Roofing: Do It Yourself Or Hire A Professional?
Some people think that roofing is as easy as climbing up onto the roof. Unfortunately, this is not as easy as it sounds. Shopping around and comparing price quotes can help save you a little money.
When it comes to home repairs,
some homeowners feel that they can do most projects on their own. While that may be true, particularly with interior jobs, it may not be the case for more complex projects. Roofing, plumbing, and electrical are three things that should really be left to a pro and they are numerous reasons for that.
One reason is that in many locales, there are strict codes that must be adhered to. Work permits must be secured, inspections must be done, and if work is done incorrectly, the house may be deemed unlivable. That is certainly something that the homeowner would not want to take the chance of. This could lead to extra expense, not to mention being a huge waste of your time.
Some people think that roofing is as easy as climbing up onto the roof, laying down three tab shingles, and nailing them into place until the existing shingles are covered. Unfortunately, this is not as easy as it sounds. In many cases, especially with older homes, there may be two or more layers of shingles already present.
If that is the case, this old material must be removed and disposed of. In this situation, a contractor would tear off all layers of shingles until he reaches the plywood that lie underneath. He would then lay new tarpaper, along with an entirely new drip edge. After this is complete, he would lay the shingles according to the recommendations of the product manufacturer.
Many homeowners may think that that sounds pretty easy, but they may not be prepared when a problem occurs. For instance, would they know the correct procedure if, during a tear off, they realized that the plywood was rotted in certain spots? On the other hand, what if they were in the middle of roofing and a lightning storm began; would they be able to properly cover the home to protect it from water damage while still ensuring their safety?
Another area where it is common for do it yourself or to run into a blunder is in the hips and ridges of the roof. These areas are the most likely to leak. If everything is not properly placed, it could end up costing the homeowner a lot of money in the long run.
Roofing is certainly a job for a professional, not a do-it-yourselfer. Shopping around and comparing price quotes can help save you a little money when it comes to hiring a crew to complete this project for you. Always make sure any professionals who use for projects on your home are fully insured and licensed where necessary.
