The truth is that anyone can replace their own roof, with the help of the many DIY websites. For residential homes, roof replacement usually takes two days: the first day to remove the old roof and the second day to install the new one. Ultimately, my answer is yes, you can repair or replace your own roof, but I rarely suggest that you try it. There are too many ways to cause damage to the roof or to yourself if you don't take proper precautions, and ultimately these can end up costing you much more than the money you saved by NOT hiring a qualified contractor in the first place.
That said, choose a contractor carefully and do some research, don't hire the first guy who pulls up in a van with a hammer. Make sure you're licensed and insured and have the right qualifications to do the job well. DON'T think you'll save money by hiring the cheapest guy, most of the time they'll cost you much more in the long run. Check with the BBB to verify a contractor's credentials and how long they've been in business.
The short answer to the basic question is yes, you can re-roof your house. Peeling old shingles; preparing the roof with subfloor, drip edge and cover; and installing new shingles is quite simple. You don't need a lot of tools, and you probably already have most of the tools you'll need. Work can be hard and dirty.
It can also be rewarding to stay behind and look at your newly covered roof with shingles. Given the importance of a roof, most homeowners choose to have roofing services performed by a professional roofer. However, some homeowners give up on roofing contractors and instead take a “do it yourself” approach. If you decide to become your own roofer, there are a few important things to know, starting with the laws and regulations related to home renovation projects, such as the installation of roofs.
Localities and municipalities differ in their requirements, so it's important to know exactly what is required to comply with the laws and regulations of your roofing project. Some locations require building permits for large roofing projects, such as structural roofing work or the replacement of all shingles, but not for minor repairs. Permits help a municipality ensure that the work being done complies with local building codes. Usually, if you are the homeowner and do all the work yourself (i.e.
If I were to use a professional roofing company, they would take care of the permits. Although there are hundreds (or even thousands) of guides and videos on the Internet on how to change your own roof, it's not as easy as it sometimes seems. In addition, there are other things you should know before embarking on a DIY roof installation project. When you work with a roofing contractor, they can help you decide on the right materials, colors, styles and other roofing options.
Without professional help, every decision is up to you and the options can quickly become overwhelming. Keep in mind that it takes a whole day or more for a team of professional roofers to replace even the most basic roof, doing it yourself requires you to spend a block of time. Since you don't want to leave the roof bare, the new roofing material should be applied as quickly as possible after removing the old material. Most roofs have a slope, and even flat roofs rise above the ground.
The risk of personal injury or death is present even for professionals who are used to walking and working on roofs. In fact, a third of the fatal accidents that occur on construction sites are due to falls from roofs. As with most things, the right tools will make the roof installation faster and the end result better. Professional roofing companies have a variety of tools including air compressors, saws, ladders, nailers and scaffolding that most homeowners don't have.
Some roofing materials are more difficult to install than others. Asphalt shingles are fairly straightforward, and a practical homeowner should be able to at least repair a shingle roof. Metal roofs, on the other hand, require special knowledge that the average homeowner does not possess. Replacing a roof usually requires that old roofing material be removed and discarded.
If you are doing the project yourself, you will be responsible for taking old roofing materials to a proper disposal facility and for cleaning the area around the house. If your roof is being replaced due to damage that would be covered by home insurance, the claim may not be paid unless the work is done by a licensed roofing contractor. In addition, if there is damage to a roof that was installed by the owner, insurance companies may deny the claim. Our technology-based roof inspections are performed by certified drone pilots using the same software they use and trusted by major insurance companies.
Reflecting our focus on our customers, we offer roof financing options to help homeowners pay for a new roof or major roof repairs. If you have more technical experience, replacing a roof on your own will save you thousands of dollars in labor costs, but be realistic about your skills and strength. From keeping your house weatherproof to limiting its external appeal, there's a lot at stake in your roof. Here's when you should, when you shouldn't and what you should know about roof replacements and repairs to help you decide.
Echoing the colors of the house on a roof tile (one or two shades darker) is an easy way to get a unified look. A complete resource that includes the best materials and the right techniques to build a robust, attractive and leak-free roof in any home. This synthetic layer, which replaces felt paper, covers the entire roof cover and is the second line of defense against leaks, after shingles. Self-adhesive underlayment for roofs (often called the “lower layer of ice and water”) can prevent this because it adheres to the roof cover to seal off water.
This is how your contractor will rebuild your roof after tearing it down to a 3⁄8-inch plywood sheathing or roof covering. However, it's important to realistically assess whether a self-made ceiling installation will actually save money in the long run, and whether it's worth any additional initial costs to give you peace of mind knowing that your roof has been properly installed by professionals. If you don't know what you're doing, just walking on your roof can damage the shingles, not to mention safety issues, such as falling off the roof and damaging yourself. Felt paper, also called tar paper or construction paper, helps expel water that settles under shingles, protects asphalt shingles from wood roof resins, increases roof fire resistance, and helps keep the house dry if it rains while working.
If you have T-lock shingles, you'll have to replace the entire roof because they've been discontinued, but insurance will generally cover the cost of the new roof. Performing a proper roof installation is the same regardless of who does it, although the process varies depending on the roof structure and the chosen roof material. . .
