Ritco Group, Inc.

Thanks to the advancements in technology, DIY home improvement and new construction projects are becoming more accessible. With one tap on your phone, you can access thousands of results on how to repair sink drains, hang new doors or install new flooring. However, some home improvement projects are best left to the pros, including roof repair.  

When your roof sustains damage following a recent storm, you may be tempted to get up on the roof, find the damage and fix it yourself. However, this may not be the best approach. Roofing work is a complex task, so it’s best to hire a professional roofing contractor for repairs. These experts have the right qualifications and experience that the average homeowner usually lacks. 

DIY roof repairs may sound exciting, but it’s not a good idea. Here’s why.

Roofing Work Is Dangerous

Roofing work means that you need to use ladders or scaffolding to access the roof surface for repairs. As such, it’s easy to hurt yourself during a roof repair. Since you don’t have access to safety equipment, the risk of falling off your roof is high. Remember, even a fall from a single-story home could still be life-threatening. This is why reputable roofing companies have workers’ compensation and general liability insurance in the event an accident occurs. 

In addition to falling, there are still many ways of hurting yourself due to a DIY roof repair. You may trip over roof vents, for example, or accidentally touch a live power line. There are also the dangers of stings from insects, such as wasps and bees, which may be extremely fatal to those who are allergic. These animals may have built nests on your roof, chimney or nearby trees. If you disturb them while repairing your roof, they may end up hurting you. 

Roofing Work Is Very Complex

Your roofing system is one of the most important parts of your home. After all, it maintains the integrity of everything beneath it and serves as your first line of defense against extreme weather conditions. For this reason, roofing work isn’t as easy as slinging down a few shingles or patching up leaking holes. In fact, the skills needed to replace shingles and fix leaks take time to develop. 

Homeowners who are unfamiliar with roofing issues may misdiagnose the problem as well. In the worst-case scenario, you could worsen the damage in the process of trying to repair it. One example is putting a nail in the wrong part of roofing flashing and causing a leak. Thus, you can’t take chances with amateur repairs. When it comes to roofing work, be sure to hire a professional for the job. 

Roofing Work Is a Costly Task

Many homeowners mistakenly assume that they’re saving money by performing DIY roof repairs instead of hiring their local roofing companies. In reality, however, doing so will cost you more because of increased material prices. Roofing companies work on hundreds of roofs every year, which is why they buy materials and tools in bulk. This way, they keep their costs low and pass their savings to you. 

If you buy roofing materials, such as shingles, felt paper, flashings and nails, on your own in small quantities, you end up paying a premium price. This can inflate your roof repair project budget significantly. Instead of saving money, you pay more than hiring a roofer in the first place. 

You May End Making Mistakes

Since you have no prior experience repairing leaks or replacing missing shingles, performing roofing work on your own can lead to multiple attempts. When you have a lot of false starts, you delay actually fixing the damage. Therefore, roof leaks have more time to sneak into your interiors and wreak havoc on your furniture and belongings. 

To fix these roof repair mistakes, you may eventually have to bring in professional roofers who are experts in roofing new construction work. These qualified roofers will likely have to remove your flawed work to repair your roof correctly. This can result in increased expenditure in the future due to faulty work. 

You May Not Like the Results

Although roofs should be functional first and foremost, they should look good as well! Keep in mind that they play a major role in the curb appeal of residential properties. This is particularly important if you are planning to sell your home soon. If you choose to perform roofing work yourself, you may end up with results you might not like. For instance, properly aligning shingles and making sure everything is straight can be difficult. Even if you finish DIY repairs without a scratch on your body, you may not like how your roof looks. 

When it comes to roofing work, it’s best to hire a professional. No amount of researching, reading and watching how-to videos can help you get the knowledge and skills of a certified roofing contractor. These pros will ensure your roof retains its beauty and even complete the job in a relatively shorter time than the amateurs can. 

You May Void Your Warranty

Roofing companies generally offer a warranty on any roof work they perform at home to provide confidence in their services. The roofing warranty also serves as a safety net should issues arise because of faulty materials or poor workmanship. However, most warranties have a clause that prohibits unauthorized repairs. 

This means that if you attempt to perform roof repairs or replacements yourself, you may void your warranty and get no guarantees. If your roof sustains damage for any reason, you will be responsible for the costs. To avoid voiding your warranty, consider hiring a roofing professional for roof repairs.

DIY roofing jobs cause more problems than it actually solves. To minimize the risks associated with repairing your roof yourself, get in touch with the roofing professionals at Ritco Group, Inc. Whether you need roofing or new construction services, rest assured that our team is committed to assisting you with your project. Give us call at (931) 381-0175, or fill out our online contact form to set an appointment. We proudly serve homeowners in Columbia, Franklin and Brentwood, TN.