While you know it is important to keep your home safe and well-maintained, it can be tough to know when to hire a professional – and when to do a DIY job. We have five tips to help you decide if you need a professional roofer to help you with your roofing needs:
1. Do you have the know-how to complete the job properly?
Roofing is deceptively simple. You just have to cover up space so water doesn’t get in…right? While this is true, there are specific tasks that can be really difficult for a DIYer.
For example, if you have a leak, call in the professionals. The leak could be attributed to a number of things – from clogged gutters to cracked flashing to a major dry rot issue. Additionally, there are safety problems when it comes to a leaky roof. The last thing you want to do is create a larger problem by walking on a damaged roof and having your leg go through a soft spot.
2. Do you have the right tools for the job?
You may have seen a web tutorial on how to do a roofing job, or perhaps you have some knowledge and experience in the roofing industry. No matter how experienced you are, you must have the right tools for the job and be able to haul them up onto your roof.
3. Do you know the safety precautions that must be taken?
Roof safety is extremely important. If your roof is at a steep pitch or you are worried that you can’t haul that 60 lb bag of shingles up the ladder safely – don’t do the project. Pass it over to a professional and allow them to use their years of experience and safety knowledge to get the job done right.
4. Are you comfortable with the person who is doing the job?
If your friend’s cousin offered to fix a roofing issue at an incredibly cheap price, make sure you are comfortable with their level of experience. Unfortunately when it comes to roofing, you often get what you pay for.
5. Are you comfortable with doing a DIY roofing job?
Not everyone is ready to tackle their own roof – and that’s okay! That is why roofing professionals are there to help. Before you embark on fixing your own roof, be sure that you are completely comfortable with doing the job yourself – and fine with paying a professional roofer to undo it if your quick fix doesn’t solve the problem.
There are many online tutorials, articles, and other resources out there for the enterprising DIYer. Just be sure to consider getting a professional roofer’s help with any project that you aren’t comfortable with resolving yourself.