Don’t DIY: Dangers of DIY Roof Repair & Replacement

DIY projects have grown in popularity over the last couple of years. Whether it’s growing your own food or making improvements to your home, it seems like anything can be DIY’d! While we encourage you to put your creativity energy and handy skills to good use, you should never attempt DIY roofing repairs or replacements for several reasons. Today, we’ll cover five reasons DIY projects should stay away from your roof. 

1. You’re Putting Your Safety at Risk

Roofing is a risky job to perform. In fact, statistics show that roofers have a higher injury and fatality rate than most other industries. If roofing can be high risk for trained professionals with years of experience in the industry, it can be dangerous—if not fatal—for a nonprofessional trying to DIY repair or replace their roof. 

The biggest risk to roofing is falling. From improperly setting up a ladder to losing your footing on the roof, falls make up the majority of roofing injuries and fatalities. However, you could also sustain serious injuries from exposure to electrical components or jagged screws and roofing parts. 

Remember, any perceived savings you gain from DIYing your roof is not worth risking your health or life.  

2. You Could Damage Your Roof Further

If you see roof damage, it may be tempting to look up how to do it yourself and quickly make the repair. Unfortunately, it’s not really that simple. While there are some simple maintenance tasks you can do yourself, trying to do anything more complex can actually lead to more damage. 

Suddenly, trying to replace a couple of missing shingles can turn into a leak or hole in your roof. Even if you don’t see more damage immediately, using improper techniques or the wrong materials can lead to structural damage in the future or a shorter lifespan for your roof.

3. You Could Lose Insurance Claims & Your Warranty

Home and roof insurance is no stranger to homeowners in Florida and can be invaluable when hurricane season rolls around. The last thing you want is to need insurance coverage for hurricane damage to your roof and for your claim to be denied. But that’s exactly what can happen if you attempt DIY roofing repairs or replacements. 

If your insurance discovers your roof wasn’t repaired by a professional, they could deny future claims under the grounds of your roof integrity being compromised. In a similar vein, your roof warranty may be voided for DIY repairs. Don’t DIY your roof if you have any questions on how it may affect your insurance or warranty status.

4. Roofing Repair & Replacement Requires Special Equipment

Even if you do all the research and buy all the necessary materials, roofing is a specialized job that requires specialized tools and equipment to complete correctly. Some tools or materials may not be easily accessible to the general public. Furthermore, not using certain materials—either in an attempt to save money or being unaware of their importance—can cause your roof to be out of code. 

5. DIY Roofing Is Inefficient & Costly

When people consider DIY home solutions, it is often because they believe it will save them time and money in the long run. “If you want the job done right, do it yourself,” right? While that principle can apply in some cases, roofing is rarely cheaper or more efficient when you DIY it. 

Materials can be pricey, and you may find that there’s more damage than you anticipated once you get in the weeds of DIYing—prolonging the time it takes to complete your project. When it comes to any roofing project, hiring a reputable professional from the start will save you time, money, and frustration. 

Rest Easy Knowing Big D Roofing Is Caring for Your Roof

Regardless of your reason for considering DIY roofing, nothing is going to be worth the risk. At Big D Roofing, you can sit back and relax, knowing that the expert roofers in the Ocala, the Villages, and the St. Augustine areas are getting your roofing repair done right the first time. Put your DIY passions into safer, more creative projects, and experience roofing made easy with Big D!