Is It Possible to Replace Your Roof Yourself?

Most homeowners have a DIY attitude and they may try to do as much as they possibly can around the home. Some projects are simple and lend themselves to being completed by the homeowner. Those projects may include painting or landscaping. On the other hand, there are certain projects that are not typically done by the homeowner, such as kitchen or bathroom remodeling.

One of the projects that may need to be done from time to time is a replacement of the roof. If you are handy around the home and have done many different types of projects, you may be wondering if you are able to tackle this project on your own. In this article, we will discuss the possibility of doing a roof tear off and replacement as a DIY project. We will also discuss the possibilities and benefits of hiring a contractor.

First of all, as long as you follow any legal requirements for replacing the roof, it is possible for you to do so. This would require pulling the proper permits, having inspections completed and ensuring that the property is safe if you have people helping you on the roof. That being said, a roof replacement is a large project and it is one that very few homeowners are able to tackle on their own. What makes roof replacement so difficult? There are actually several different things to keep in mind.

Environmental Concerns – The roof is perhaps one of the most important parts of your home. It helps to protect everything that is underneath it from the damaging effects of the weather, regardless of whether it is sunshine, rain, snow or hail. A roof replacement is a long-term project and there is a significant amount of time between the tear off and the replacement. During that time, the roof will be exposed to the environment and problems can occur with the roof deck or even the interior of the home.

Another issue that involves the environment is the possibility of wind. Working on a roof when the weather is pleasant is one thing but if a gust of wind happens to come along, it could catch you unawares. Let’s say, for example, that you are carrying a piece of plywood to the roof and suddenly, a gust of wind kicks up. That plywood is going to act like a sail and will likely knock you down, if not knocking you completely off of the roof. These are just a few of the factors to consider as far as the environment is concerned.

Safety – Another important consideration for working on the roof is safety. Although there may be a number of dangerous jobs around the home, working on the roof produces some of the largest hazards that could occur to a homeowner. Even if you are a cautious individual, you will still be facing many different safety issues that could quickly cause serious injury or perhaps even death. Those injuries are typically from falling but you will also be using nail guns, ladders and other equipment that could cause injury as well.

A qualified roofing contractor understands how to be safe on the roof. When you watch them working on a roofing project, it may seem as if they are not paying attention to what they are doing. In reality, they discuss safety on a regular basis so be sure not to misinterpret experience for lack of safety procedures.

Difficult Process – If you had a home that was a single slope with no protrusions through the roof, you might be able to handle the process on your own if you have some skilled assistance. The problem is, many homes today are designed with multiple slopes and protrusions. The area where those slopes come together need to be handled properly, as do any items that come through the roof, such as vents or skylights. If those areas are not handled properly, leaks could occur and that could lead to many problems.

Roof Leaks – We discussed the possibility of leaks briefly, but it is a serious concern when it comes to working on the roof on your own. In this article, we are discussing an entire tear off and replacement of the roof but even if you are only replacing a few shingles, it is important to contact a contractor. Why?

When an issue occurs, and shingles need to be replaced, it is often indicative of a much larger problem. The homeowner may be able to correct the problem by replacing the shingles, but it is really only a cosmetic fix. The underlying issue may continue to exist, and it could go undetected for a very long time. It could eventually cause moisture to get into the home, leading to issues such as mold and damage in the attic. In addition, if moisture is coming in direct contact with the roof deck, it could also cause it to rot. By the time moisture begins to show up on the drywall inside of the home, the damage may be significant.

Insurance – One other thing to consider when choosing whether to do a roof replacement yourself or hire a contractor is your insurance policy. Depending upon your policy, it may be necessary to hire a professional contractor to care for the job. You may be able to save money by doing it on your own but if your insurance isn’t paying for it, you are really only putting money in their pocket and not in your own pocket.

The bottom line is, it may be possible to replace a roof if you are a homeowner but it is not a DIY project that most homeowners would do when you consider the price for new roof. Hiring a professional, trustworthy contractor will help to ensure that your roof gets replaced properly and in a timely fashion. In addition, it will also eliminate many of the problems that you could experience if you try to do the job on your own. Knowing this, there is no better choice than to hire a roofing contractor for the job