Do you enjoy DIY projects? You can feel a sense of satisfaction when you fix your own home. You can save money by doing DIY projects. You may want to reconsider a DIY roofing project. You probably won’t have all the tools or the knowledge to do the job unless you are a professional roofing contractor. You could make an expensive or dangerous mistake when working on your roof.
You may be disappointed by the results of your DIY home project. More than 2,000 homeowners surveyed found that more than half said their projects were more difficult and time-consuming than expected. Even though the survey included easy DIY projects such as painting walls or installing a backsplash on the kitchen, 8 percent of homeowners damaged their homes during a DIY. In addition, 16 percent injured themselves. DIY roofing projects are more likely to cause injuries and damage.
In some ways, roofing is like gardening. Some people may think that it is easy. When they first bring home a new plant, they realize they must do more than just put it near a window. Roofs are no different. Roofers are trained to use the right equipment and have experience to make it look simple, but that’s not true.
Hiring a professional roofing contractor is better than attempting a DIY project for repairs.
1. Professionals have knowledge and experience
Did you know there are several layers of roofing material beneath your shingles? Roofs are complex systems with multiple layers and components. These pieces must work together to prevent water from entering the house.
Roofers who are professionals have been trained to understand roof systems and how to correctly install their components. The roofers must consider the requirements of the local building code and those set by the manufacturer. Your roofer in North America may need to be certified either by the state or province they are working in or even a roofing association. Some roofers choose to be certified by the manufacturer, which may give them additional skills and experience.
Professional roofers’ training allows them to protect your house from the weather in ways you might not have even realized. When a professional roofer works on your home’s roof, they might notice another problem you wouldn’t have noticed.
How do I repair my own roof?
You can educate yourself about your roof. You probably do not have time to learn all you need to repair your roof. Many things can go wrong, even if you’re just replacing one shingle.
You may not know that you need to remove the old shingles before installing the new ones. You may have left the nail heads out in the open, used the wrong size nail, placed the nail incorrectly or failed to drive the nail properly. Most homeowners don’t realize that the underlayment beneath the shingles must also be replaced. These small mistakes can cause a leak.
Without investing some time into roofing, it’s difficult to grasp the complexity of this field. Consider the knowledge that you possess in your career. Would you expect that a professional roofer could pick up your profession as a hobby and finish your job correctly in a weekend?
Aesthetics is Important
Professionals who work on your roof should consider the roof’s beauty and function. Your roof is an important part of the curb appeal of your house. Installing a roof with shingles that look good is not easy.
A professional roofer will follow the manufacturer’s instructions to apply the shingles properly.
Take a look at the roof below, where the wrong color shingles have been installed.
2. Liability and Insurance
Likely, your home insurance policy will not cover damage to your roof caused by you walking on it, or repairing it with no knowledge and skills. Your insurance company might deny your claim if they find that you attempted to repair your roof on your own. In this case, you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for repairs.
Roofers who are professionals are less likely to make mistakes. They are usually insured to cover any damage caused by them. Reputable roofers will return to correct any mistakes that they made without charging you extra costs. You can benefit from the insurance of a professional and avoid the headache and expense of a denied claim by choosing to hire a professional roofing contractor in Greeville SC.
You can repair your own roof on an insurance claim.
Can you repair your roof yourself if a storm has damaged it and your insurance company has agreed to pay for the repairs? Insurance laws vary from state to state. You should always confirm with your lawyer and insurance company the amount you have received from your insurance claim.
Your insurance company could deny your claim if you make a mistake while trying to repair your roof using the money from your policy. You may be told you are responsible for roof repairs if you don’t hire a professional. You may have a worse roof issue than when you began and be unable to take legal action.
3. Limited Warranty
You may be covered under two limited warranties when you hire a professional roofing contractor: one for labor, and another for defective shingles from the manufacturer. You won’t get covered by the roofer’s warranty if you try to do DIY roof repairs. You’ll also usually invalidate your manufacturer’s limited warranty.
To be eligible for a limited warranty, manufacturers require that products are installed according to their instructions and building codes. Roofers who are professionals will be able to comply with these requirements.
Consider the damage you could cause to your roof if you try to fix it yourself. Even one incorrectly installed shingle allows water to penetrate the roof and cause damage to the other layers.
A professional cannot restore your warranty if you damage your roof. You may be offered a limited guarantee on their work. You may find it difficult to claim that warranty since they could argue that you caused the problem.
4. Costs and Tools
DIY roofing is often considered because it can save money. DIY roofing will not save you any money. It may cost you more than if you hired a professional. You may find that a small mistake you make when you are working on your roof can end up costing much more in the future.
Even if everything goes smoothly, you will still end up paying more for your repairs than it would to hire a professional. Few homeowners can accurately estimate roof jobs, and they may purchase the wrong materials or buy too much.
You may need to purchase more materials than necessary. Shingles provide a good example. You’ll need to purchase a large number of shingles if you only require five shingles. Professional roofers can use the remaining shingles in the bundle to cover another roof. Nails, roofing cement, and other roofing materials are also recyclable.
Roofers in Greenville SC use expensive tools, either to rent or buy. Renting a nail gun for $100 a day is possible. Renting an extension ladder, a safety harness, a safety helmet and training to work at heights may be required before you can go up to your roof. You are putting yourself at risk if you attempt to save time or money by renting the necessary safety equipment and not getting the necessary safety training.
What to do if roof repairs are unaffordable?
You should not attempt to fix your roof yourself if you cannot afford it. Instead, talk to a professional roofing contractor. Roofers may offer cost savings if you describe your situation. You may be able to avoid the cost of tearing off your entire roof by installing a new roof on top of the old one. Your roofer might offer financing options to help you pay for a new roof immediately.
Your bank may have other options for you if getting a roof is an urgent matter. You may be able to get a loan for home improvements. You may also be able to use a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) to release equity for repairs.
The DIY Roofing Can Reduce the Value of Your Home
When you sell your house, DIY roofing will also cost money. Home inspectors are likely to notice any damage or mistakes in your roof. Home buyers are unlikely to be interested in homes that need extensive roofing work, especially if a warranty no longer covers the home. Your DIY roof repairs may lower the value of your home or make it harder to sell.
5. Time is a factor.
You may also underestimate the time it will take to finish your roof repairs. A delay isn’t as important when painting the front door or installing tile. However, a delay in roofing can be problematic.
While you are working on your roof, part of it will be exposed to rain, snow, and wind. Even if your roof is covered with a tarp or a sheet, the elements can still cause damage. It is important to finish roof work quickly to reduce the risk of damage. If you are not able to finish the job on time, it is best that you do not wait until next week. Even sunlight can cause some roof materials to be damaged by changing weather conditions.
Professional roofers will finish their work faster than you can, thus reducing your roof’s exposure.
6. Safety Hazards
Roofers are exposed to dangers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2017, 107 roofers were killed on the job. 23 816 roofers sustained non-fatal injuries despite mandatory safety training and equipment. As you might expect, falling from a roof or ladder is the biggest risk. Even more, people are injured on a roof or ladder than roofers. It is possible that you lack the training to use a ladder or work at heights. You may also not have the right safety equipment.
Is it safe to walk on my roof?
The short answer to this question is no. You should not walk on your home’s roof, especially if it needs to be repaired. You could fall from the ladder or roof. Many people are taken to the hospital or even die each year after falling off a ladder. Many homeowners are injured by ladders when they don’t know how to safely hang Christmas lights.
Even if you are familiar with ladder safety and comfortable working at heights, you might underestimate the dangers of carrying heavy equipment up a ladder or those posed by bad weather. Shingle bundles can be heavy. Other roofing materials like plywood can catch the wind and knock you off your balance. It can have tragic results. Last year, a man aged 24 slipped and fell on frost on his roof.
You can also damage a roof by walking on it. You could step in the wrong spot, wear the incorrect shoes or walk too heavily. It’s best to avoid walking on the roof because it is the most vulnerable area of the roof. If you are not properly trained, walking on the roof could create a bigger problem than you intended.
Walking on a roof that has been damaged by water is dangerous. Roofs that have small leaks may suffer structural damage due to rotting supports. It is more likely that structural damage has been caused if the leak went unnoticed over a period of time.
You could suffer serious injuries if you step on a roof that is not supported. A fall like this can also cause damage to your home. Professional roofers are better equipped to handle these risks. They know how to recognize warning signs of an unstable roof, and they have safety equipment in place to catch them should the roof collapse.
There are other safety hazards to DIY roofs.
You may also risk falling when you attempt DIY roof repairs. Most homeowners are not familiar with the equipment used by professional roofers.
Nail guns are just one example. You can nail your hand on the roof using a nail gun. The nails are fired with a lot of force. The pressure of a nail gun must be closely monitored. A nail gun can cause serious damage, especially if the pressure is high.
Fall protection equipment is another important example. Safety equipment is not taught to you when you buy it. A safety harness that is not properly secured can be just as dangerous as going up on the roof with no harness.
Roof repairs that are not done properly can also lead to serious leaks and unsafe conditions inside your home.
Roof DIY vs Hiring the Pros
It’s best to hire a roofer rather than try DIY roof repairs. You can damage your roof and your house if you attempt to fix it yourself. It’s possible that you could also invalidate your warranty and end up spending more money than if a professional roofer had been hired. Unlike many other DIY projects, DIY roofing is not simple, safe or cost-effective.
You can ask questions to your roofer if you want more information about the work they will perform on your roof. A reputable roofer will be happy to explain what’s wrong with your roof and their plan to fix it. KM Roof and Home Repair also offers many resources to help you understand your roof.
Call KM Roof and Home Repair now if you need roof work done.
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KM Roof and Home Repair
Greenville, SC 29609
864-990-3252
www.kmroofers.com
Areas Served: Piedmont SC, Fountain Inn SC, Simpsonville SC, Greer SC, Taylors SC, Greenville SC, Travelers Rest SC