10 Reasons to Avoid DIY Roof Repairs
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One of those tasks that seem easy at first is roof repair. It’s easy to think you just need a weekend, a ladder, and a toolkit. However, doing roof repair on your own can be a can of worms you didn’t expect. It can start as a simple fix and within minutes, it can become a costly frustrating and possibly dangerous endeavor.
Of course, YouTube tutorials make it look so easy! A step by step guide they promise to save you money and give you that “I fixed it myself” satisfaction. But the reality? Just as with icebergs, there is much more to a roof repair than meets the eye. Let’s talk about why, most of the time, leaving this job to the pros is the smartest thing you can do.
Safety Risks Are No Joke
It’s a risky business to climb onto a roof. Serious injuries—or worse—can happen if you slip, trip, or lose your balance. Falls are the leading cause of unintentional injury, death in construction, according to the CDC. If you are not a construction worker, you may not think you are at risk, but the fact is, you are. That steep slope? It doesn’t matter how careful you think you’re being. Most DIY enthusiasts don’t have the training or the right equipment to work safely at those heights, only professionals do.
Lack of Proper Tools
Fixing your ceiling involves more than a hammer and a roll of duct tape. To complete the task, professionals use specialized tools such as roofing nailers, safety harnesses and moisture meters. Such equipment won’t make any sense to buy, unless you plan to moonlight as a roofer. The result of using makeshift tools is bad and perhaps damage.
Hidden Damage Can Stay Hidden
There may be problems hiding in your roof that you can’t spot. Structural damage or rot could be causing a leak—or it could be something smaller. Professionals know what to look for and they know how to assess the full extent of the problem. Treating hidden damage with a bandage on a broken bone isn’t going to last very long.
Warranties and Insurance May Be Voided
Most roofs come with warranties, though they are usually very strict. Those warranties can be voided faster than you can say “shingle” when you attempt repairs yourself. The same is true for your homeowner’s insurance. If your DIY project leads to more damage, your insurance company may not pay for the new repairs.
The Learning Curve Is Steep
No matter how many videos or articles explain roof repair, it’s not something you can learn in an afternoon. People spend years perfecting their craft. A lot of your first attempt will be trial and error—and I mean error. You might have done more harm than good, by the time you get it right.
Weather Can Ruin Your Timing
Have you ever attempted to work outside on a windy day and the rain begins to fall? Imagine doing that standing two stories up on a slanted surface. While roofers learn to time their repairs in order to avoid weather problems, DIYers are often forced to wait on happenstance and the mercy of Mother Nature. You can end up with more of a mess than you began with from just one unexpected rain shower.
The Cost of Mistakes Adds Up
Are you thinking hiring a roofer is expensive? Wait until you try to mess with DIY repair and botch it. Over time, more damage is done with incorrect installations, incomplete fixes, or missed problems. HomeAdvisor says that it can cost 20 percent more to repair roofing mistakes when you did the job yourself instead of hiring a pro in the first place.
Aesthetics Matter
A fixed roof may work fine (for a time), but it may also look like Frankenstein work. If you are planning to sell your house, a poorly repaired roof will be a red flag for potential buyers. Not only are professional repairs functional, they blend in with the rest of your roof.
You Don’t Know the Latest in Building Codes
Laying down shingles isn’t the only thing roofing is about, it’s also about following local building codes. In fact, most homeowners do not know this and a minor oversight can result in fine or even redo the whole repair. Professionals know what’s needed and they get it done right the first time.
It’s Physically Exhausting
Ever try hauling heavy materials up a ladder under the hot sun, you know it’s no easy task. Whatever you think of roofing, it’s back breaking work and hard even for the pros, so unless you’ve been secretly training for a roofing marathon, you’ll probably be sore, exhausted, and regretting your decision.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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