Many homeowners choose to do roofing tasks without professional help because it seems convenient. Apparently, most roofing jobs are not as hard as you assume, but that does not always imply they are safe. While it is always important to regularly check your roof for damages or potential threats, doing these tasks without professional help can be risky to some point. Besides, being easy doesn’t eliminate the fact that a qualified expert did your initial roofing. So, if you don’t know how to access your roof, call your local contractor.
Among the signs that you should always look for when inspecting your roof includes chances of peeling paint, mold growth on the walls or ceiling, shingles that are missing as well as, leaks. Also, ensure that the gutters are free of debris. If you note any problem, you always have two choices; you can either do it yourself or call a roofing expert. The question is, which one will save you a lot of trouble? Here are some of the DIY roofing pros and cons.
Advantages of DIY roofing
* It is convenient – Since it is your decision to do it alone, they is always no pressure. You can always arrange to do the job at your own convenient time.
* It is cost friendly – If you know what you are required to do to put your roof back together, you won’t need to hire any professional help. This might save you some money.
Disadvantages of DIY roofing
* Can be exhausting – Roofing tasks are never easy as they seem. Tasks such as getting to the top of the roof, pulling shingles and more, requires much strength as well as endurance. Another drawback is that you will have to spend a lot of time on the roof exposing yourself to the sun.
* It is risky – To perform a roofing task, you will be forced to climb a ladder with heavy, and sharp tools to get to the top. Doing this can be risky, especially if it is your first time. If you accidentally fall, you need to know how to land safely or else; you can get severe injuries.
* Time consuming – Damaged roof can take more time to put together. Clearly, if you are working, it might be hard to find time to do the job perfectly. If you are a full-time employee, you might have to use all your weekends until you complete the job. While this might save you some few dollars, it will restrict you from enjoying your life as usual. The question is, is it worth it?
* You may have to buy tools – Apparently, you will save yourself some dollars by not hiring a contractor. But do you have the tools? If not, you might have to pay some large sums of money to buy the right tools that will get the job done. The worst part is, you might not need the tools again.
* No coverage for damages – You are responsible for the overall result of your roofing, meaning that you cannot sue anyone for your mistakes. If you missed out something while doing the repair, you might need to hire a helping hand from another contractor which can be expensive.
It is easy to think that roofing installation is easy, but that fact is, it is a complicated process that requires a variety of tools, materials, and expertise to put it together. Highly qualified roofing professionals take years to understand what they are required to do fully. For many years, they learn a variety of skills that involves handling tools and materials, securing your roof and most importantly, doing the right thing.
While it isn’t a bad thing to perform roofing tasks yourself, it is always important to put in place some safety measures to prevent any accident or inconvenience. Here are some few tips you can always use. But remember, these are just some few tips that will help you stay safe. So, do your research before making a decision to perform any task related to roofing.
Safety tips for DIY roofing
• Wear shoes with better traction
• Have a helmet on your head when working. It might save you if you happen to fall.
• Ensure that the roof you are working on is dry
• Use new tools that are not broken or shaky
• Wear goggles for the safety of your eyes.
• Secure your ladder so that it doesn’t fall.
• No child or pet should be found in your working area.
• Organize your working space
• Stay away from danger areas
• Don’t be too hasty when climbing the ladder
• Remove every tool from your working space immediately you finish working.
• Be careful when handling heavy items
The bottom line
The fact is, DIY roofing has its pros and cons, but what matters most is what you get out of it. So, stay safe and remember, if you are stuck in any way, you can always make a connection with a CAF-certified professional roofer near you.
