Homeowners Should Avoid DIY Roofing
When people compliment a home’s design, they will very seldom say, “Nice roof.” When it’s doing its job, no one notices. However, all it takes is one thing to go wrong and suddenly the sky is falling. Because the roof is the home’s first line of defense against the weather, it is important to make sure it is in good repair at all times. Too often, well-meaning home owners will foolishly say, “How hard can it be” and venture up a ladder with little more than a hammer and good intentions. The money saved is not worth the risk of further damage or even injury, and the process is harder than most people think.
Few people notice a small leak in the roof immediately. Before anyone sees any sign of trouble, the rain has to find its way through the crack and saturate both the insulation and the beams in the area. The single drop that landed on the dining room table is an indication that there is a gallon of water already in the structure and the repair is going to be a lot more than fixing a cracked shingle. It is far too easy to make only a surface repair, leave the weatherproofing damaged or fail to notice the problems with the surrounding area. An incomplete repair will only let more water in and water damage can weaken the structural integrity of a house.
There is a layer of weatherproofing paper underneath the shingles and both the paper and the outer roof follow specific overlap patterns to keep water flowing towards the gutters. While it isn’t always necessary to replace the entire roof, an understanding of the process would be necessary to manage an area repair while maintaining the functionality. If a tree branch falls through the roof the cause is obvious, but if shingles just seem to break on their own it might be time to consider how much life the other shingles may have left in them as well. Rather than replace just a small area a professional might recommend a complete replacement.
To install a new roof, the old roof may first need to be removed and then the weatherproofing would be applied from the bottom up underneath the shingles or tiles. When placing their feet, roofers have to be careful not to step too close to the edge or put their weight on a weak spot, and while professionals have a system for bringing their tools up to the workspace a layperson would be condemned to make several trips up the ladder with full arms. Trying to save money is valiant, but there are far too many chances for something to go wrong when standing on the roof.
There are always projects for homeowners to work on, improving their property while personalizing the home and really feeling like a successful weekend warrior. Don’t let the roof be one of those “how hard can it be” projects. Those in the Chesterfield Township are encouraged to have their roof inspected before there’s a problem to prevent water damage or other expensive issues later. If a repair needs to be made, let the professional make their recommendations.
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