Roof repair isn't a DIY job

There are plenty of projects around the house that suit a weekend do-it-yourselfer. DIY roof repair is not one of them. When your roof needs work anywhere in Middle or East Tennessee, the safer and usually cheaper path is to call a professional and ask for a look at the whole roof, not just the spot that is leaking. Here is why, and what you can safely do yourself in the meantime.

Common signs your roof needs repair

The most common sign is water: a stain on a ceiling or wall, peeling paint, or a drip in the attic after rain. Discolored patches usually mean water has already gotten past the roof's protective layers, and the sooner it is addressed, the less damage it does inside.

From the outside, look for missing, cracked or curling shingles, shingles or granules in the yard, flashing that has lifted around a chimney or vent, and gutters pulling away from the house. Check from the ground after every big storm, and use binoculars if you have them. You can spot a lot without ever touching a ladder.

Why DIY roof repair is a bad idea

It is dangerous

Falls from ladders and roofs injure many homeowners every year, and a lot of those falls happen at home. Climbing a ladder with tools and materials, then working on a pitched, gritty or wet surface, is how people get badly hurt. Professional crews work with ladder stands, fall protection and years of practice. That alone is reason enough to leave it to a roof repair company.

Water follows the path of least resistance

If you look up from the attic and see a wet spot on the roof deck, that is not necessarily where the leak starts. Water can get under shingles well uphill of the damage and run along rafters or decking before it drips. People trained in roof repair know how to trace a leak to its real source, and they can spot everything the water has damaged along the way.

You may miss hidden damage or storm damage

Without experience, it is easy to miss something that needs fixing. Leaving soft or rotting decking in place can lead to much bigger damage and an early roof replacement. On the other hand, a roofer may recognize storm damage you would not, which could mean the repair belongs on an insurance claim instead of coming out of your pocket. A do-it-yourself patch can also make the original storm damage harder to document.

Your roof is a system, not just shingles

Replacing a few shingles may not solve the leak. A roof is a deck, underlayment, flashing, ventilation, fasteners and shingles working together, and disturbing one part can damage another. Lift the wrong shingle on a hot day or nail through the wrong spot and you can trade one leak for two. A professional has the tools and the knowledge to do it right the first time.

Why you need a roof inspection before a repair

You may know exactly where the leak is. But when there is damage in one place, especially from wind, there is often damage somewhere else too. A good roofer evaluates the entire roof so the next storm does not find the spot that was missed. Read more in why get an inspection before repair.

A full roof inspection can also show that the leak came from storm damage. If so, contact your insurance company and have an adjuster look before you pay for the repair yourself. When you call us, a repairman walks the roof, checks the attic when needed and photographs every finding, so you can see what we see. If storm damage is the cause, our storm damage roof repair page explains how we handle it.

What you can safely do yourself

• Put buckets under drips, in the attic too if you can get there safely, and move belongings out of the way.
• If a ceiling bulges with water, set a bucket under it and poke a small hole in the center with a ballpoint pen so it drains.
• Take photos of the damage inside and out, from the ground.
• Keep an eye on gutters and downspouts from the ground, and call for help if they are clogged or pulling loose.
• Write down when the leak shows up, such as only in wind-driven rain from one direction. That clue helps a roofer find the source.

Staying off the roof also keeps you from adding damage. For more on what goes wrong, read the hidden costs of DIY roof repairs after a storm.

How to choose a reliable roof repair company

Look for a local company with a track record you can check: a Tennessee contractor license you can verify on the state's license verification site, proof of insurance, reviews going back years, and a written proposal that explains what they found. Ours is license 59116. You can read about us on our about us page and see what customers say on our reviews page.

Repair costs depend on what failed and how far water has spread, which is why we send a written proposal with photos and state possible extras, such as decking, up front. Financing is available upon credit approval.

Trust Mobley Brothers for roof repair and inspections

We offer complete roof repair, including storm damage and emergency leak calls, and our approach is simple: repair when we can, replace when we should. We are fully licensed and insured, and both offices are A+ rated by the Better Business Bureau. For roof repair in Knoxville and East Tennessee, call (865) 205-0800. For roof repair in Lebanon TN and Middle Tennessee, call (615) 455-3131. Or contact us online to schedule a free roof inspection.