A do-it-yourself roof repair is not for the faint of heart. Not only do you have to navigate an environment several metres above most people’s comfort zones, but you also have to ensure you perform a solid repair that still looks good from the street. It takes some research and experience to ensure that your roof repair doesn’t just worsen things in the long run.
5 DIY Roof Preparation Tips
To help increase the possibility that your roof repair is successful, we have listed the tips below to help guide your preparations:
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Safety is king
Roof work is by nature pretty dangerous, with slippery surfaces, poor handholds and a gut-wrenching drop to the ground; you need to ensure that you are prepared before you go up top. Some important considerations include:
- Make sure that you start your work on a clear, sunny day. Good weather is essential to roof safety, as a slippery roof can make the job harder and more dangerous.
- Use a safety rope. Using a safety rope to attach yourself to the roof can be the difference between just a scary slip and serious broken bones.
- Buy a roof ladder for steep roofs. Steep roofs require a roof ladder to provide proper handholds.
- Wear the right footwear. Rubber-soled shoes are the footwear for any roofing professional, as they provide the right grip and comfort.
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Get the right materials.
Aside from the roof footwear and safety equipment, you should also ensure that your repair materials are up to scratch. Your roof takes a lot of daily punishment, so you should ensure that any fix is high quality. Buy only from established brands that have a reputation for durability and quality.
Nothing is worse than using materials that don’t match your roof. Make sure you buy shingles that match the ones you already have, as blotchy colours on the roof can seriously damage the value of your home.
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Make sure you know what roof damage looks like
Most DIY roof repairs are sparked by the need to repair a leak. So before you go up, you should know what damage to look for. Some signs of damage that need to be repaired include:
- Bruised, cracked or loose shingles (the rectangles that make up the majority of the roof)
- Pay attention to the edges of roof attachments. Where a chimney, air conditioner or metal flashing meets the roof is a vulnerable point that needs special attention.
- Inspect the ridge capping and metal components of the roof. These can often come loose and should be repaired to ensure the integrity of your structure.
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Make sure the problem is something you can fix yourself
It might be a no-brainer, but not all roof issues are equal; some are harder to fix than others. A couple of loose shingles or repairing a ridge cap might be doable by yourself, but extensive structural damage or having to work with heavy components might require a professional.
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Make sure your DIY roof repair is cost-effective.
Always do the maths at home before you start buying materials. If you need to buy shoes, ladders, safety ropes and building materials, calling in the roofing professionals might be cheaper. Similarly, professionals can often buy materials in bulk, meaning paying a professional to fix the roof might not be much more expensive than doing it yourself.