There are many do-it-yourself projects that any handy homeowner can perform with no issue to help around the average home. Things such as replacing switch covers, hanging new doors, repairing sink drains, and installing new flooring are all things that anyone can do with a bit of skill and a few standard tools. But many other home improvement jobs are outside the scope of the amateur handyman and handywoman.
Aside from the fact that many home projects require special equipment, experience, and knowledge, trying to do them as DIY projects can also be quite dangerous. This is why you should avoid DIY roof repairs since those falls into that category. Let’s see why it is best to leave roof work to professionals.
Roofing work can be dangerous
Working on your roof is going to involve working at a high altitude. You will have to use ladders or scaffolding to access the roof’s surface for replacement or repairs. Doing this is a risk of severe injury or even worse. This is especially true for the average homeowner, who likely doesn’t have access to the safety equipment that professional roofers typically use. A fall from even a single-story roof can be life-threatening.
Even if you are lucky enough not to fall off the roof, you still risk common injuries like bruises, twisted ankles, and back injuries. And, of course, there are stings from insects like wasps and bees, which can be very dangerous, even if you are not allergic. These insects may have built nests on your roof, which are hard to spot from afar.
Your roof is way too important
It would be best if you considered your roof the most critical structure in your home. Your roof’s role in maintaining the integrity of the rest of your home is integral to your quality of life. It protects the structure of your home and everything in it, from rain and hail to excess moisture build-up. Because of your roof’s importance, taking chances with amateur repairs isn’t worth it. A simple miscalculation could result in significant damage to your roof and to the rest of your property.
You probably don’t know what to look for
Not all roof problems are obvious. If you just moved into your new home and want to make sure it’s safe, you shouldn’t just climb up and start looking around. Your best bet for new homeowner safety is to hire a professional home inspector to check that for you. There are certain questions you have to answer if you would like to conduct a roof inspection on your own roof for needed repairs:
- Can you identify a potential weak spot or leak?
- Are you able to tell if your roof requires a full replacement?
- Do you know what to do if you find a puddle of water?
- Will you be able to tell whether you’ve fixed a problem or just made it worse?
If you have answered any of these questions with no, you should absolutely avoid DIY roof repairs.
Not all roofing materials are good quality
When they shop for roofing materials, the vast majority of homeowners tend to look for products that are cheap and affordable. Bad quality building materials are one of the most common roof problems you’ll encounter. While this may not seem like a huge problem at first, the use of inferior roofing materials can cause many problems in the long run. Professional roofers use premium, high-performance products designed to provide long-lasting protection. Many of these premium products can not be bought commercially at places like your local home improvement store.
It can cost you even more down the line
It has been proven time and time again that those with little experience in roofing are likely to make mistakes that cost them more than the initial repair would have. What makes them even trickier is that these mistakes likely won’t have any noticeable effect on your roof in the beginning. However, later on, you’ll see that those mistakes caused even more damage to your home and money loss. Professionals are not only able to avoid these mistakes.
They can also spot any red flags early on before a small problem turns into a much bigger one. If you want to avoid these beginner mistakes, you should avoid DIY roof repairs.
You probably won’t be happy with the results
Roofs are supposed to be functional, but it doesn’t stop there. They should also look good. Details like properly aligning shingles and making sure everything is straight and pleasing to the eye are not always easy to pull off. Even if you manage to finish your DIY roof repair, you might not end up being happy with the way the results look. Having to look at a lopsided roof or an uneven shingling job every day probably won’t feel very good.
No warranty
Repairing your home’s roof is a major investment. Even if you do skip out on the cost of hiring professional help, you can expect to pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars in materials. Seeing how much money and time goes into roofing repairs, you will probably want to have your investment protected.
If you want to reap the benefits of a manufacturer warranty, you will have to avoid DIY roof repairs. They are, after all, the best way to ensure that if any problems occur before the materials reach their life expectancy, you can have the materials replaced painlessly.
Manufacturer warranties will usually give you between 10 and 30 years of insurance on your investment. Additionally, some contractors also offer some type of warranty which ranges from a few months to a few years. When you choose to DIY your roof repairs, you lose out on the warranty that could otherwise protect your roof repairs.
Key takeaways
Before you decide to do a DIY roof repair, you should at least call-in professional roof repair contractors. Most roofing companies provide a free estimate. This means that you genuinely have nothing to lose. When you are putting your hard-earned money into roof repairs, you should be sure that the job was done correctly by a certified professional. When you avoid DIY roof repairs and hire an expert roofer to do the job, you can rest easy knowing that you will receive professional results.