If your roof needs repair, you might be tempted to do it yourself. Going the DIY route can seem appealing if you want to save money and don’t mind taking on a fresh challenge.
But you should bear in mind that, in the UK, 200,000 people get injured every year in DIY accidents. Injuries caused in the course of roof repairs can be much more serious than with the average DIY mishap. In addition to the risk to your health, there’s also the risk that you could make a mistake that’s very expensive to rectify.
As with many things, roofing can look simple until you try it. Professional roofers have specialist training, years of experience and dedicated tools to help them do their job.
Here are the most important reasons why you might consider using a professional roofing contractor over doing it yourself:
Professionals have more expertise
Roofs are complex, and roof repair is a technical process. For example, did you know that there are multiple layers of roofing materials below your shingles? Roofers are trained to understand roofing systems and how their various components work to direct water off your roof and away from your home.
Roofers will avoid common DIY mistakes like not pulling back the shingles above a new shingle, leaving exposed nail heads, or not spotting that the roof underlay needs replacing. Remember that a botched job may not only mean a leaky roof, it can look ugly and devalue your home when you’re looking to sell.
Using a professional will save you money
You might be considering DIY because you want to save money. However, in a specialised field like roofing, it’s quite likely that a DIY job will end up costing you more money in the long run. A small mistake means you’ll need to call in a professional contractor and you could easily end up paying more than if you’d engaged a professional in the first place.
Professional roofers can get a more economical price for roofing materials, as they can use the same materials for different jobs, whereas you will often have to buy more than you need. You also need to consider the cost of specialist roofing tools. The cost of a nail gun, extension ladder, safety harness, safety helmet and other tools can quickly add up.
Professionals offer warranties
Professional roofing contractors offer warranties on the materials they use as well as their workmanship. This will give you the peace of mind that should anything go wrong after the repair, they will fix the problem at no cost to you for the duration of the warranty period.
If you damage a roof in the course of a DIY job where you have an existing warranty, you will often find your action invalidates your warranty.
Roof repairs can be dangerous
Roofing is one of the most dangerous jobs in the UK and professional roofing contractors use safety gear and specialist equipment to ensure their safety.
The main risk is falling off a ladder or off the roof itself, and this risk is greater if you lack professional training or the appropriate safety equipment. You also have to take into account the risks posed by unpredictable weather conditions and carrying heavy shingles or other roofing materials.
There’s also the risk of stepping on a compromised portion of the roof and falling through, causing serious injury.
Think your roof needs repair? Get in touch with our friendly team of professional roofing contractors at Roof Rescue. We’re experts in anything to do with roofs, flashing included! Call us on 020 3189 1618 and we’ll be delighted to help.
