Your roof is one of the most vital parts of the structure of your home. It is the part of your house that needs to be strong enough to stand up to all kinds of weather, from the scorching sunlight of summer to the hail storms of spring. It is important to do everything you can to properly maintain your roof, but sometimes serious damage still occurs and you need to provide roof repairs. In cases like these, you need a professional for roof repairs.
It’s tempting to want to save money and take care of those roof repairs on your own, but here are 3 reasons you should hire a professional to take care of the job.
1. Safety
As important as it is to make sure your roof is structurally sound, it is even more important that you are keeping yourself safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 150,000 Americans require medical treatment as a result of roofing accidents every single year. Falls from heights remain one of the leading causes of serious workplace injuries and fatalities in the construction industry, with roofing being particularly hazardous.
Any professional for roof repairs undergo extensive safety training and utilize specialized equipment designed specifically for roof work. They use commercial-grade harnesses, anchor points, guardrails, and personal fall arrest systems that most homeowners don’t have access to. Additionally, they understand how to navigate different roof pitches and materials, which vary significantly in terms of slip resistance and stability.
Weather conditions further complicate roofing safety, as surfaces can become dangerously slippery when wet, icy, or covered with morning dew. Professionals know when conditions are unsafe and how to adjust their approach accordingly.
When you hire a professional for roof repairs, they will have all of the proper equipment, knowledge, and safety training to complete your roof repairs, giving you peace of mind and letting your feet stay firmly (and safely!) planted on the ground.
2. Prevent Further Damage
Something may seem like an easy fix, but when you try to do the repairs yourself, you run the risk of making the problem worse. There may be more damage there than meets the eye and it’s easy to damage your roof even more, even when you have the best of intentions.
What appears to be a simple shingle replacement might actually be concealing water damage to the underlayment or decking beneath. Without proper diagnosis, you might address the symptom while leaving the underlying cause untreated, leading to more extensive and expensive repairs down the line.
A professional for roof repairs are trained to identify signs of water intrusion, rot, mold, and structural weaknesses that might not be obvious to the untrained eye. They can spot early warning signs of potential problems and address them before they become major issues. For example, they know that a small water stain on your ceiling could indicate a much larger problem with your roof’s flashing, valleys, or penetrations.
Additionally, professional roofers understand the complex interplay between different roofing components. Your roof is a system with multiple layers working together—shingles or tiles, underlayment, decking, flashing, ventilation components, and more. Disturbing one component without properly accounting for how it affects the others can compromise the entire system’s integrity.
Bringing in a roofing professional will ensure that you have all of the proper permits, the appropriate materials, and that you are fixing the full extent of the damage appropriately to keep your roof structurally safe and sound.
3. Have All of the Necessary Permits
When you are having any kind of roof repairs done on your home, you need to make sure you have all of the proper licenses and permits. Researching to find what permits you need, filling out all of the necessary paperwork, and filing it all properly can be a headache that you can easily avoid.
Permitting requirements vary significantly by location, with each municipality having its own specific codes, requirements, and processes. Many jurisdictions require permits for roof replacements and sometimes even for significant repairs. Failing to obtain these permits can result in hefty fines, complications when selling your home, or even having to remove and redo work that doesn’t meet code requirements.
Professional roofing contractors maintain relationships with local building departments and stay current on local building codes and requirements. They understand the intricacies of zoning laws, homeowners association rules, and historic district regulations that might apply to your property.
Furthermore, permitted work typically requires inspections at various stages of completion. Professional roofers schedule these inspections and know exactly what inspectors will be looking for, ensuring your project passes without costly delays or corrections.
Working with a professional for roof repairs will ensure that you have everything you need to have your project fully approved by the city and state authorities. They are the experts in this area and can get the job done right the first time. Let them handle the hassle of permits and paperwork, it’s part of what a professional for roof repairs does.
4. Access to Quality Materials
Professional roofing contractors have established relationships with suppliers and manufacturers, giving them access to higher-quality materials than what’s typically available to consumers at retail outlets. These professional-grade materials often come with better warranties and performance characteristics than their retail counterparts.
Additionally, roofing professionals purchase materials in bulk, allowing them to secure better pricing than individual homeowners. These savings can be passed on to you, potentially offsetting a significant portion of the labor costs.
Roofing contractors also have the expertise to select the appropriate materials for your specific roof, climate conditions, and budget. They can recommend options that balance initial cost with long-term performance, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal, helping you make informed decisions that will serve you well for decades.
5. Warranty Protection
Most DIY roof repairs come with no warranty beyond what might be offered on the materials themselves. When problems arise later, you’re fully responsible for additional repairs and any consequential damage.
Reputable roofing contractors, on the other hand, typically offer substantial workmanship warranties that protect you from defects in installation. These warranties often range from 5 to 25 years and provide valuable peace of mind.
Additionally, many manufacturers of premium roofing materials offer extended system warranties when their products are installed by certified contractors. These enhanced warranties often cover both materials and labor for periods of up to 50 years and may be transferable to future homeowners—a significant selling point if you plan to move.
To maintain these warranties, it’s critical that all work, including repairs, be performed by a qualified professional for roof repairs. DIY repairs or hiring uncertified contractors can void existing manufacturer warranties, leaving you unprotected against potential failures.
6. Time and Convenience
Roofing projects are notoriously time-consuming, especially for those without specialized equipment and experience. What might take a professional crew a day or two to complete could easily consume several weekends of a homeowner’s time, with the added risk of weather delays prolonging the project and potentially exposing your home to the elements.
Professional roofers have the manpower, equipment, and expertise to complete projects efficiently. They coordinate deliveries, removals, and installations to minimize disruption to your daily life. They also handle cleanup and disposal, saving you from the hassle of figuring out how to properly dispose of old roofing materials, many of which cannot simply be placed in regular trash.
By hiring a professional for roof repairs, you free up your time for other priorities while ensuring the job gets done promptly and properly.
Need A Professional For Roof Repairs?
Crazy Horse Roofing specializes in roofing and gutters in Northern Colorado, and we believe in treating every customer like they are family. We know how important your roof is in keeping your home and your family protected and safe, so we will do whatever we can to make sure your roof is safe, strong, and sturdy. Reach out to us for your free consultation! A professional for roof repairs is always a call away with Crazy Horse Roofing.