The Dangers Of Replacing Your Own Roof
While DIY repair options are great for saving money on certain aspects of home repair, the truth is your roof is a different beast entirely. After all, your roof plays a critical role in protecting your home and your family, so you cant afford to take any chances.
Not only do you risk your safety by climbing up onto your roof with a bunch of tools, especially if you have a two-story home, but you also run the risk of applying an improper solution that could inadvertently lead to even more damage down the line. Also, if your roof is still under warranty, you might void it by attempting to carry out your own repair work.
At Iron Shield, our trained and experienced roofing team is equipped to safely handle a wide variety of repairs to ensure your roof is brought back to full health with quick turnaround time.
COMMON TYPES OF ROOF DAMAGE
Identifying Roof Replacement Needs
Spring has wound down already here in Texas, and the hot summer got an early start. Did your roof survive the spring storms or is a roof replacement in your future? Maybe youre not sure and youre asking, How do I know when my roof needs to be replaced?, and thats what were going to cover in this piece today.
More homeowners than you may think wait until they can star gaze through a hole in their roof before they decide it is time for a roof replacement. The problem with waiting until it has gotten that bad, a lot of other damage could be happening. So, before you can find the big dipper gazing at the stars through your roof, here are the indications that your home needs a roof replacement and repair:
Can You Repair Your Own Roof With Insurance Money
Most homeowners insurance policies cover roof replacement if the damage is the result of an act of nature or sudden accidental event. Most homeowners insurance policies wont pay to replace or repair a roof thats gradually deteriorating due to wear-and-tear or neglect.
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Repairing Your Roof Improperly
Roof issues are jobs that not everybody can tackle. They demand specific equipment and specialized knowledge. So, do you think you can do a better job up there than an experienced and trained roofer can?
You will probably do improper work, and even you can end worsen things. Although you put in a lot of effort, you may lose your time.
Therefore, the best choice is to call a professional company.
How Hard Is It To Replace A Roof Yourself
Make no bones about itroofing is hard work. Theres no hiding from the elements. You cant be afraid of heights and you need to be pretty fit. However, dont have the shingles delivered to the roof if you still have two layers of old shingles to tear offit could be too much weight for your trusses.
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How Long Does A 30 Year Roof Really Last
Yes, that 30 year shingle is a confusing claim by roofing manufacturers. Perhaps if you have your roofed house sheltered, those shingles will last 30 years. However, that isnt the purpose of roofing your house, is it?
A 30-year shingle that has been maintained, cleaning and gutter cleaning, will last up to 25 years. The weather and UV rays will impact that lifespan. A roof that isnt maintained and kept up will last up to 15 years.
So what is that 30 year guarantee all about? That is how long the manufacturer warranties the shingles. If your roof has shingle problem by year 10, year 18, year 26,theyll replace it for free, if you have taken care of the roof.
Step : Drill Holes In A Steel L Channel
This roof repair is to get the roof rafter or truss back to the original condition, and a steel L channel is the best way to strengthen it to that point. Get a L channel that is 1.5 inches by 1.5 inches and minimum 2 feet long. Drill four evenly spaced holes of -inch in the base of the L channel and four evenly spaced holes on the side .
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You May Miss Big Problems
While you may be able to see that your roof is missing some shingles or that its old and needs to be replaced, you might not notice other sneakier issues that can be expensive or dangerous.
Some things, such as rotten beams or sodden shingles arent as apparent as a leak, leaving you with damage that continues to erode at your roof and your home. Mold, holes, or completely destroyed beams pose a risk to you and your family, and theyre far more expensive to repair than paying to fix the initial problem properly would have been.
Your Work Will Not Be As Appealing
If you dont have a lot of expertise installing or replacing roofs, youll probably end up with substandard craftsmanship and a bad-looking roof. While DIY tutorials make renovations appear simple, remember that no matter how many hours you spend watching a tutorial, you cant master a skill without adequate practice.
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Duration Of The Repair
Usually, roof damages require to be repaired quickly. Otherwise, they will get worse and costlier.
But, if you try to fix the damage yourself, the task may take longer. After all, these works require tools that commonly not every homeowner posses. Besides, you probably neither wont know how to approach the issue nor wont know the right procedures to perform the repair.
Choosing Single Ply Roofing
Most commercial, industrial, and institutional structures typically have a single ply roofing system, like EPDM, TPO, or PVC. Others large structures with expansive roof sizes have a built up roofing system. Is one better than the other when comparing single ply roofing vs built up?
It depends on the climate and environment of where the structure is located and if there is a specific goal to achieve with the roofing. A single ply roofing membrane is made from sheets of synthetics, like rubber, that are either ballasted or chemically adhered. This creates a protective layer on to a commercial, industrial, or institutional structure.
Two main types of material for single ply roofing is EPDM or TPO . They each have a different chemical makeup and how they are installed, and each have a different type of energy efficiency.
The built-up roofing system has been used for more than 100 years and commonly called a tar & gravel roof because of the layers of tar with a fabric and the final layer is gravel.
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Can You Repair Your Own Roof
The truth is, anyone can replace their own roof, with the help of the many DIY websites. For residential houses, roof replacements typically take two days the first day to remove the old roof, and the second day is to install the new one. A day or two more can be necessary depending on the size of the roof.
Can New Asphalt Shingles Be Installed Over Old Shingles
As we answered above, yes, if the roofing contractor is sure the structure of our home can hold the weight of two sets of asphalts shingles. Also, you need to keep in mind, asphalt shingles are designed to lay flat, and if they are bridging over dips, gaps, or humps, they wont be able to lay flat. If you decide to sell the house later, the inspector wont be able to do a thorough roof inspection of the decking. A big factor in a re-roofing asphalt roof installation, the warranty may be voided on the new shingles.
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What Are The Disadvantages Of Having Roof Repairs Done
- Shingle color matching: No matter what quality of shingles you have your roof, over time, they all will lighten after years of UV ray exposure. So, roof repair that includes replacing one or two shingles wont be an exact match.
- Poor workmanship: If the roof repair is done haphazardly, then a roof repair could cause more problems than it solves.
The Top 7 Reasons Why You Shouldnt Fix Your Roof Yourself
There are several reasons that you may want to fix your own roof. Top of these being the cost savings associated with doing the job yourself. However, there are good reasons why this is a project you should not attempt on your own. Fixing your own roof is not only a risky job, but you may also end up doing a shoddy job because youre not a professional.
Reasons Why You Shouldnt Attempt Atlanta Roof Repair if Youre Not a Professional
1. DIY Roof Repair Can Void a Material Warranty
If you decide to repair your own roof without hiring a professional you could end up losing any benefits youre entitled to under any material warranty. Most roofing material manufacturers only guarantee their products if they are installed by a skilled and certified professional. Attempting a DIY installation will only void any warranty offered.
2. You Can Cause Further Damage and End up Paying More for Professional Help
Attempting a DIY roofing repair when youre not an experienced professional can result to further damage hence inflating the cost of the roofing project. If you mess up or get stuck you will need to hire an Atlanta roof repair expert to mitigate the damage and complete the project, which may cost you much more.
3. Repairing Your Roof Can Lead to an Accident or Injury
4. Non-professional Repairs Can Result to Further Damage and Leaks
5. Youre Not a Trained Professional
6. You May Void Your Warranty
7. You Could Lose Loads of Money
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How Are Roofs Replaced
When you have a roof replacement done, the old shingles are torn off down to the decking. Then repairs are made if needed, replacing the underlayment or felt paper to protect the roof from possible damage from the elements. Then the roofing material is installed this is the part you see from the street.
Select A Grade: Better/best
BETTER/BEST: Laminated shingles
Instead of one layer, laminated, or architectural, shingles have two or more layers with three-dimensional tabs of varying sizes. The shingles are usually the same size as the basic three tab, but a laminated shingle can weigh up to 50 percent more, which may increase durability and come with a longer warranty.
PROS: The thicker tabs vary in size and shape for more dimension and crisper shadow lines, suggestive of wood or slate. Laminated shingles offer the greatest range of colored granules.
CONS: More expensive than three-tab shingles.
PRICE: $60 to over $280 per roofing square for special shapes.*
* Shingles are priced per roofing square, which is equal to 100 square feet.
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Theres A Chance You Will Miss A Serious Problem
If you notice a stain on your ceiling after a hard rain, you might try to patch the leak and paint over the damage. Easy, right? This might fix an aesthetic issue, but it could miss a serious underlying problem.
If you attempt to patch without addressing the damage underneath, its only a matter of time before more widespread damage occurs. Once water finds a way into your home, it just continues to create damage. Over time, the water will spread, which can lead to mold, rot and even structural failure.
In many cases, homeowners wonder if they can cut costs by shingling over an existing roof. You might be able to achieve an appealing look by placing new tiles over the old, but this fails to address the issues underneath, which is precisely where youre likely to have water damage. Furthermore, shingling over an old roof almost always voids the manufacturers warranty. Its a short-term fix with serious long-term financial consequences. As a result, professional roofing repairers dont recommend it and strongly discourage it.
Is This Your Forever Home
If youre planning to sell and move within a few years, then roof repair will be fine. If this is going to be your home for many years, youre going to raise your children here, then a roof replacement is the better option. Especially if it is 15 years old or older and youve already had a few roof repairs already, a new roof is probably overdue.
If the roofing inspection shows your roof is in good condition, then ask about a maintenance plan. This should include annual or bi-annual inspections, and gutter cleaning. Roof maintenance is key to a long healthy roof no matter the quality of shingles.
If you do think youll be selling the home within the next 10 years, a new roof could make it easier to sell. Why? Well, first thing is the curb appeal a new roof adds and second, any home buyer is happy to know they wont have to be replacing that roof any time soon. The big reason a new roof is good if planning to sell is you have a better chance of getting your asking price.
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Schedule An Appointment At Fraser Roofing Llc Today
Roof problems come in many shapes and sizes. Whileleaks are by far the most common roof issue, loads of other issues can cause your roof to lose its ability to keep your home protected and looking beautiful. At Fraser Roofing, LLC, we offer a full range of general repairs for all types of damage, and can offer professional solutions that keep you and your property safe at all times. Using premium materials and world-class craftsmanship, we make sure that every problem in your roof is rectified properly.
Fraser Roofing, LLC has always tried to be the team you can count on for all of your roofing needs throughoutSouth Carolina. As an experienced roofing contractor, we have seen just about everything there is to see with roofs, and we know how to properly fix your problem so you can continue to trust your roofs integrity. When you trust your home to us, we want to do so much more than just provide a repairwe want to earn your trust and start a relationship that will last for many years into the future by becoming your roofer of choice. From decking fixes to insulation in all shapes, sizes, and materials, we have never come across a job we arent equipped to handle for you.
Is your roof in need of repair? Fraser Roofing, LLC can get the job done! Call us today at to schedule an appointment.
Should You Repair Your Roof
A popular question from homeowners is should I repair my own roof? Obviously, with the effects of weather, natural disasters, accidents, and even time, roof repair is a reality of home ownership. While the most advanced do-it-yourself enthusiasts may choose to carry out their own repairs, most roofing professionals advise against it. Minor repairs may be manageable, but roof replacement is a massive job that requires specialised tools, equipment, and expertise. Moreover, roofing repair procedures quite often rely on knowledge of different roofing materials and the practices most appropriate for each. So, unless you have extensive roofing experience, the potential for error is arguably too high. In short, when faced with the prospect of completing your own repairs, you should probably not. Lets take a look at some of the factors that will determine the nature and extent of roofing repairs.
Type of Damage
Roofing Materials
Ultimately, fixing roof leaks requires that you find the source of the leak, the extent of the damage, and that you have the proper tools for the job. And we havent even begun to talk about safety. Roofing can be dangerous work, and if you dont have the right safety equipment, you could even put your life at risk. Yes, you can save a few bucks, but thats hardly worth it if your health is compromised. Hire a professional and make sure you get the job done correctly, completely, and safely.
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Professionals Have Knowledge And Experience
Did you know that there are multiple layers of roofing materials below your shingles? A roof is a complex system with many different components and layers. All of these pieces work together and need to connect properly to direct water off the roof instead of into the home.
Professional roofers are trained to understand roof systems and to install their components properly. They have to consider both the manufacturers standards and the standards of their local building codes. In North America, your roofer may have to be certified by the state, province, or a roofing association before they can work on your roof. Some roofers will choose to get certified by a manufacturer as well, which may provide them with additional skill and experience.
This training allows professional roofers to protect your home from the weather in ways you may not even realize. For example, when a professional is on your roof fixing one problem, they may spot another that you would not have known to fix.
Can I Repair My Own Roof?
Homeowners can learn about their roof. However, you probably dont have the time to learn everything you need to know to do a repair job. Even if you are replacing one shingle that has fallen off, many things can go wrong.
Aesthetics are Important
In order to receive the best results, a professional roofer will focus on properly applying the shingles based on the instructions provided by the roofing material manufacturer.
