We get it – home improvement repairs can be rather expensive. It seems like there’s always something around the house that needs fixing. Some homeowners like to try to fix things themselves to save cash, which is understandable. It also might give you a feeling of satisfaction to do it yourself.
Some repairs are easy, like repairing a leaky faucet. If you can manage that without calling a plumber, good for you! But certain home improvement efforts can be dangerous. Not to mention that you might make matters worse if you’re not trained and don’t have the proper resources. Some things are best left to the pros. Roofing is one of them.
Things That Can Go Wrong
Safety
Source: Johan Hansson
Ladders are one of the most common locations for falls in and around the home. Not to scare you, but even if your house is only one level, you could break bones, get a concussion or worse from falling off your roof. Unsecured tools and materials can slide off the roof and injure anyone standing nearby.
And while you’re working on your roof, you might unearth asbestos (as 80% of homes built before 1980 contain asbestos). Exposure to asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer. Nobody wants that.
Faulty Fixes
If you don’t fix something right, it could lead to future problems. For example, if you don’t fix a leak the right way, it could lead to electrical problems, mold and mildew down the road. These problems could end up costing you a lot more money than it would have to hire a professional roofer in the first place.
Source: carlpenergy
Voiding Warranties
Most roofing comes with a warranty that covers labor and/or manufacturing defects. Often these warranties come with fine print that voids the warranty if a non-professional works on the roof. This is done to protect against damage if someone botches a DIY repair job. If your roof comes with a 10-year warranty, like ours do, it’s in your best interests to maximize that.
Low Quality at High Costs
Professional roofers use the best quality materials and they can get them for a better deal than the average homeowner. If you use the lower quality roofing materials that are sold in most retail stores, it could lead to problems later on. It could even cost more in the long run if you end up having to pay a professional to fix your roof.
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