Due to their architectural and cultural significance, working on historic homes requires a special set of considerations. Many historic homes can be subject to local, state, and national preservation regulations and this may dictate what changes are allowed to be made and what materials may be used for renovations. This article will provide tips for roofing and remodeling historic homes and how the Equipter 4000 can be a helpful tool in the process.
The first step to working on a historic home is researching the home’s original design, construction methods that were used when building it, any historical records relating to past renovations, and getting an understanding of what materials were originally used. Ideally, renovations will aim to maintain the original elements as much as possible and avoid making changes that would detract from the home’s character. For roofing, this can mean selecting materials that are consistent with materials that would have been used during the home’s period. There is a balance of mimicking original techniques, such as traditional shingle joinery or hand cut pieces, while also providing some modern updates like improved weatherproofing and better ventilation.
Crews have to take the utmost care when remodeling sections of a historic home so as to not cause irreversible damage. Some common methods to protect historic homes during renovations include plastic sheet partitioning, dust containment barriers and negative air pressure systems, corner guards and padding when moving materials through a residence, and protective coverings to shield sensitive areas. One benefit of using the Equipter 4000 on home remodeling jobs is the ability to use the Equipter to lift materials to a second story, eliminating the need to manually move materials through the first floor of a home and navigate around stairways. The Equipter 4000 can also be used to catch and capture debris from the second story, lower its box, and move debris to a dumpster. This video of the Equipter on a remodeling job demonstrates how debris can be removed from an open window instead of disused materials being tracked through a home.
The Equipter 4000 was originally designed with roofers in mind and many of its features are relevant to working on historic home projects. The Equipter 4000 can lift shingles, tile, slate, and other materials to the roof where crews can retrieve them. This can be especially useful for moving delicate or custom roofing materials. The self-propelled Equipter 4000 can be driven around properties and placed in exactly the right spot to ensure optimal debris containment and removal. The rollback feature on the Equipter 4000 allows the box to be positioned over gardens, bushes, and other delicate landscaping features. The Equipter’s design and wide tires distribute weight to provide protection to homeowner’s lawns so that there are no ruts left after a job is completed, unlike wheelbarrows, dumpsters, or other pieces of heavy equipment.
The Equipter 4000 is available to rent at over 400 rental locations across the United States and Canada. To find the location closest to you, please view our rental map. If your company is interested in pricing out an Equipter package that best meets your business’s needs, you can use our online Build + Buy tool or talk to our sales team.