Your roof not only protects your most important assets, it also provides your home with curb appeal. Keeping it in good shape is essential to both your family’s safety and your home value. If your roof is leaking, dented, missing shingles, or just aging, it may be time to pursue a roof replacement.
Roof replacements are one of the largest investments a homeowner can make. Because they’re generally expensive, it’s understandable that many consumers look for ways to cut the price tag. Additionally, DIY projects have continued to increase this year (largely due to more people staying home). As a result, it’s really no surprise that some consumers actually consider doing a roof replacement themselves as a way to trim costs.
However, it’s important to remember that just because you’re handy around the house doesn’t mean climbing onto your own roof is a good idea. Roof repairs, and especially full roof replacements, are projects best suited for licensed professionals. While there may be Youtube videos and online resources that suggest the project is easy, attempting to conduct a roof replacement on your own can be incredibly damaging. Furthermore, it can lead to significant damage and costly mistakes if you don’t know what you’re doing. Below, we’ll review exactly why a DIY roof replacement is never recommended:
Roofing Is Dangerous Work
Not only is roofing work complex, it can also be dangerous if you’re inexperienced. There are a number of things that can pose a threat to a roofer’s safety. The most obvious risk is falling — steep roofs can be especially dangerous if you don’t have a harness and the proper equipment. There are specialized techniques that roofing contractors use to move across a roof safely.
In addition to the possibility of falling, heavy materials and sharp objects like sheet metal can create hazards during a roof replacement. Not to mention the work can be hard on your back and neck if you’re not in proper shape. Roofers must also contend with weather related factors. In Central Florida, these not only mean pop-up storms and strong winds, but also extremely hot surface temperatures and long term exposure.
Work Needs To Be Completed In A Timely Manner
A roof replacement is a time consuming project. If you’re doing a full replacement, you’ll be stripping off existing materials down to the plywood, inspecting and repairing the roof deck, installing new materials, and cleaning up a big mess. If you’re not an experienced professional, chances are this process is going to take a long time to complete. The last thing you want is to start the process and not be able to finish it in a timely manner, especially if inclement weather sets in. Otherwise, you may be stuck with a partially completed roof for a period of time.
You Won’t Actually Save Any Money
Most homeowners set out to do a DIY roof replacement with the intent of saving money, but many find out the hard way that doing it themselves can actually end up being more expensive for several reasons.
Your roof consists of several small pieces that need to function as a unit, so one small mistake can lead to major damage or costly repairs sooner than expected. Additionally, the cost of materials, tools, and time quickly add up. Unless you know exactly what you’re doing, and are confident that you can complete the job quickly and efficiently, a DIY roof replacement is probably not worth the risk.
Most professional roofers have contracts with companies that supply roofing materials. As a result, they may be able to get high quality roofing materials at a decent price. If you don’t know where to find the best deals, you may end up either paying more or buying poorer quality materials. This may offset some of the costs you save by doing the roof replacement work yourself or may result in a less durable, lower quality roof. In either case, you’ll likely end up losing money in the end.
You Could Jeopardize Your Warranty
Roofing materials often come with a warranty that guarantees their lifespan for a specified period of time. Asphalt shingles may come with a 20 year warranty, while longer lasting materials, like metal roofs may come with a 50 year warranty.
Your warranty is likely contingent on proper installation and handling, so attempting to install your roofing materials yourself can result in a voided warranty if you’re not experienced at doing roof replacements. If you don’t know what you’re doing, then you probably don’t want to risk putting your warranty in jeopardy, as this could also cost you a ton of money down the line.
You Could Miss A Serious Problem
If you attempt a DIY roof replacement, you might not know how to spot a serious problem during the process. A good contractor with years of experience will know how to identify issues when they see them. Once your old roofing materials are removed, a contractor will carefully examine the roof deck for signs of rot or instability, which is a critical part of any roof replacement. They will also carefully inspect your roof for structural issues and will help to ensure all flashing and caulking is secure. After the project is finished, they’ll be able to carefully evaluate the quality of the work to ensure everything is in place. With a professional contractor, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that the work was done well and your home is safe. On the other hand, if you attempt the work yourself, you may miss a small issue that eventually turns into a larger problem.
DIY projects are a great way to increase your home value without breaking the bank, but when it comes to your roof, it’s best to trust a professional. We never recommend climbing onto your own roof or attempting to conduct any roofing repairs yourself. Instead, just sit back, relax, and let an experienced roofer handle all of the work.
A skilled roofing contractor will be able to conduct the work safely and efficiently. They will identify and fix larger issues that might not be easy to spot on your own. They’ll also provide you with peace of mind and complete the work in a way that surely satisfies the terms of your warranty. Working with a roofing contractor will also likely end up being less expensive in the long run.
If you’re looking for a quality roofing contractor, contact us Native Building Services & Roofing. We have over 30 years of experience doing roof replacements in the Central Florida area.
