Why You Should Avoid DIY Roof Repairs

Taking the DIY route can be a great way to save money with home repairs. However, some are best left to professionals. In today’s post, The Badger Company discusses why you should avoid DIY roof repairs.

The Risks of DIY Roof Repairs

Inexperienced individuals are more likely to underestimate the requirements of a project. In case of roof repairs, it involves more than just patching holes and replacing shingles. One has to understand how each component — even the placement of fasteners or roofing nails — contribute to a complete roofing system. Improper repairs can give a false sense of security that can result in greater damage to the roof over time.

There is also the matter of risks to one’s safety when climbing the rooftop. It doesn’t matter if one has an extraordinary sense of balance or is only working from the edge of the roof; the risk of a fall injury remains present when one lacks safety training and does not have proper safety equipment. Additional safety risks may also be present when the roof is close to suspended electrical wires or has an unusually steep slope.

Moreover, there is another risk that’s often overlooked: you may be risking voiding your roof’s warranties if you fix it yourself. This means future repairs will be paid for out of pocket until you get a new roof.

Why Hire a Professional Roofer?

The catch-all solution is to entrust roof repair to experienced professionals. Here are the reasons why:

• Long-term solutions. Roof repair professionals have the skills and know-how to implement a long-term fix to your roofing problems. In addition to fixing a hole, a roofing professional will also identify underlying issues and come up with solutions that will help prevent other holes from forming. This also helps prevent costly do-overs.
• Quality products. Roofers have access to more roofing products than one would find off the shelf or from an online retailer, which will help avoid the obviously patched look that is common with DIY repairs.
• Less safety risks. Professional roofers are trained and equipped to minimize the risk of accidents on the job. Workers’ compensation — part of every reputable roofer’s standard insurance coverage — will help protect you from liability in case of injuries on-site.
• Workmanship warranty. DIYers are more likely to commit mistakes, and the cost of correcting them is usually paid for out of pocket. Professional roofers, on the other hand, stand by their work and have the warranty coverage to back it.

Learn more about what professionals at The Badger Company can do for your roof. Give us a call at (608) 850-6282, or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.