How to Avoid Common DIY Roofing Hazards
DIY and roofing projects can be a dangerous combination, especially for the inexperienced and untrained. Working on roofs can be hazardous if you don’t follow safety protocols—even if your roof isn’t that steep.
Learn how you can avoid common DIY roofing hazards from injuries to lack of experience by playing it smart and safe.
Roofing hazards are why professional roofers are always equipped with safety equipment and the appropriate gear that allow them to safely spend long periods of time on roofs. While you may not have the same equipment and gear for a DIY roofing project, you should still follow safety guidelines while working on a roof.
Common DIY Roofing Injuries
Injuries are the most frequent result of DIY roofing projects—and the most serious. Working on a roof is dangerous, and as mentioned previously, it’s why professional roofers always use safety equipment and safety gear on the job. Taking on roofing repairs yourself means spending hours—or an entire day—on a steep roof where the risk of bodily injury is much greater than other projects, like a simple painting job or a plumbing fix.
It’s recommended that homeowners prepare themselves by correctly using a ladder, wearing reliable and appropriate boots, having a friend or family member act as a spotter, and to never attempt to climb a roof in adverse weather. Even a windy day could mean falling off the roof and hurting yourself.
Common instances that lead to roofing injuries include hurting yourself by using the tools incorrectly, falling off ladders, slipping on the roof’s surface (for example, if you’re up there fixing warped shingles, they could be the culprit of a slip and fall), falling while trying to carry equipment and materials up to the roof, or getting off-balance or failing to see the rooftop’s edge, causing you to fall and injure yourself.
Voided Roof Warranty
When you have your roof professionally replaced, you’ll receive a roof warranty that comes in handy should any damage occur within the allotted timeframe. Many professional roofing contractors can guarantee a warranty for years thanks to their high quality materials they use as well as their certification, training, and experience.
Doing the work yourself, however, means you’d void the warranty previously in place. Should a storm occur, and your roof be subject to the damage with no warranty, you could be stuck with expensive repairs that are no longer covered.
Sure, you may have saved a few bucks by repairing the roof yourself, but in the long run, it’s more harm than good. Keeping the warranty in place is more important than saving whatever you’d spend on a broken or missing shingle. Additionally, it’s a much better deal to have an expert roofing contractor repair or replace a roof because of their better materials and experience than try to do it yourself.
Subpar Materials
A mistake in do-it-yourself roofing projects is ending up with lower quality materials that just aren’t as durable or well manufactured as the roofing materials you’d get from a professional roofing company. Professional roofing contractors simply have access to high quality roofing materials. They establish relationships with their vendors and manufacturers that allow them to have a slew of colors, styles, and material types as options for homeowners.
Using lower quality materials on your roof can mean that they won’t last nearly as long as the materials a professional would install. You could limit the lifespan of your roof and subject parts of your home to water damage. Materials that aren’t designed well won’t hold up to torrents of rain or storms, so leaks, mildew, mold, and structural or foundational damage can occur over time. You may think you’re saving money by skimping on roofing material costs, but in the end, you’ll pay more in expensive repairs.
Lack of Experience
Roofing is a tricky job and you can’t exactly watch a bunch of Internet videos and become an expert overnight. Roofing contractors are trained and certified in what they do. They are experienced in using the right tools and equipment and have the knowledge of how to install a roofing system, what materials are best used, and how to troubleshoot any problems that could arise. An average person attempting a DIY roof fix may think they know what they’re doing but could leave out crucial steps.
Risking your roof isn’t something you want to do. There’s much more to roofing projects than meets the eye, like choosing the right materials, using the tools and equipment necessary, and how to correctly repair shingles or replace parts of the roofing system.
Need a Roof Repaired? Call the Professionals
Don’t set yourself up for a future of expensive repairs, water damage, mildew, mold, and leaks! You may think fixing your roof is a quick and cheap permanent fix, but over time, you’ll see how a DIY solution doesn’t last compared to a professional’s work.
At Feldco, we provide a breakthrough design and triple layer protection to keep your roof insulated throughout the year. For a roof replacement, our installers are factory trained, experienced and professional to get the job done correctly. Get a free quote today.
