There is a trend today for home owners to do many home improvement projects themselves. Today, there are loads of resources that are available which can help you better understand home improvement projects and even teach you how to do things. This can sometimes be a double edge sword however. Roofing is very dangerous work and sometimes what may seem like a small repair can actually become a big problem. If you’re considering a do it yourself project when it comes to your roof, be sure to know when you should stop and call a professional roofer in Brownstown Michigan. Here are some tips to help you.
When Should You Hire a Professional Roofer in Brownstown Michigan?
Like many other industries the technology, tools, and materials used in roofing advances each and every year. What may have been a good idea just a few years ago may be totally different now. Most professional roofers will be up to speed with the latest industry standards and procedures. However, if you’re using older information to help you with your roof repair you may be setting yourself up for failure simply because you don’t have the information available to you. You also won’t have the experience to know the difference either. Sometimes it’s best to start with a call to a professional roofer, but if you decide to do the repairs yourself be sure to keep these tips in mind:
Going On The Roof Yourself
Roofing is dangerous work. Each year, many people fall from their roofs and are injured. Different roof conditions exist all the time and there are dangers that are present that you may not even be aware of. Things like dry rot in the roof decking can leave the roof weak in areas where you may fall through the roof itself. What’s worse is you may not even notice this type of damages since it is below the roofing surface. If you decide to go on your roof understand that it is very dangerous and you can be seriously injured or even killed. A professional roofer will have the experience and safety equipment needed to perform the roofing repair or replacement correctly.
Is There Visible Damage to the Roof?
When a problem occurs on your roof it may be visible from the ground. Things like blown back shingles or ‘bald spots’ on the roof are certainly signs of problems and should be repaired quickly. If the area on the roof is widespread it’s usually a good idea to call a roofing contractor first as there may be other damages that are not visible. Getting your roof repaired quickly is a must to prevent further damage. For larger repairs, it’s usually faster to have a professional roofer do the roof repairs.
Does the Roof Have Soft Spots or is Sagging?
One problem that can be very problematic on a roof is soft spots. Soft spots can happen for a variety of reasons but it’s when the roof decking has a problem. This can be caused by a slow leak that rots the wood over time or improper ventilation on the roof which can also cause problems with the roof decking. It will get weak in spots and if you walk on these spots you can actually fall through the roof. Once this rot starts it needs to be removed and the damaged are needs to be replaced.
Steeper Roofs Are Better But Much More Dangerous
Roofing is designed to shed water from the roof during rainstorms. The steeper the roof is the better because it can shed more water faster which means the water doesn’t stay on the roof as long. While it’s better to have a steeper roof when it comes to weather it can make it much more dangerous to walk on and repair. Add in the weather does not help especially when it’s snow and icy on the roof. Be very careful when dealing with a roof which is steep.
Get a Professional Roof Inspection Done on your Home’s Roof
Many home owners are surprised to know that you can actually have a full roof inspection done on your home for free. Many roofing contractors offer this service to help you identify problems on the roof. One of those roofing contractors is Downriver Roofers. Give them a call today at 734-548-9919 to schedule a roof inspection on your home. Don’t take the necessary risk of attempting a DIY roof repair, leave it to the professionals.