The Tiny house Blog

Roofing Projects: What You Can Do Yourself and When to Call a Pro

By
Jason Francis
Designed and built over 100 custom tiny homes, lived on a sailboat for 9 months, and loves to live life to the fullest with his wife and their 4 kids.
Updated on:
August 22, 2024
Roofing Projects

Image Source: Canva

As a homeowner, you need to know that your roof is probably the most essential part of your home, hence, you must never allow yourself to neglect it. At times, some roof-related problems can easily be detected.

However, in some instances, they may not be visible right away, and can only be spotted and handled by an experienced roofer. Now, there are people who think that they can tackle any problem that strikes their roof.

Although it is true that there are some issues that can easily be resolved, you need to distinguish when it is time to call a professional, and when you should handle something all on your own. 

It may not always be easy to determine the day, which is why this guide is here. It's going to help you figure this out relatively quickly!

When Is The Time To Call A Pro?

It's great if you have solid experience when it comes to different roof-related problems. However, what you need to remember is that you aren't omnipotent, and that, sometimes, you'll be forced to put your trust in a professional.

In these types of situations, you must be honest and real with yourself. Even though there are numerous minor problems that any remotely skilled DIY-er can fix, things like massive structural damage, or anything that’s related to steep roofs must be handled by an experienced roofer.

If you try to tackle this yourself, you will not only make things worse and further damage your roof, but, more importantly, you will put your health and safety at risk too! Keep in mind that these experts are not only knowledgeable but have the necessary tools that allow them to effectively repair anything.

Now, you are probably wondering if it's hard to find a roofer you can trust and who's resourceful enough. The answer is yes. That's particularly the case with Illinois, to be more precise Rockford.

Many online surveys concluded that this city is packed with phenomenal roofers. Therefore, if you are lucky enough to reside there, then be sure to contact a trusted roofing contractor in Rockford who’s going to help you successfully deal with any problem that your roof is currently experiencing. It’s better safe than sorry!

Image Source: Canva

Problems That Require Professional Help

Before you contact a roofing company or fix some problems all by yourself, you first need to determine which problem can be resolved only with the assistance of a professional and which one can easily be dealt with by most DIY-ers. Below, tasks that need to be handled by a professional roofer will be enumerated:

  • Structural roof damage – Structural roof damage is a very complex issue, and it often involves problems that are related to the support beams and roof deck. These sorts of issues can negatively impact the whole roofing system’s integrity, which is why you must hire a professional.
  • Comprehensive water damage repair – This is a problem that goes beyond the surface and can result in issues such as mildew, mold, structural damage, etc. In other words, it is a massive problem that cannot easily be resolved, especially if you have little to no experience. That's why you need to call a reputable roofing company to tackle this. They are going to execute detailed roof inspections, and, concurrently, implement different repair methods that are efficient. 
  • Roof replacements – Here's another task that can surely be described as a major endeavor and something that only professionals can handle. Don't forget that this whole process involves numerous phases and that a person who deals with it must be very skilled and precise in order to execute this the right way. It generally includes getting rid of old roofing materials and replacing them with new ones. That certainly isn't a job for anyone, but for a roofer who has a plethora of experience when it comes to this.
  • Installing a brand-new roofing system – It doesn't matter whether you are installing a new roofing system in a new home, or an existing one, in both instances, you need to rely on the roofing contractor. These experts are going to provide you with some great recommendations concerning the best roofing materials, and will, at the same time, deal with the whole installation process.

Things To Do If You Decide To Tackle Roof Problems All By Yourself 

If you firmly believe that you can tackle various roof problems all by yourself, then you should at least take a look at these tips below because they are going to help you do this properly. So first and foremost:

  • You need to have the right equipment – No matter how skilled and seasoned you are, if you are not equipped with the necessary tools, you won't be able to repair anything. Bear in mind that roofing repairs are not a piece of cake even with solid equipment like rubber-soled shoes, ladders, safety harnesses, and many others. If you are not sure what is the most essential, then you can always consult either another experienced DIY-er, or even better, a roofer. 
  • Do not rush anything – Since you are not that used (at least not as any experienced roofer) to handle different roof-related tasks, then you need to be very careful in these instances. As previously concluded, tackling these things is far from simple and easy, and walking on a roof is not only very challenging but risky as well. That's exactly why you must take things slowly, and move cautiously, to lower the risk of any injuries.
  • Gather as much information as you can – Before you begin any roofing project, it's of huge importance to first learn everything there is to know about the upcoming endeavor. Fortunately, there are a lot of places where you can provide yourself with some useful information, such as YouTube, or the Family Man website which focuses on different DIY projects

Roofing projects can frequently be very physically challenging and complicated, which is why it’s essential to go through this article and weigh all your options before you take any further steps. You do not want to risk your life just because you want to save a few bucks.

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