Your roof is a vital structure to your home. It protects you from the elements and helps insulate your home to keep it at the right temperature. While it's great to be handy around the home, some people mistakenly think their DIY skills translate to an ability to repair or replace a roof. However, due to the complicated work that goes into a roofing project and the importance of your roof to your home, you should rethink such DIY plans. Here are some reasons to call on roofing companies instead.

Equipment

A professional roofer has the right equipment to repair or replace your roof. After all, these people are trained professionals who go through proper certification to get a roofing license. They have the right safety equipment, ranging from harnesses to ladders to scaffolding. Additionally, different roofing materials require specific tools for proper installation. Whether you're getting a metal roof, asphalt tiling, or wood shake, a roofer has all the skills and equipment needed for a successful installation.

Materials

A roof should last a long time. According to Bob Vila, the expected lifespan of asphalt shingle roofs is 15 to 30 years. However, you could greatly reduce the lifespan of your roof if you repair it yourself. After all, your roofer not only has high-quality shingles, but they also have extra materials such as protective UV sealants and insulation that can help preserve the life of your roof. They also have access to more durable roofing materials such as metal, which our contractors find can last more than 50 years. Special materials require specific and intense installation and repair techniques, so if you're trying to work on your own roof, you likely won't have the skills and resources to get the job done right.

Safety

Roofing is dangerous work. Do you understand the level of balance the average roofer has to maintain when they're on top of your roof? When you're working from that height, any trips or falls can result in serious injury or even fatality. However, your roofers not only have the equipment to do the job safely but also understand the right techniques to use when climbing up, working on, and climbing down from the roof.

Cost

The cost of repairing or installing a roof can vary based on the materials used. With that said, even if you use the most cost-effective materials, such as asphalt, you may end up spending more money and time if you're not skilled at the job. Roofers understand the best materials to use and can do so in a short amount of time. However, if you attempt to turn this into a DIY project, you may overpay for materials or spend more money down the line on repair work due to mistakes you made.

Insurance and Warranty

When you allow local roofing companies to do the work for you, they come with the safety net of insurance and a warranty. As mentioned, roofing is dangerous work, and while it's unlikely for a skilled professional to have an accident, it's not impossible. If an accident happens while a contractor is working on your home, roofing companies have insurance that'll help cover their medical care needs. However, if you're working on your own roof and suffer a major fall, you'll have to use your own insurance and possibly pay additional costs out of your pocket to make a recovery. You may also lose additional money if you lose time at work after recovering from such a fall. Furthermore, you'll still need to pay to get your roof repaired if you're unable to finish the job due to injury.

Professional roofing companies are in business for a reason. You have better things to do with your time than get up on a hot roof and try to make repairs a professional can do in half the time. Why risk injuring yourself, not having the right materials, or spending extra money by doing roof work yourself? Make things easier on yourself and the safety of your home by letting local roofers do the job they're paid to do. If your roof needs work, don't hesitate to call our local expert team at Lion Exteriors and Construction today. We look forward to assisting you!