Spotting Roof Trouble Early

Spotting Roof Trouble Early

Should You Install Your Own Roof?

by William Gerard

Some homeowners just live for the opportunity to work on their house. Whether that's performing simple maintenance or doing minor repairs, some people get a decent amount of pride and a sense of ownership from being able to take care of their house.

There's nothing wrong with that feeling — as a matter fact, being able to handle issues around the house is a good thing — but there are certain jobs that a professional should handle, such as roof installation. Not only is installing a roof incredibly difficult, but it can also be dangerous if not done appropriately. Other reasons to strongly consider having a professional do this for you are outlined below.

Safety

As mentioned above, safety should be the number-one factor in determining whether or not a home repair job is something you should tackle. When it comes to roofing, another variable is added to the equation: height. Every year, many people are taken to emergency rooms for fall-related injuries, a substantial amount of which happen as a result of people working on roofs. When you consider the different types of materials that are available, it makes logical sense to leave this project in the hands of a professional. Slate, for instance, is extremely heavy, and without at least a few people to carry the shingles up for you, you won't be able to quickly install a roof by yourself.

Cost

There's no doubt that one of the appeals of doing your own roof installation is the perceived savings on labor that will accompany it. After all, if you can afford to take a few weeks off work to carry asphalt shingles on top of your house, why shouldn't you? The reality is that without a proper working knowledge of how roofs operate, you could be setting yourself up for a lifetime of repair bills down the road. A nail that is driven through pipe or a support beam that is not attached properly can cause low spots and water leaks within days, causing you to need roofing repairs, not to mention the fact that the tools and resources that you'll need to finish the job are usually bought by the roofing company at a significant discount straight from the dealer, so even if you can acquire the right resources to get the job done, you'll be paying market rates at least.

Efficiency

Today's roofs are not just ways to protect your home from the elements; they're also remarkably energy efficient as well. Newer roofs can save homeowners substantially on energy costs; indeed, most homeowners invest in them for that very reason. A faulty roof installation, however, means that your roof will not only not accomplish that, but could actually lose more energy than your old roof did. If you want to take advantage of the energy efficiency of today's materials, you should let a professional install it for you.


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About Me

Spotting Roof Trouble Early

Do you know how to tell if you have problems with your flashing, loose shingles, or damaged tar pitch? Well, I didn't either until I experienced some of those issues on my own. One day, I realized that my roof was leaking and that I needed to find a solution fast. After contacting a professional roofing company, they were able to solve my troubles and teach me the signs of trouble. I want you to avoid the same types of hassles, which is why my blog is filled to the brim with information about roofing and home ownership. You never know, these tips could really come in handy!

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