The average lifespan of a roof is about 20 years. If you live in a climate with severe weather conditions, you might have to service it more frequently.
Although some repairs are simple enough, others can be too challenging to do yourself. Of course, having a professional do it is much safer and more convenient, but doing it yourself also has several benefits.
Here are the most standout pros and cons of servicing your roof:
Pros
You don’t have to wait
One of the biggest benefits of servicing your roof is having the ability to do it as soon as the issue emerges. Calling a profession has its perks, but you sometimes have to wait for them to be available.
Sadly, waiting isn’t always an option since some issues require immediate servicing. However, if you know how to fix the problem, you can do it right then and there without having to wait for anyone.
Owning the materials
We all know that having to buy tools and equipment can be expensive. For example, repairing a portion of your roof might require you to purchase several kinds of shingles. If you have them already, then it would cost you less.
You also don’t need any special training to service your roof. As long as you have the right tools and equipment, you can start repairing your roof immediately.
It may be cheaper
You can fix certain problems on your own and save some money in the process. Some issues are easier to fix than others and don’t require much time or skill.
By doing some things yourself, you get to say money you’d otherwise have to pay to a professional. While hiring a professional is often the most convenient option, it’s not always the cheapest. However, if you have some knowledge and experience under your belt, the chances are that servicing your roof will cost you less than having to pay someone else.
Not only you wouldn’t have to wait, but you also do it for free if you already have all the tools and materials. So, identify the problem and what materials you need to fix it. Then, check what you already have and how much you’d have to buy to evaluate the total expense.
It’s on your schedule
The timing is up to you. Since you’re the one doing it, you don’t have to worry about booking an appointment with a professional.
You control when the issue gets fixed. Depending on how urgent it is, you can figure out when you have some free time to dedicate to the problem.
Plus, professional contracts often book an appointment early in the morning. Sometimes, they may not even start that day but just come for an evaluation.
On the other hand, if you service your roof, you don’t have to wake up too early. Instead, you can begin whenever you’re comfortable.
Cons
You need specific tools and skills
Servicing a roof isn’t a simple task. If you don’t have the right tools and skills, you may cause more damage. Plus, you may even put yourself at risk of falling.
Walking around on a roof isn’t that complicated, but you still need to know a thing or two. According to Mighty Dog Roofing in West Pittsburgh, one wrong step can be very risky when you’re that high.
Plus, a professional contractor has the tools needed for these jobs. Check your toolbox to see what you have. In some cases, you may have to buy additional tools, which can be somewhat pricey for a one-time job.
Finding the right tools is hard enough
The sheer number of available roofing repair products can be intimidating. Unfortunately, this problem becomes even bigger when you don’t have the slightest clue of what you should be looking for.
Finding the right tools is definitely one of the hardest parts when servicing your roof. You can’t just use anything in your household. Sometimes, you may need specific products designed for this type of work.
Things can complicate
It can be very difficult to maintain your roof if you don’t have the right equipment. Not only can it be dangerous, but it can also get complicated quickly.
You may be attracted to the idea of potentially saving money, but things can get complicated quickly once you’re up there.
Having the wrong equipment is never a good idea. It may not seem like a big deal, and you may even think you’ll figure it out along the way, but that’s often not the case.
Even the simplest task can go the wrong route when you don’t actually know what you’re doing. Sometimes, the entire thing can end up costing you far more than if you were to hire a professional in the first place.
It’s often not worth it
Even if you get to save some money, you may find that servicing your roof is complicated and time-consuming. In addition, if you have a full-time job, it may be challenging to find the time to dedicate to fixing your roofing. And, in many cases, you may not feel like climbing up there after you come home from work.
It’s a hassle, more so if you don’t know what you’re doing for the most part. Unless you already have the skills and experience, you’ll need some time to figure out how to use these tools.
As said, you might end up making an even bigger mess only a professional will be able to fix afterward. This would mean spending time, patience, and much more money than if you were to hire someone right away.
What You Can Do Before Hiring a Professional
Even if you decide not to fix the issue yourself, you can still try to identify it. In other words, it may be a good idea to see if there’s a leak or another type of problem before calling a professional.
However, many people would still advise you not to climb on the roof. Going up to the attic is fine and can still provide some answers to what the problem is.
By identifying the problem, you can evaluate how urgent it is. This can help the contractor understand what you’re dealing with over the phone.
