It is generally not recommended for a homeowner to climb onto their roof, let alone try to repair or replace it. If you're not sure what you're doing, you can cause serious damage to your roof and, more importantly, to yourself. Ultimately, my answer is that yes, you can repair or replace your own roof, but I would rarely suggest you try it. There are too many ways to cause damage to the roof or yourself if you don't take proper precautions, and ultimately, they can end up costing you much more than the money you saved by NOT hiring a qualified contractor in the first place.
With that said, choose a contractor carefully and do some research, don't hire the first guy who stops in a pickup truck with a hammer. Make sure you are licensed and insured and have the right qualifications to do the job well. DON'T think you'll save money by hiring the cheapest man, most of the time it will cost you a lot more in the long run. Check with the BBB to verify a contractor's credentials and how long they have been in business.
If a tile is simply cracked or broken, you don't have to replace it, just repair it. Start by applying a thick bead of roofing sealant under the crack. Press the tile down and apply a second coat of sealant to the top of the crack. Then spread the sealant with a spatula.
Finally, nail the first row of shingles directly on top and rinse with the starting layer. Use four roofing nails per tile, as directed in the package instructions (six nails in areas with high winds). Once this course has been placed, you can begin placing horizontal chalk lines on the roof to ensure straight rows. Be sure to expose 5 in.
From the tabs of the shingles where the bottom edge of the tab joins the top of the cutout. David Bitan is a roofing professional, licensed contractor, and owner and founder of Bumble Roofing, based in Southern California. And while roof work itself isn't brain surgery, it does involve a lot of steps and can incur surprises along the way, such as discovering some serious structural damage to the roof after removing old shingles. Although the process is simple, IKO recommends that only properly trained professional roofing contractors engage in shingle laying or repairing roofs.
The application of the new roof requires a little more skill, and must be done quickly so that the roof is not vulnerable to the elements. If you're a novice DIYer, doing small repair jobs, such as replacing shingles, is a smart way to learn more about how your roof works and save money. Here's When You Should, When You Shouldn't, and What You Should Know About Roof Replacements and Repairs to Help You Decide. To replace damaged roof tiles, you need to remove the damaged tile, install the new one, and seal the edges.
If word gets out that you own a roofing gun, you risk being recruited by a bunch of friends and neighbors to help work on your roofs. If your roof is more than 20 years old and most shingles are damaged or badly worn, it's time to change it. Self-adhesive roofing base (often called an “ice and water base coat”) can prevent this because it adheres to the roof deck to seal off water. If you don't know what you're doing, just walking on the roof can damage the shingles, not to mention the safety issues of falling off the roof and damaging yourself.
Also, if you have a steep roof or one with special flashing problems, such as a roof to wall, dead valley, hips, dormers, pitch changes, chimneys, or a variety of other special problems, you DON'T want to try it yourself. With roofing, talk to your roofing professional to see if they will allow you to tear off the old roof for a discount. DIY websites show simple and simple roofing and, if you are reasonably skilled and follow all the safety precautions and instructions in the package, it may be OK to attach the roof of your own home. Professional roofing contractors still need to install the new roof, whatever roofing material it is.
If you have more technical expertise, replacing a roof on your own will save you thousands of dollars in labor costs, but be realistic in terms of your skill set and strength. . .
