Roof need Repairs? Don’t attempt it Yourself

Often times, it’s pretty obvious when your roof is in need of repairs. Perhaps there’s water leaking through your ceiling. Maybe you’ve noticed a portion of your roof where shingles are missing or cracked or curling. If you’ve noticed that your roof is in need of repair, you might be tempted to do the work yourself. You may even have some leftover shingles from when you had the roof installed. You may be pretty handy with tools and may even feel comfortable working from atop your roof.

In recent years, America has experienced a DIY craze, in large part thanks to popular television shows on the DIY network. Though there are a number of home improvement projects you can tackle on your own to save some money, your roof should not be one of those projects. Here’s why.

It’s dangerous

Roofing work should be left to the professionals for the same reason electrical work and tree trimming should be left to electricians and tree trimmers. If you don’t know what you’re doing you can get yourself killed, or seriously injured. Even if you’re comfortable with heights and you’re pretty steady on your feet, any time you’re up on a sloped roof, there’s the potential for a serious fall. It’s not just about having roofing experience either. Roofing companies operate under strict OSHA guidelines. Roofers are trained to use safety equipment and proper technique to keep themselves out of harm’s way when working on top of a roof.

It can cost you in the long run

Homeowners like DIY projects because it’s less expensive than hiring someone else to do it. But with roofing projects, doing it yourself could end up costing you a lot more than it saves. Roofing work is delicate work, it has to be done exactly right for your roof to work properly. If you install shingles improperly, it could result in leaks, mold, and interior damage that will cost far more than it would have to hire a professional roofer in the first place.

It can void your warranty

Roofing materials come with a warranty from the manufacturer. So long as the materials are installed properly by a certified professional, that warranty will be in effect should your roof develop problems prematurely. If the manufacturer learns that you’ve been making repairs on the roof yourself, that warranty is voided and you’re responsible for the cost of replacing your roof.

Leave it to the pros

Roofing work is one of those industries that requires a license. As a general rule, if a type or work requires a license, you shouldn’t be doing it. Hire a roofer who is licensed and insured, who has the proper equipment and years of experience to do the job right the first time.

Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com
Source: quickenloans.com/blog/warning-7-projects-you-may-not-want-to-diy