DIY Roofing: Common DIY Roofing Hazards to Avoid
You may have watched professional roofers do their work on roofs, or maybe you watched popular YouTube videos, DIY shows, and other online resources that make roofing exercises look so simple. Perhaps you’ve thought about giving it a try considering most DIY projects are exciting and time-saving.
However, working on your roof comes with a number of hazards that you need to be aware of before proceeding to the roof. Different tasks may require a particular type of skills, tools, and materials. Whether you intend to repair a roof leak or perform a full-fledged re-roofing task, here are common DIY roofing hazards worth considering. Please read on.
1. Leaking Roofs
Roof leaks can be very common even for well-maintained roofs. However, if you experience persistent leaks while regularly maintaining your roofs, this could mean that the installation was not done correctly. If the repairs require you to work on the underlayment and flashing, for instance, you may not have the right expertise or tools to conduct the exercise.
Shingle replacement exercises may look straightforward, but they require efficient installation to establish a leak-free roof. Such small projects could easily result in major issues. This is why it will be more convenient to hire a helping hand to ensure everything is done right the first time.
Before allowing anyone on the roof, ensure you have installed the right fall protection, such as a barrier for flat roof to keep you and your contractors safe from falls and injuries.
2. Personal Injuries
Planning how to DIY your roof inspection and repairs is one thing, but doing the actual work on the roof is another. You’ll need to use the right tools and walk on safe paths to avoid any injuries. One simple mistake could result in severe injuries or even death. There are areas where you shouldn’t put too much weight for risks of exceeding the weight capacity, which could lead to a fall.
You may also damage the roofing membrane. You need to observe other safety measures while working or walking on the roof, such as not getting too close to the edge. Roofing professionals have been properly trained on safely working on the roof, including the right fall protection and personal protective equipment (PPE) to use. Besides, most professionals have been insured against common roof hazards.
3. Additional Expenses
Some DIY roofing cases will require more time and money without the right knowledge and experience, something that a professional contractor would have done faster and at a much lower cost. This can be the case if you need to first inspect your roof and then research the possible ways to fix the issues. You’ll then need to buy the necessary tools and materials to perform the repairs. You’ll have spent more time doing research and additional expenses buying the tools required for the job.
Also, if you fail to fix the issue properly, you’ll have to redo the project or hire a professional to undo the mistake and fix it, which means more time, money, and effort wasted. In the long run, you’ll have incurred unnecessarily higher expenses.