Do-It-Yourself, or DIY, has become quite popular over the past few years, especially when it comes to home renovations. From demolition to painting to installing new kitchen cabinets, is there anything homeowners shouldn’t be able to do by themselves?
There’s a reason why there are professional contractors who do what they do. Every DIY home project comes with risks, even if it may not seem that hard. We can’t speak for other trades, but when it comes to DIY roofing, here are three very good reasons why you probably shouldn’t try doing it yourself.
According to OSHA, the leading cause of fatalities among construction workers is falls, and a study done by the Journal of Safety Research reported that a third of falls in the construction industry were from a roof. If that sounds scary, that’s because it is. Not all damaged roofs look dangerous from the outside and it’s extremely dangerous to walk on your roof with an untrained eye. As professional roofers, we take many safety precautions and measures to ensure the safety of our workers. We also know how to navigate around your roof when the weather isn’t ideal and when it’s best to delay roof work if the weather is bad.
You should NEVER go on a roof that is potentially unsafe. If you think there is a problem with your roof, most reputable contractors will offer a free or low-cost inspection.
Many homeowners choose to DIY home projects because they think it saves them money. For some projects, that may be true. But that is not the case with a DIY roof replacement. In fact, you may end up spending a lot more money than if you had just hired a contractor.
As mentioned above, inspections are often free with a reputable contractor, and they will usually perform an inspection before starting on any roof work. There is a lot more involved to roof replacements than just replacing the shingles; the process also involves removing and disposing of the old shingles and repairing any damages that may have been underneath them.
At IBEX Roof, we’ve put a lot of thought into our process for any roofing job. For example, we use a special trailer to collect trash and debris so that your driveway doesn’t get scratched up from a dumpster. We cover up your beautiful landscape to protect it from falling debris. And we also have a thorough cleanup process after your roof work is completed so that you and your family are safe to walk around your home.
It’s hard to think about every step of the roofing process when you’re doing a DIY roof replacement. Not to mention, if you end up installing your roof incorrectly, you will have to spend more money fixing any mistakes or even getting your roof replaced all over again.
Lasty, a DIY roof replacement could mean no warranty for your roof. Most manufacturers require their roofing materials to be installed by professional roofers. So even if you are confident in your roofing skills, it’s probably not worth passing over a warranty. After all, the roof is one of the most important parts of your home! Additionally, some roofing contractors may even offer extended warranties for certain roofing materials. They may also offer another warranty for their roof work.
If you think it’s time to get your roof replaced, call IBEX Roof today for a free estimate on your next roofing project!
Summer is a great season to tackle some of those home projects that have been sitting on your to-do list. When it comes to your roof, this is an opportune time to make small repairs or even schedule a routine inspection to ensure that your roof is in its best shape!
Now is also a popular time for homeowners to consider remodeling their homes, like adding a roof to a porch, patio, or deck. Adding a roof over an outdoor space can add value to your home and it can also set up your outdoor space to be converted into an indoor space later on. So if you’re considering upgrading your outdoor living spaces by adding a roof, here are some things to consider.
You can find many DIY tutorials and videos online when it comes to adding a patio or porch roof. Even if you’re confident in your own DIY skills, though, it’s still best to consult with an expert. While a porch or patio may seem to have a smaller square footage than your whole house, you want to make sure that your roof is sturdy and can handle harsher weather conditions. A poorly designed porch roof can end up with leaks and other construction problems. It can also lead to undesirable mistakes like ugly roof lines or a post that blocks the view of a window.
While IBEX Roof doesn’t specialize in roof design and framing, we can recommend general contractors to help you get started. Hiring a local contractor is beneficial because they will know the rules and regulations of local building codes that you’ll need to consider for your roofing project.
You will likely need a permit any time you add some type of structure to your home. As mentioned above, it helps to consult or work with a local contractor who can tell you what types of permits you’ll need before starting your project. You can also visit your local building department to look up what types of home renovation projects require a permit.
The design of your porch and porch roof should flow with the rest of your house design. Depending on where your outdoor space is, you may also need to take special considerations when it comes to the roof slope.
Generally, you’ll want to match or compliment the pitch and roof design with the rest of your home. Windows, doors, siding types, and unseen framing details can also severely impact the design of your porch, so it’s best to plan ahead and know what you’d like your finished product to be.
We love our IBEX Roof customers and want to make sure your home roofing projects are completed to last. After working on thousands of roofs around Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR, we know what you’ll need to consider when designing a roof for the Pacific Northwest. Contact us today at 360-218-3104 to see how we can help you get started on your next roofing project.
Asphalt roof shingles have been used for roofing since 1901 and it rapidly became the most popular material for roofing. Even now, it’s the most common type of roof installed to cover homes. What makes asphalt roof shingles waterproof is, as the name suggests, asphalt. Often, these shingles were marketed by weight; the heavier the shingle, the higher the quality and more durable the shingle.
But as the price of crude oil, of which asphalt is a byproduct, started to become more expensive. And this led to manufacturers using less asphalt and more fillers in their shingles to reduce costs. This is why many asphalt roof shingles manufactured today are a lot lighter and thinner than they used to be. Some manufacturers are using more fillers, which really lower the quality of the roofing shingle. In fact, the shingles on your current roof may be better quality than many of the “Lifetime” shingles offered on the market today.
As a result, you may have noticed roofing manufacturers, or even roofing contractors, offer lifetime warranties on their shingles. If the pricing of shingles are going up, then having a longer warranty makes sense, right? Not exactly.
As a result, you may have noticed roofing manufacturers, or even roofing contractors, offer lifetime warranties on their shingles. If the pricing of shingles are going up, then having a longer warranty makes sense, right? Not exactly.
While a “Lifetime Warranty” sounds great, that’s merely the name of the warranty. To really know and understand what you’re actually getting from this warranty, you have to read the fine print. In fact, most of these warranties only cover manufacturing defects, which are very difficult to prove after 10 years from your installation. Furthermore, these warranties never cover the lifespan of your roof. Many of them also have clauses that limit the warranty for certain types of damage, and that’s only if you have a leak. No leak? Then no warranty.
It’s not always easy navigating through all the different roofing options and trying to figure out which one is going to be the best one for your home. That’s why it’s important to find a local roofing contractor you can trust; always make sure that your contractor is licensed, bonded, and insured.
At IBEX Roof, we care about our customers and want to deliver the best. That’s why we focus on educating our customers so that you know exactly what you’ll be getting…without any of the fine print. We are always happy to answer any of your roof-related questions. And, when it’s time for you to replace your roof, we offer a variety of options so you can choose what you think is best for your home.
To learn more about IBEX Roof’s services, call us today at 360-218-3108. Or, fill out our online form to get a free estimate for your next roofing project.
