Why Is It A Bad Idea To DIY Your Roof Repairs

Many homeowners enjoy any kind of do-it-yourself projects. There is a certain satisfaction that comes with fixing up your home yourself. Do-it-yourself (also known as DIY) projects can also save you money. However, you may want to think twice before jumping into a DIY roofing project. Most homeowners are not equipped or prepared to do the job. In addition, most may end up making expensive and dangerous roofing mistakes.

Do-it-yourself projects don’t always meet homeowners’ expectations. According to a survey of more than 2,000 homeowners, more than half of them find their projects more difficult. In addition, they take longer than they originally anticipated. Although the survey included simple DIY projects, 8% of homeowners caused damage to their homes during a DIY project. In addition, 16 percent of homeowners injured themselves. The proportion of injuries and damage caused by do-it-yourself roofing projects is certainly higher.

In some ways, roofing is similar to landscaping. Those who have not tried it may think that it is quite simple. The first time they bring home a plant, they find they need to do more than just put it next to a window to help it thrive. The same is true for roofing. Professional roofers use equipment, training and experience to make their job look easy, but it’s not.

There are several reasons to hire a professional to begin a DIY roof repair project.

Professionals Are Knowledgeable And Experienced.

Few homeowners realize that roofs are not just a layer of shingles. A roof is a complex system with many different components and layers. All of these pieces work together and need to connect properly to direct water away from the roof instead of toward the house.

Professional roofers are trained to understand roofing systems and to install their components according to the manufacturer’s standards and your local building code standards. In North America, state or provincial certification may also be required. Some roofers will choose to obtain certification from a manufacturer as well, which can provide them with additional skills and experience.

This knowledge gives professional roofers skills that you may not realize. For example, when a professional roofer is completing their repair job, they may notice other problems with your roof that you wouldn’t have known to fix.

Can I Truly Repair My Own Roof?

Homeowners can learn about their roofs. However, few have the time to learn everything they need to know to do even a simple repair job. Many things can go wrong when you replace a single shingle as part of roof leak repair. You may not know how to put the shingle back on over the new shingle. Perhaps you leave the nail heads exposed to the elements, use the wrong size nail, drive the nail incorrectly, don’t nail it right, or nail it too much. Or you might not realize that the waterproofing membrane under the shingle also needs to be replaced. Any of these small mistakes could cause another leak.

It’s hard to understand how much of a commitment roofing construction is if you don’t invest time in it. Think about the specialized knowledge you have in your own career. Would you expect a professional roofer to be able to pick up his career as a hobby and complete his job properly, in a weekend?

Aesthetics Are Important

When a professional is working on your roof, they need to consider the function of the roof and its aesthetics. After all, your roof is a key part of your home’s curb appeal. It takes practice and skill to install a roof that looks good, that is, not to mention one that will delight your potential buyers.

For best results, a roofing professional will focus on laying the shingles correctly based on the instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Liability And Insurance

Your homeowner’s insurance probably won’t cover any damage you do to your roof by walking on it or repairing it without proper knowledge and skill. Your insurance company may argue that your actions were negligent, in which case you would have to pay for repairs out of pocket.

Professional roofers are less likely to make mistakes. When they do, they usually have insurance to cover any damage. Reputable roofers will also come back to correct any mistakes they have made without charging you for their additional costs. By choosing a roofing professional, you gain the protection of the contractor’s insurance and save yourself the hassle and expense of dealing with a claim denied by your insurance.

Can You Repair Your Own Roof On An Insurance Caim?

If a storm damages your roof and your insurance company has already agreed to cover the cost of repairs, can you make those repairs yourself? The laws surrounding insurance claims are slightly different in each state and province. It is always best to confirm with an attorney and your insurance company before using the funds you received on your insurance claim.

However, it is generally not wise to attempt these repairs yourself. If you make a mistake, your insurance is unlikely to cover any additional damage to your home. Your insurance company will argue that because you did not hire a professional roofer, you assumed the risk of your repairs. Therefore, making a small mistake in fixing your roof could cost you a fortune in damage to your home in the future. If this happens, you may have no legal recourse to obtain coverage for the damage.

Limited Warranties

When you hire a professional roofer, you may be covered by two types of limited warranties: one from the roofer for workmanship and one from the shingle manufacturer for product defects. Homeowners who attempt to repair a roof themselves often believe that the manufacturer’s warranty still applies to their roof. However, they are usually voiding it.

Manufacturers require that their products be installed properly, in accordance with their application instructions and applicable building code requirements in order to be eligible for limited warranty coverage.  Professional roofers are best positioned to properly comply with these requirements.

Can Roof Repairs Be Made By Homeowners?

Aside from the risk that roof repairs performed by a homeowner may void the warranty, even an improperly installed shingle can allow water under the shingles, which can damage all other layers of the roof, not to mention your home.

If you damage your roof by trying to repair it yourself, a professional cannot restore warranty coverage. They may still choose to offer you a limited warranty on their own work. However, it can be a challenge for you to take advantage of that warranty, as they can always argue that your initial damage to the roof caused the underlying problem.

Costs and Tools

Many homeowners consider DIY roofing because they believe it will save them money. However, that is rarely the case. A small mistake on your roof can end up costing you much more down the road in additional damage.

Even if everything goes perfectly with your repair job, it will likely end up costing more than the work of a professional. Few homeowners can accurately estimate roofing jobs. Research shows that do-it-yourself projects often end up costing twice as much as homeowners think they will.

Do-it-yourself roofs are expensive in part because homeowners will have to buy many more materials than they will need. Shingles are a good example. If you only need five shingles for your repair job, you will have to buy many more in a package of shingles. A professional roofer, on the other hand, can take the rest of the shingles from that package and put them to work on another roof. The same goes for nails, roofing cement and other roofing materials.

Professional roofers also use tools that are expensive to buy or rent. A nail gun can be rented for a hundred dollars a day. You may also need to rent an extension ladder, safety harness and hard hat, and you will need training in working at heights before climbing on your roof. If you try to save money or time by not renting the proper safety equipment or getting the required safety training, you are putting your safety on the line.