Roofing repairs are a simple matter than you can take care of yourself, aren’t they? It is this line of thinking that has created a wealth of material for reality television shows that specialize in DIY projects that have gone horribly wrong. Roofs are one of the areas of your house where it is very easy to do damage not only to your roof, but to yourself. This is why re-roofing a house requires permits, and why, if you’re getting your roof repaired you should call the professionals.
Do I Really Need A Permit?
Yes! If your property is in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, re-roofing will require you to obtain a permit from the Cedar Rapids Building Services Department. They also have regulations about how many layers of roofing a house can have. http://www.cedar-rapids.org/local_government/departments_a_-_f/building_services/faqs.php
If you are just repairing a small section of your roof it is unlikely that you will need to get permitting. However, in either case you can talk to your roofing contractor who will be able to advice you on what your obligations are, as well as if any permits may be recommended but not required. Your roofing contractor will generally be able to sort any permitting out for you, as they know the systems, requirements and have likely spoken to the building inspectors’ numerous times in the past.
Treading Gently
Replacing a loose slate tile isn’t just a case of nipping up a ladder and putting a new one in. Slate, in particular, is very easily damaged, and one foot in the wrong place can create very expensive repairs. That is assuming that you don’t completely dislodge a shingle and end up sliding off the roof yourself. With other types of roof cladding the risk of damage may not be quite as high as with slate, but there is a certainly a right and wrong way to walk on metal sheets or concrete tiles. The last thing you want to do when you are trying to do the job yourself is cause more damage.
This is where you need to get quotes from the professionals. If you see aplusroofinggutters or a similar company in the Cedar Rapids area, they will normally be able to provide you with a free estimate.
Saving Money
Often homeowners consider doing their own roof repairs because they think that they’ll be saving money. One of the things to think about is how long it is going to take you to make the repair. Even assuming that everything goes exactly according to plan and no further damage is either discovered or caused, what is your current skill level?
If you are like most people you will probably need to do at least a little research to find out how to actually replace or repair your type of roof. This may involve hours of YouTube videos or library books. Then you will need to purchase the equipment. It is scary to think how many people climb on two story roofs with absolutely no safety equipment! If this is you, you might like to research your health insurance policy at the same time you are looking at those YouTube videos.
Depending, again, on the type of roof you have you may need specialist cutting equipment, as well as the general array of tools that roofing contractors have invested in, in order to ensure that any roof they repair is done to a high standard.
Of course, the other reason to have the right gear is efficiency. Yes, you probably can replace a section of corrugated iron with a handheld rivet gun, but the professionals will take half as long and have a much tidier finish. Factor in your time, how much it is worth, and what you could be doing with that time instead of risking yourself on top of your roof.
The Insurance Trap
Most homeowner’s insurance will actually cover damage to your roof, particularly if it is damage caused by storm conditions. However, if the insurance company is able to say that water damage or damage to your roof was caused by your actions, they will have grounds to not pay out.
Before you decide that you are the best person to do your own repair work to your roof, talk to your roofing repair contractor, ask them to provide you with an estimate to do the repairs you need done. Many people start on the path of doing their own repairs because they fear the cost of hiring a professional. However, much of the time the total cost is not actually as great as anticipated. Particularly if it is compared with both the monetary costs involved in purchasing supplies, equipment and tools to do the repair yourself, and in your own labor costs for the time it will take you to do the work.
