or rotted decking is repaired before anything new goes down. In our humid climate, small leaks around old pipe flashings, chimneys or valleys can quietly damage the wood for years. A roof that is installed over bad decking will not perform the way it should, no matter how good the shingles are.

What Goes Down on the Roof After Tear-Off?

After tear-off and deck repair, the new roof goes on in layers, from the deck up. Each layer has a specific job, and the order matters. Here is how Honest Roofers builds a new pitched roof:

• Drip edge: metal trim along the edges that directs water into the gutters and away from the fascia.
• Ice and Water Shield: a self-sealing membrane installed on the lower edge, covering the first 3 feet, where wind-driven rain and gutter backups do the most damage.
• Synthetic underlayment: a tough, water-resistant layer across the rest of the deck. Honest Roofers never uses tarred felt.
• Shingles: Honest Roofers prefers the Atlas Pinnacle Pristine with 3M Scotchgard algae protection, which carries a lifetime guarantee against black algae streaks. They can install all brands.
• Pipe flashings: every pipe gets a brand-new flashing.
• Ventilation: proper roof vents or a ridge vent so the attic can release heat and moisture.
• Chimneys and skylights: flashing is addressed as needed so these openings stay watertight.

This layered approach is built for our coastal weather: salt air, humidity, sea breezes and wind-driven rain during hurricane season from June to November. You can see the full process on our full roof replacement page.

How Long Does a Roof Replacement Take on the Grand Strand?

The time a roof replacement takes depends on the size and shape of the roof, how much deck repair is needed, and the weather. A simple roof on a small home is a very different job than a large, steep roof with many valleys, dormers, chimneys and skylights. Jeremy will give you an idea of the schedule for your specific home when he goes over the estimate.

Weather is the big wildcard here. Afternoon thunderstorms pop up quickly in the summer, and tropical systems can change plans during hurricane season. A careful roofer watches the forecast and will not leave a roof exposed when rain is coming. If the schedule needs to shift for safety or weather, that is a sign of a crew doing things the right way, not cutting corners.

Flat sections work differently. For roof areas at 2/12 pitch or lower, Honest Roofers installs EPDM, a synthetic rubber membrane designed for low slopes. Learn more on our EPDM flat roofs page.

What Should I Check When the Roof Replacement Is Finished?

When the work is done, walk the property and look over the roof from the ground, and ask your roofer any questions while they are still there. A good final walk-through should include:

• A look at the finished roof from each side of the house for straight lines and even shingles.
• A check of the yard, driveway, beds and gutters for leftover debris and nails.
• A review of any deck repairs that were made, ideally with photos.
• Your written workmanship warranty details and any manufacturer information for your shingles.

Keep your paperwork and photos together with your home records. They are useful if you ever sell, file an insurance claim or need service down the road. Honest Roofers provides workmanship warranty details in writing with each estimate.

Replacement day is also a good time to think about your gutters. Gutters on the Grand Strand fill up quickly with pine needles and leaves, and gutters that overflow can send water back toward the roof edge and fascia. If yours are sagging, leaking or pulling away from the house, mention it during your inspection. Honest Roofers installs and repairs gutters, so it is easy to look at the whole drainage picture at once and handle it on the same project instead of calling a second company later.

Why Does Choosing the Right Roofer Near Me Matter for Replacement Day?

Choosing the right roofer near me matters because the quality of replacement day depends entirely on the people doing the work. When you search for a roofing company near me, look for a local contractor who is licensed and insured, shows up on time, explains the process and never pressures you to sign right away.

Honest Roofers is veteran owned. Jeremy was born and raised in Myrtle Beach, served four years in the US Air Force as an aircraft crew chief, and ran construction crews before he started roofing. That experience shows in how a job site is run. Read more on our story page, or see roof replacement and repair in Myrtle Beach for more about choosing between the two.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be home on roof replacement day?

Not always, but it helps to be reachable by phone in case questions come up, such as deck repairs. Talk with Jeremy ahead of time about what works for your schedule.

What if it rains during my roof replacement?

A careful crew plans around the forecast and protects any open areas. If weather threatens, work may pause or shift to another day so your home stays dry. During hurricane season, it is also smart to schedule an inspection early rather than waiting until a storm is already in the forecast.

Will the crew find problems they did not expect?

Sometimes. Damaged decking is often hidden until the old roof comes off. Honest Roofers repairs the deck before installing the new roof and will explain what was found.

Roof replacement day goes smoothly when you know what to expect and trust the people on your roof. If you are in Myrtle Beach or anywhere on the Grand Strand, Honest Roofers will make sure you understand every step.