Why Do It Yourself Replacements of Shingles or Roof is Not a Good Idea is a great topic for discussion. With inflation hitting the roof, the question remains: Can you do roofing yourself? Is there such as a thing as “do it yourself roofing”?
We get DIY questions all the time here at MY Pittsburgh Roofing:
- Can I replace my roof myself?
- Can I reroof my house myself?
- Can I put a new roof on myself?
DIY Roof Repair & Reasons to Avoid It
Can you do roofing yourself? Truth be told, it’s not recommended. There are many reasons to avoid DIY roof repair. For one, roofing is a very dangerous job. Falls from roofs are one of the leading causes of construction worker injuries and fatalities. Even if you’re experienced with other construction tasks, roofing is a different beast altogether.
Secondly, if you make a mistake, you could end up damaging your roof even further. This could lead to expensive repairs down the line. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and hire a professional roofer.
DIY Roof Repairs Take TOO MUCH Time
After realizing the roof needs to be repaired in some way, shape, or form, you are not so sure you should spend the money. So, you start researching DIY roof repairs. You quickly realize that there are a lot of steps involved in repairing a roof – not to mention the time it will take to learn and then perform the task. Don’t forget about all the tools and specialty equipment involved with the project. At the end of the day, a professional roofing team can replace the roof much faster.
DIY Roofers Make TOO MANY Mistakes
Some think DIY shingle repair can be a great way to save money. However, it is important to remember that roofing is a complex task that requires special skills and knowledge. Otherwise, you risk safety and exceed budgets.
Common Mistakes Do-It-Yourself Roofers Make
- Failing to Properly Inspect the Roof Before Starting Repairs.
- Failing to Use the Proper Roofing Materials.
- Not Measuring the Roof Correctly.
- Not Using the Correct Tools.
- Not Taking Proper Safety Precautions to Avoid Falling off the Roof.
- Not Budgeting Correctly, Resulting in More Expenses.
- Not having the right tools for the job.
- Not following the manufacturer installation guidelines and requirements.
- Many other important steps can be overlooked or skipped.
The Cost of Materials Will Be the Same as it is for the Professionals
If you’re thinking about tackling a roofing project yourself, you might be wondering about the cost of materials. Is it the same as it is for professional roofers? In most cases, yes. Will it save me in the end? In most cases, no. DIY roofing is unlikely to save you anything. In fact, it may even cost you more money than hiring a professional roofing contractor mainly because of not having the materials you need for repair and safety.
Not Having the Necessary Equipment
Not having the necessary equipment for a do-it-yourself roof repair can be frustrating. You may be able to find some instructions online or in a book, but without the right tools, it can be difficult to complete the repair. Preparation is a critical factor when repairing a roof. Most DIYer’s are not equipped with following basic equipment often needed to fix a roof:
- Large Ladder
- Safety Harness
- Shingle Remover
- Air compressor
- Roofing nailing gun
- Air houses with proper fittings
- Power tools
- Framing nail gun
- Dumpster
- Not to Mention Shingles and Other Materials in needed quantities
- Lots of Other Tools (the list goes on)
No Warranty
Just remember that you are responsible for any material damage during roof replacement if you take a DIY approach. And should you happen to damage roofing materials while replacing your roof, it could void your warranty. For example, most manufacturers have a policy that only work done by a certified installer will be warranted. This means if you accidentally damage your roof while working on it, your warranty will not cover the damage.
Low Quality Materials
If you roof your house yourself, you might end up using lower quality materials that aren’t as durable or well manufactured as the materials a professional roofing company would use. Simply put, professional roofing contractors have access to high quality roofing materials. They have many color, style, and material options for homeowners because they have good relationships with their vendors and manufacturers. The most important step is to use all necessary materials on the roof that designed to work together and comes as a complete roofing system, but not mix and match third grade materials thrown together.
Roof Repair & Replacements in Pittsburgh
A roof is essential to a home as it protects from the elements and can help extend the lifespan of a home. Therefore, it is important to have it repaired when necessary – but only by a professional roofing company that is properly licensed and insured. At MY Pittsburgh Roofing, we repair and install roofs around the Pittsburgh, PA area.
Our services are top-notch and reliable for both residential and commercial customers. We are certified and licensed installers for the GAF roofing systems and every roof replacement is getting registered which comes with the extended warranty of 10 years for the workmanship and 50 years for the roofing system. Contact MY Pittsburgh Roofing today at 412-218-7082 to schedule a free estimate.
