If you’re a homeowner and you’re reading this then you might be a DIY ethusiast. You’ve probably done some remodel jobs around the house which is great, but let’ss set the record straight when it comes to roofing.
For starters, let’s talk about unspoken dangers you won’t hear about on Youtube or a DIY blog. Professional roofers spend a lot of time walking on roofs so over time these contractors develop something similar to what sailors call sea legs. Roofers spend so much time on roofs that they just know how to walk around, even on a slick roof because that’s where they work day in and day out. This comes from years of experience on a roof.
The typical homeowner, even a DIYer, doesn’t spend a lot of time on their roof, which is smart considering how much safer it is on the ground. Without that comfort with navigating the terrain of your roof, a gusts of wind can come out of nowhere or you might step on a loose shingle and find yourself tumbling down the side of your home to the ground below. No one talks about how much more dangerous this becomes if you lose your balance on that roof while you’re carrying tools or materials like an OSB panel or something similar. One misstep on the roof can cause more damage to the roof, your gutters, and your own body. No one wants to be on the ground surrounded by materials staring up at the sky with some serious back pain.
Do-It-Yourself Roofing
If you’re still considering the DIY route after taking into account the danger to your safety then consider this next point. Roofing is a lot like baking a pastelito: there are not that many ingredients, and they seems simple, but to make a really good one, you need to know what you are doing. The main difference though between a bad roof and a bad guava and cheese pastry, is if you make a bad pastelito then you don’t have to eat it. But if you do a bad job of putting on a roof, you will have to live with it for the next few hurricane seasons or spend even more money to have your home re-roofed.
Roofing Advice
If you absolutely need a new roof to lower your energy bills and keep water and wind out of your house, but you cannot afford it, then talk to a professional about financing options. South Florida Homeowners qualify for multiple financing options, with some government programs offering 100% financing with no out of pocket costs to you up front. You can give us a call to find out what options may be available to you.
Even with that option on the table, you may be a firm believer in doing some of the work yourself. If a tiling pro is coming to redo your floors, you might want to rip up the old floor before they arrive. With roofing, talk with your roofing pro to see if he will allow you to tear out the old roof for a discount. Some roofers are so busy during the summer that they are happy to have you do some of this work.
Professional roofing contractors still need to install the new roof, whatever roofing material it happens to be. Installing a new roof yourself is not encouraged. But if you are handy and have some roofing knowledge, then removing your roofing is definitely on the table.
Tearing out the old roof is just muscle and sweat. You’ll just need to be mindful of keeping all the debris and removed roofing materials together for disposal. Having a professional roofer handle the removal means you won’t have to worry about the disposal of any of the materials and your property stays beautiful and clean throughout the process. But if you’re able to get a truck or disposal dumpster dropped off on your property and don’t mind hauling all the old roofing material to the dump, then take the discounts where you can get them.
Applying the new roof however requires a little more skill since everything needs to be done quickly to prevent damage to your naked roof while it’s vulnerable to the elements. This in combination with the danger of being on a roof, makes this a tough task for those who have little experience with roofing.
If the thought of those heights and high costs scare you, then a professional installation might be the way to go. If you’re interested in getting some help in your roof repair or replacement process then give us a call.