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Why You Shouldn't Try DIY Roof Repairs
It may be tempting to try DIY roof repairs. A job well done, especially on your own home, can be rewarding work. Plus, DIY projects can save you a few bucks. However, DIY roofing jobs are the exception. They are unlikely to be cheap or simple. Instead, they often turn into frustrating and dangerous projects. Here are a few reasons you shouldn’t try DIY roof repair.
You Could Make the Problem Worse
A roof seems simple, it rains, and the shingles direct the water off the roof, right? It’s much more complicated than that. All of the components of the roof work together to shed water, from the hip and ridge shingles to the flashing, gutters, and ventilation vents. It's important to understand how these parts work together to make adjustments.
It's also important to understand the layers of a roof. If your shingles are damaged, you may need to replace more than the shingles, perhaps even the flashing, felt, decking, and(or) attic insulation.
Also, roofers have a lot of specialized knowledge that's needed to make repairs. If you try to DIY, you could possibly miss out on these essential details and potentially make the problem worse. For example, shingles have to be nailed in very specific spots, flashing can only be secured on one contact point, and some types of valley installations are much better than others, depending on the location, pitch of the roof, and shingle type.
Even walking on the roof in the wrong spot could potentially cause more unnecessary damage. Professional roofers know where to step, and where not to step, to prevent damaging the roof. For example, they will not step in a roof valley unless necessary, because doing so easily rips up shingles. If you walk on your roof in the wrong spot, there’s a possibility you could create another leak while on your way to fix the original leak.
It's Dangerous
Your roof isn’t the only thing in danger when you’re up there. Professional roofers have safety equipment that prevents falls. When professionals do fall, they have insurance to cover their health costs and the damages they may cause on their way down. The average homeowner doesn’t have a safety harness, and your insurance may not cover your fall.
There’s also the possibility that your roof has seen too much damage to be walked on at all. Major leaks or very old shingles can be serious safety hazards if you’re on the roof. Water damage can rot out the beams that support the roof, causing you to fall through. Aged shingles can crumble under your feet, becoming a tripping hazard.
Don't DIY, But Do Understand
While you shouldn’t do a roofing job yourself, you should still understand what’s going on up there. If you have questions about your roof’s problems or about the work a roofer is about to perform, you should feel free to ask them. A reputable roofer should be happy to explain everything and should never dismiss your concerns. If you want to be more involved in your roof’s repair, all you need to do is ask. Now, if you have any questions that you'd like to ask us, feel free to hit the "Contact Us" button!
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