ImproveIT! of Atlanta

Professional roofers are good at what they do because of practice and experience. Long-time roofers have no problem standing or walking on a roof and working at heights. It’s instinctive, a skill that takes time to develop and master. 

Even with the confidence to traverse a roof, a roofing professional never underestimates the risks. Roofers wear protective gear, including harnesses, gloves, workboots, and other items that can help keep them safe, but they are still extremely careful. Accidents have been known to happen even to the best of them.

The average homeowner is not likely to spend a lot of time walking on a roof. Even those who are not afraid of heights are not always comfortable on a roof, especially if they have to make repairs or install a new roof in the middle of the day. This is one of the biggest problems with DIY roof work.

But Why DIY?

There are several reasons people sometimes choose to DIY roof repairs or replacements, but the most common reason is money. Many homeowners believe they can save money by working on their roofs themselves. 

While it’s only right to believe in regular roofing maintenance, the caveat is that you have to be willing to spend money when you hire a contractor. Besides, whatever you spend on maintenance and repairs is nothing compared to what you might have to spend if your roof fails due to neglect or improper roofing techniques and cheap materials. Maintenance prolongs the life of a roofing system, but it has to be performed by someone who has the training and experience.

Others go down the DIY route because they want to challenge themselves. When you’ve seen a professional roofer in action, and watched a few YouTube videos, you might get the impression that what they’re doing is easy. It’s easy to say, “I can do that too!” But it’s entirely different when you’re already up there, sweating, nervous about the height, and perplexed by the complexities of installing or repairing a roof.

There are also those who think roofing is a good hobby. The short answer is no, it’s not a hobby. It requires professional expertise and commitment, primarily because roofing is technical, and much of the work is often done at heights. Collecting stuff is a hobby, but fixing a roof is risky for both you and your home.

Many might think this isn’t true, but there are countless roofing fails that can be traced back to a DIY job. Here are some examples:

Not Understanding the Risks

It’s OK to look at your roof from the ground and inspect it for possible problems. If you are comfortable standing on a ladder, that’s fine too. But climbing on your roof is a different story. If the roof is severely compromised, you could fall through it. You might also slip on a wet roof, or even on a dry roof if your shoes are not the right type for roofing.

Your personal safety isn’t the only issue here. Walking on a roof can cause damage especially if it’s old, so while you think you’re inspecting your roof, you’re actually compromising its integrity.

Causing Leaks to Form

Walking all over your roof can lead to leaks. If you try to fix a leak and do a sloppy job, you might have more leaks than before you started your DIY work. As leaks do not fix themselves, water can penetrate your roof while you’re congratulating yourself for having some mad DIY skills. 

Roof leaks don’t always present themselves. It could be a while before you notice that something is wrong, and by that time, things might have taken a turn for the worse, with mold and mildew growth, wood decay (rot), ceiling stains, peeling wall paint, and other expensive problems developing.

Underestimating the Work

Say you’re comfortable with heights, but if you had to carry some heavy tools and move roofing supplies from the driveway to your roof, it wouldn’t be the same. Unless you have a flat roof, you’ll be walking and balancing on a sloped surface that might also be slippery. Just because pros make it look easy doesn’t mean it’s a job for just anyone.

Working in Bad Weather

During a storm, if your roof leaks and you call a roofing company, roofers will visit you once they’re available and it’s safe. But they won’t be working on your roof extensively while the weather is bad. They might apply a tarpaulin or another waterproof sheet as a temporary measure, and come back when the weather is better and it’s safer to work.

A huge DIY mistake is to try to fix the roof while it’s still storming. This is very dangerous. Not only are you at risk of slipping and falling, but you’ll also be exposed to lightning. Poor weather can limit visibility, as well. And if you make a mistake with the repair, you can make a leak bigger, exposing your home to the downpour.

Choosing Materials Based on How They Look

It’s easy to fall in love with everything shiny and new, but that doesn’t mean those materials are your best option for roof replacement. Professionals offer materials that are manufactured specifically for your climate because such materials have a better chance to resist weathering and last long. They are also the best option for improving your home’s energy efficiency.

If you choose materials based on looks alone, they might look good while they’re new, but they won’t last long and might not do anything for your indoor comfort and energy efficiency.

Not Being Prepared for Complications

While trying to fix your roof yourself, you find out that there’s more damage than you thought, so you tear off all the affected shingles. In the process, you also discover that there is asbestos, a dangerous material that was banned in construction years ago. As a homeowner, you are unprepared to deal with it. Worse still is if you don’t even recognize the asbestos so you continue your work, not knowing that you’re being exposed to a toxic substance that can cause permanent health complications that lead to death.

Another issue is if it begins to rain while you’re still working on your roof and your home is exposed. And still another is if you bought the wrong material, or if your roof is too old and you replace the missing shingles, leading to a remarkable difference in how the new and old shingles look. When you resort to DIY roofing instead of trusting a roofing company, you are exposing yourself and your home to different types of risks and issues.

Wasting Time and Resources

If you do make mistakes while DIYing your roof, you would have wasted your time and whatever materials you used. Of course, that also means you have wasted your money. Then you’ll have to pay a professional to fix the damage anyway.

Don’t rake risks. DIYing your roofing can be an expensive mistake. Get in touch with ImproveIT! of Atlanta, for your roof replacement and other roofing needs. Call us at (770) 612-5635 or send us message here. We work with homeowners in Marietta, GA, and in Sandy Springs and Alpharetta, Fulton County, Atlanta, GA.