When it comes to roofing work, things can become very costly very quickly. It is therefore unsurprising that thoughts may turn to attempting to carry out roof work yourself. This might sound like a ludicrous idea to some, but it is quite possible to carry out some roof work if you follow a few basic guidelines. However, with a roof being such an important part of the structure of a home, it really is best to always seek advice from a qualified professional before you even think about getting your ladders out.
Know your capabilities
If you know that you are shaky if you reach the top of a flight of stairs, then don’t even think about going up a ladder that reaches two storeys high. Always put safety first in everything that you do.
Can simple repairs be easily fixed by a competent DIY’er?
If you are happy to use ladders and know the safety drill, then many aspects of roofing work can be very straightforward such as pointing work. Slipped tiles can be pushed back into place, especially if they are accessible from inside the loft as they will be in many 1930’s style properties. Loose slates can also be relatively simple to re-affix, but it can be tricky securing them with the correct fixers. Ultimately, the moral of the story is that very minor repairs can be tackled, especially as a short-term fix. For larger jobs or more technical work, it will always pay to hire the services of a qualified roofing contractor. If you do decide to attempt the work yourself, always remember to go out on a dry day and never work on a roof, especially if it is pitched, in the rain.
Roofer or Roofing Contractor?
Some confusion often surrounds the definition of a roofing contractor as opposed to a roofer. This is easily explained by the following definitions.
What is a roofer?
Strictly speaking, a roofer is the tradesman or woman who is skilled at laying roofs in suitable materials such as slate, tiles, thatch, asphalt etc. A roofer may also be referred to in some regions as a slater, a roof carpenter or a journeyman. A roofer must study all aspects of roof construction, including guttering, drainage and rainwater services and understand the need for waterproofing. A roofer will usually be employed by a construction company, quite often one that specialises in roofing work or a roofing contractor.
What is a roofing contractor?
A roofing contractor is a company that is called upon to assess the condition of a roof and recommend repairs. The roofing contractor usually has several staff that are trained as roofers. The contractor will have to have adequate insurance in place before trading as a roofing contractor company and have drawn up a health and safety policy document that all operatives must abide by. Roofing contractors will guarantee their work and provide written confirmation of the terms and conditions of this.