DIY Roof Repairs: Here’s Why They’re Not Such a Good Idea

As a homeowner, you probably try to do most of the necessary repairs around your house yourself. This not only can save you some money, but it’s also a point of pride. You want to be able to say you fixed something yourself and you feel a sense of accomplishment for doing so. However, not all repairs are great options for DIY and as the professionals at Niagara Roof Masters tell us, roof repairs should be left to the experts. Here’s why.

Safety

Let’s face it. If you aren’t told by a governmental organization that you have to take certain safety precautions, you probably won’t take them. You’ll try to be as careful as possible, but you might skip some safety steps that could lead to a major disaster. Of course, it can get quite pricey to purchase all the safety gear you should have before climbing on your roof to fix it and if the whole point of DIY projects is to save you money, buying this gear isn’t on the top of your list.

Professional roofing companies, on the other hand, are required to follow a very specific set of safety measures. They have purchased all the necessary equipment and gear they need to ensure their safety because they use it all the time. It’s just not worth risking your health or life by trying to repair your roof on your own without following all the safety requirements.

Permits

Yes, you need a permit for almost all roofing projects. You are required to obtain at least a local permit for even the simplest of roof repairs. Now, many homeowners will forego this requirement and try to get their roof repairs done without the city knowing about it, but if you’re the one who gets caught, be prepared to pay a hefty fine. You might even have to undo any work you’ve already done only to re-do it when you get the permit.

A roofing company knows exactly which permits to get for each roofing project. They don’t take any chances because they know they can lose their license if they neglect to pull the right permits. The cost of these permits is built into the total price you pay for your repair or installation so you won’t be surprised by extra charges, either.

Warranties

Your roof and all its components are under a warranty for a specific amount of time. If you are still within that time frame and you attempt to repair your roof or install new features during that time frame, you could be voiding your warranty. This is because most warranty companies require materials to be installed and repaired by licensed professionals so that they know the roof has been correctly installed or repaired.

If your primary goal for doing your roof repairs yourself is to save money, you’re actually risking even more money by voiding your warranty. If you need a new roof during the warranty period for any reason, and you’ve worked on it yourself, you may not be awarded the money you need to replace it.

Conclusion

Ultimately, it’s just not worth the safety or monetary risks associated with repairing your roof yourself. So, if you think “it’s just one shingle,” think again and contact the pros.