Should I DIY roofing repairs?
Having a good roof has multiple advantages. It maintains your property value, is energy
efficient, and protects your home against damages. Some signs that you need to replace or at
least repair your roof include missing or curling shingles, exposed nails, and moss growth. You
also need to change your roof every 15 to 20 years, even if you take good care of it.
Hiring a crew to change or fix your roof can be expensive. The cost is one of the reasons why
some people decide to DIY their roofing. We understand it can be tempting, but we strongly
advise against it. If you are curious, read ahead to learn the top 7 reasons why you should avoid
DIY roofing.
#1 DIY Roofing is not safe
Did you know that, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, roofing is one of the most
dangerous jobs? Roofers make the job look easy but walking and working on a roof is a skill.
Remember that roofers are professionals trained for this particular kind of work. They also have
the proper safety equipment and tools to do the job safely and efficiently.
The risk of falls is the most obvious danger, but there is more. For example, electrocutions,
burns, strong winds, structural collapses, and heat strokes are all hazards to keep in mind when
working on a roof.
As a homeowner, it is unlikely that you have the experience, skills, and equipment it takes to do
a good and safe roofing job. That’s why it is better to leave it to the professionals.
#2 Roofing is physically demanding
Roofing is very demanding. It requires time, attention, and energy. You have to manipulate
specialized tools that you might not be comfortable using, like a roofing nail gun or an air
compressor. Working with unfamiliar roofing tools, while working under the burning sun can lead to a dangerous situation for an inexperienced worker. You can become exhausted quickly, which means it will take you more time to do the work. Also, exhaustion increases your risk of making a mistake. You could mess up the roofing or, even worse, trip and fall.
#3 DIY Roofing can void your homeowner’s insurance.
Your home insurance typically covers your roof replacement or repair if damages occur from
an accident or act of nature, like a storm. However, your insurance does not cover damages if
they happen due to negligent repairs or installation mistakes. So, if you made a mistake while attempting to repair or replace your roof and it resulted in further damage, your insurance might deny your claim. Then, you would, unfortunately, have to pay for the original problem to be fixed plus the costs of the new damages. Once your insurance is cancelled or voided, it can be really hard and expensive to find new coverage.
#4 You might not be able to benefit from your product warranty.
If you want to do your roofing yourself, you will need supplies. Sometimes, even the best
products are faulty and need to get replaced. Fortunately, most roofing manufacturers have
warranties, and you’ll be able to get new supplies free of charge.
The catch?
Many of these manufacturers void the warranty if you do not follow specific
instructions during installation. For example, the manufacturer might require that you use nails
of a certain length on the shingles for the warranty to be valid. Others specify that you have to
hire a professional roofer for the installation or repair process if you want them to honor the
guarantee.
We think it is better to be safe than sorry and hire a licensed roofer if you want to make sure your
products are guaranteed.
#5 You might end up spending more money.
One of the main reasons people decide to DIY their roofing is to save money. We hate to be the
bearers of bad news but doing the roofing yourself might end up being more expensive than
hiring a professional.
As mentioned above, DIY roofing can void your home insurance and product warranty. Paying
out of pocket to replace faulty products or repair damages caused by a poorly executed roof
installation can get very expensive, very fast.
Moreover, since you are not familiar with the roofing process, the final result might not look as
good as you’d hope. If the shingles are crooked or mismatched, it will hurt the aesthetics of your
home. If you are trying to sell your house, it could have devastating consequences. Indeed, curb
appeal is one of the best ways to increase your home value and attract potential buyers. If your
roof looks bad, you might have to lower your asking price or pay a roofer to fix the job.
Finally, the end product might not be as durable if you do it yourself. Roofers have the expertise
to install a roof to make it last as long as possible. If you don’t do it properly, you might have to
fix it more often or replace it before the recommended 15 to 20 years.
#6 Clean up after DIY Roofing is tedious (and expensive!)
One of the most tedious tasks of roofing is cleaning. If you take care of the roofing, you will
have to pick up the old shingles and around 9,600 nails. You will also have to find a way to get
rid of them and any additional debris. If you hire a professional crew, they will take care of it and
save you a lot of time (and trouble)!
#7 You might miss a critical issue
Watching a few videos to learn how to install a roof does not make you an expert. Although it
might be enough to learn how to patch or replace a cracked shingle, it does not show you how to
identify any abnormality or damage to your roof structure. You might think you only need to
replace a few shingles when, in reality, you need to repair a minor leak.
Professional roofers can identify any issues on your roof, allowing you to address them quickly
before they cause significant damage. Indeed, missing these issues can lead to bigger problems,
including widespread water damage, molding, rotting, and structural collapse.
When you have roofing issues, or need an inspection, call the best, call IES Roofing. We are local award winning roofers who stand by our work.