3 Reasons Why DIY Roofing Is Almost Never Recommended

Written by  //  October 5, 2018  //  Roof  //  Comments Off on 3 Reasons Why DIY Roofing Is Almost Never Recommended

DYI roofing

Just because you are handy with a few tools and have successfully completed a few DIY home improvement projects, it doesn’t always mean that you can undertake literally any repair or renovation without the services of a professional. Two areas which immediately come to mind are electrical wiring and roofing. As a matter of fact, most electrical wiring jobs must be completed, or signed off on, by a licensed electrician in all 50 states!

When it comes to roofing, there may be no similar statutes, but taking on any roofing repair or installation without adequate training is never recommended. Here are three reasons why.

1. It’s Just Too Dangerous!

Consider the fact that the National Safety Council reports that there are more than 6,000 people who die from falls each and every year. Even more telling than that is that at least 18,000 people die from injuries that happen in the home. When it comes to working on a roof or any other high area of the home, most laypersons are not adequately trained in fall prevention.

For example, do you know the proper type of harness and rope to use when working on a roof or upper portion of the exterior of your home? Do you know what lengths each rope should be? Check out the Harnessland fall distance diagram to see OSHA’s guidance for professionals and you’ll understand how little you really know about fall prevention.

2. Do-Overs Are Expensive

You may be trying to save money on labor when attempting to repair or install a roof, but if you get it wrong, the cost of correcting your mistakes could be greater than it would have been to hire a professional to do it right the first time. Bear in mind that the purpose of a roof is to protect your home and everyone inside from the elements and so you will be using tar and other adhesives to seal shingles and roofing material.

What if you have your shingles laid out incorrectly and have already fastened them to the roof? What if you don’t use those roofing nails as they should be used or suddenly discover that the roofing material you ordered is wrong for the elements you are trying to keep at bay? Again, correcting your mistakes can be costly and that is something you need to think about.

3. Roofing Is as Much an Art as It Is a Science

Finally, can you honestly say that you have the talent and expertise to lay out those roofing materials so that they form an aesthetically pleasing whole? While you may have succeeded in waterproofing your roof, it may end up looking like something from a poorly laid out patchwork quilt the wife started years ago and never finished.

So there you have three things to understand before even entertaining the notion of doing your own roofing repair or installation. However, the one thing to remember is that roofing is a dangerous job, in fact it is number four on the list of most dangerous occupations in the United States, so why take the chance? You could never save enough money to replace a human life and that is the most important thing to remember. It’s time to hire a roofer!

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