So you have a leak. How hard could it be to grab your ladder, climb up on the roof, and refasten a loose shingle? Well, if you don’t know what you’re doing, you may end up regretting it if you attempt your own roof repairs.
It might sound like a good idea to avoid hiring a pro and save yourself a few dollars with some do-it-yourself roof repair, but it could actually end up hurting you in the long run—potentially quite literally! Here are five reasons why you should avoid DIY roof repairs at all costs.
1. DIY Roof Repairs Can Void Material Warranties
Many roofing materials come with extended warranties that can cover your roof for decades. Some materials even come with 50-year warranties! Like most things under warranty, there are about a dozen ways to void that warranty. One of which is performing DIY roof repairs.
Of course, this depends on the type of warranty, but in many cases, doing repairs yourself will void any material warranty that you might have had. Only hiring a professional will give you the repairs you need without voiding your decades of protection.
It’s best to avoid DIY if you want to keep your roof’s existing warranty intact.
2. You Might Miss Underlying Problems
You might think your problem is just a simple leak, but what if your decking is rotten from water damage? When you plug the leak (which might be easy enough to do yourself), you’re essentially putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg; it’s not really going to fix the problem.
When doing roof repairs yourself, there’s a good chance you could miss an underlying problem hurting your roof—especially if you aren’t familiar with roof repair in the first place. A professional will be able to check your roof from top to bottom to make sure there’s nothing much bigger going on. They’ll also be able to give you expert advice to prevent damage in the future.
3. It’s More Expensive in the Long Run
Remember those minor issues you missed from the last section? Well, small issues can turn into expensive problems if they’re not fixed.
If you plugged the leak but didn’t repair the rotten decking, you could start a series of worsening problems, up to and including that your entire roof could collapse if the rot gets bad enough!
Plus, if you’re not familiar with roof repair, you could just make the problem worse. Then, you’ll have to hire a professional anyway to fix a bigger issue (which will cost more money). Either way, it’s cheaper to skip the DIY and just hire a pro to begin with.
4. You Can Need a Permit for Roof Repairs
Do you know all the Kitsap County building codes? Probably not. But a professional roofer does! Depending on the scope of repairs, many roofing jobs require a permit. If you decide to “DIY” some roofing repairs that require a permit, you could be out of compliance with local regulations.
In many areas (Kitsap County included), only a professional contractor can apply for a permit to ensure the work follows all building codes and is performed in a safe manner. While you might not need a permit for smaller roofing jobs, it’s still a good idea to hire a professional to make sure everything complies with local regulations.
5. It’s Dangerous
And finally, roofing jobs are simply dangerous. When you’re climbing ladders and working on a slanted (sometimes slippery) surface, there’s always a possibility you could slip and fall—especially if you don’t have professional-grade safety equipment.
Don’t put yourself in harm’s way. Hire a roofing company to do your repairs and relax while they handle all the issues. It’s much safer sitting on the couch than working on your roof!
Don’t DIY: Hire the Pros at Cloise & Mike Construction for your Roof Repairs
With the potential to cause more damage to your roof, home, and potentially yourself, DIY roof repairs simply aren’t worth it. In the long run, you’ll end up saving a lot of time, money, and effort by hiring a roofing professional in the first place.
If you need roofing repairs, make sure you hire a contractor who knows what they’re doing. At Cloise and Mike Construction, we’ve been helping Seattle-area homeowners with their roofing problems for 20 years. We can find the underlying problems with your roof to keep the world-famous Pacific Northwest rain off your head for years to come. Contact us for a free roofing estimate, and keep your roof in tip-top shape.