Roof maintenance is one of those jobs that you often don’t consider until it’s too late and the waiting time for a professional is longer than you can handle. However, even if you’re a confident DIY-er with some experience of roofing, is it really something you should tackle yourself?
Well, being confident with a little experience is one thing, But, if you prefer not to take personal risks and want to ensure you’re not missing any other important details that could result in further problems, it’s probably best to get a fully qualified roofer on board.
“Many of us enjoy DIY and have built up quite a repertoire of useful skills,” said Fulham estate agent, Lawsons & Daughters. “However, when it comes to something as fundamental as your roof, employing an expert is usually the right decision.”
Safety First
While you might be confident with heights and fit enough to carry items while balancing on a sloped roof, it doesn’t mean it’s something you should do. Being a roofer isn’t just about the qualifications and experience to spot, mend and improve problems. It’s also about being safe when your very high up and on an uneven, potentially hazardous surface.
Even if you don’t get hurt with your DIY roofing attempts, any mistake you do makeup there could result in further damage to your roof. Then you might need to call in a qualified roofer anyway, who now has two jobs to repair.
“Taking on a new challenge can be interesting and fun, but, if you make a mistake and hurt yourself it can quickly become an expensive and painful nightmare,” said Kubie Gold, Marylebone estate agent.
What a Qualified Roofer Offers
While a DIY-er might be able to touch up a loose tile or sort out any gutter-related problems, there are many more complex details that are the root cause of your problem. Things an experienced roofer would notice that a DIY handyman might not, includes:
- Any deterioration of your flashings and sealants.
- The state of the mortar on any chimneys and parapet walls.
- If any fans and vents aren’t in full working order.
- Condensation between any skylight panes which could signify a bigger problem.
- Know the signs of vermin and how to deal with it.
- Think about trimming back any overhanging branches that could cause damage in bad weather.
Even if you understand the principals of what you should be looking for with regards to any of the above-mentioned problems, they might not be as easy to spot for a DIY enthusiast as they are for qualified professional.
“Your roof is the first defense between your home and the elements, something you’re particularly aware of as the colder, wetter weather begins to come along,” said Plaza Estates, Knightsbridge estate agent. “Opting not to wait for an experienced roofer could – and often does – result in a quick fix of one problem only to have a bigger problem crop up in the future, that would likely have been identified by the expert in the first instance.”