Life can get crazy, and finding out that your roof needs an emergency repair can add to all you have think about. You may decide to fix the problem yourself, so you grab your ladder and tools before scaling the side of your home. While anyone can “technically” repair their own roof, it doesn’t mean they should. Unless the work has something to do with your profession, it’s probably not a good idea. Roofing professionals have a great deal of experience in their field. They know all about installing a roof, and they have all the specialty tools that are needed to do a quality roof repair. They also have the training that’s required to fix your roof without hurting themselves or someone else.
Common Roofing Issues Homeowners Face
There are several reasons why you may need a roof repair, and it takes a professional to come up with the right solution. There are, however, some common roofing issues that homeowners face. Some of them can include:
- Damaged or missing shingles.
- Leaks caused by a faulty installation.
- Punctures, cracks, or holes in the roofing material.
- Damaged flashing at walls or chimneys.
- Leaks at pipe vents.
- Skylight leaks.
- Worn-out roof sealants.
Before you can fix these problems, you first need to find it. If you have a roof leak and your attic is accessible, you can find its source by checking your attic while it’s raining. Look for dips and wet spots while following the water to its highest point. Water can run in any direction (even uphill). But if you follow it to the top, you’re probably close to where the leak is coming from.
If you don’t have an accessible attic, you will have to get on top of the roof. If you know where the leak is coming from, you will most likely have a reasonable idea of where to look. While you’re up there, you should look for “the usual suspects,” which is anything that passes through the roof. Some of them can include but may not be limited to:
- Chimneys.
- Skylights.
- Vents.
- Exhaust.
- Exposed nails.
Once you have found the cause of the problem, you will need to remove the shingles (which will expose the wood underneath). If you have a leak, it has most likely gotten wet. If the wood is rotted or soft, it will have to be cut out and replaced. Once the bad wood is replaced and secured, a self-adhesive underlayment (called an “ice/water barrier”) will have to be installed before the shingles can be put down.
Reasons Not to Repair Your Roof Yourself
The first and most obvious reason why you shouldn’t repair your own roof is that you may not be able to access the roof safely. You may not have the tools you need to do the work. And if you do, will you be able to carry them safely? Here are some other reasons why you shouldn’t DIY a roof repair:
- Damaging the Damage — Repairing a roof can be expensive. But if you do the work yourself, it could cost you a lot more. You may end up buying expensive, but useless materials and tools that can damage the roof even more, and the cost of repairing it will most likely be higher. You may even need a complete roof replacement.
- Insurance and Warranty — Insurance policies will only cover damage that’s caused by natural disasters. So if you damage your roof because of a DIY project that went wrong, your insurance policy will know it was caused by faulty workmanship and won’t cover the damage. Roof repair projects that are done by professionals will usually come with a workmanship warranty.
- Lower Property Value — A roof can make a big difference in your property value. If the roof’s aesthetics aren’t up to par, you might want to think about replacing it. But, a bad DIY roof repair on the front of your house could lower its curb appeal, which can reduce your property value. So if you want to preserve your property value, you shouldn’t do a roof repair on your own.
It’s always a good idea to perform any of the needed roof maintenance to make sure it performs properly. It will also prevent any premature failure and roof leaks. This and other things on our annual roof maintenance checklist should be done at least once a year.
If you’re looking for one of the best roofers in Corpus Christi to help you with any repairs or maintenance, be sure to reach out to Bayfront Roofing.
