Here in Oakland, CA we are in the beginning of the windiest months of the year which can result in roof damage.
As a matter of fact, the windier part of the year lasts for 5.5 months, from March 10 to August 24, with average wind speeds of more than 8.2 miles per hour. 

When high winds hit a roof, shingles can loosen, roll up or even fly off. Putting off roof repair can lead to major house damage.

In addition, it is never a good thing to try to get up on the roof yourself and to try and repair it yourself.

You risk injury, everything from falling off the ladder, falling off the roof or in the event there’s a loose roof rafter and your leg goes through it. Now there’s even more damage. And being that we are in the windiest months of the year, the risk of injury is even greater.

As professional roofers, we know how to properly travail a roof and account for any calamities that could arise.

Here are five reasons why DIY roof repair may not be a good idea:

1. Safety risks:
   
   • Roof repairs can be dangerous, especially if you are not experienced with working at heights or using tools such as nail guns, hammers, or power saws. Falls from ladders or roofs can cause serious injury or even death.
2. Lack of expertise:
   
   • Roofing is a specialized skill that requires specific knowledge and training. Unless you have experience working on roofs, you may not know how to properly identify the source of the problem, or how to fix it correctly. This can lead to costly mistakes and potentially make the problem worse.
3. Legal and insurance issues:
   
   • Many roofing repairs require permits and must be done to code. If you do the work yourself and something goes wrong, your insurance company may deny your claim, leaving you responsible for any damage or injury.
4. Cost savings may be short-lived:
   
   • While it may seem like you can save money by doing the repair yourself, in the long run, it may end up costing you more. If the repair is not done correctly, it may lead to more significant damage, requiring a more extensive and expensive repair.
5. Homeowners insurance:
   • If you try to repair it yourself and it results in additional damage, injury, or fire, the insurance company may deny the claim.
   • Most insurers require that any repairs made to the home are done by a licensed and insured contractor.

For example, if a homeowner attempted to repair a leak in their roof and accidentally caused a fire, the insurance company may deny the claim for the fire damage, citing that the homeowner did not use a licensed and insured contractor to make the repairs.

In this case, the homeowner would be responsible for any resulting damage, and the insurance company would not cover the loss. Additionally, if a homeowner makes a mistake during a DIY roof repair that causes further damage, it may also invalidate the insurance policy.

For instance, if a homeowner attempts to fix a leak in their roof and inadvertently causes a structural issue, the insurance company may not cover the cost of repairing the additional damage.

It’s essential to understand that insurance companies have strict guidelines regarding who can make repairs to your home. If you attempt a DIY roof repair and something goes wrong, it may result in the denial of your claim or even the cancellation of your insurance policy.

It’s always best to consult with a licensed and insured contractor to ensure that any repairs made to your home are done correctly and in compliance with your insurance policy’s requirements.

Don’t DIY Roof Repair, call General Roofing Co

DIY roof repairs can be dangerous, and costly, and may not be done to code. It’s always best to leave roof repairs to the professionals who have the experience, training, and equipment needed to do the job safely and correctly.

This means they can do a better job and provide a longer-lasting repair which could also help ensure your insurance claim will get approved.

By waiting you risk a complete roof replacement when maybe all that we would need to do is re-tack down the loose shingles.

If you see even one shingle hit the ground you need to contact us so we can send one of our professionals out to evaluate your roof and see what repairs need to be made.