There are few things more humiliating than having to ask for help after you’ve screwed up – and the feeling’s worse if it’s something you shouldn’t have been messing with in the first place. As roofing experts, we’ve gotten our share of frantic calls from people asking if “roofers near me” can help them get out of a situation where they tried and failed to execute an upgrade or repair themselves. To spare yourself the cost and embarrassment, here are some things you should never, ever do without contacting a professional for help.

1) Adding A Skylight

A roof might look simple on the outside, but it’s anything but. You can’t cut a small hole in it without seriously compromising its structural integrity. We have seen many homeowners try to install a skylight on the cheap, and it never ends well. At best, you’ll have to reinstall the skylight, so it doesn’t fall in on you. At worst, you might need to replace your entire roof. It’s not worth the money you think you’re saving, so always go with a certified, licensed and insured installer. 

2) Any Type Of Work To Your Chimney

Many homeowners have blocked off chimneys in their homes. Come wintertime; they start to wonder if they should poke around in it and see if it’s still functional. Unless you blocked up the chimney and its fireplace yourself, you have no idea what’s happening there. Trying to get up on your roof to peer down it – or stripping open a sealed off fireplace to peer up it – is a terrible idea. Again, if you want a safe and merry fireplace that keeps your family warm without burning your house down, contact an expert.

3) Only Trimming Trees You Can See

Untrimmed trees can be a pain. They shed and fill up your gutters with debris which attracts mosquitos in summer and during storms can have limbs break off and damage your roof. They can also be a fire hazard in dry seasons. Many homeowners try to cut costs by using a ladder and trimming what they can see. This idea is a problem as what you don’t see could be a potential issue – and sometimes problematic areas are still growing and aren’t visible from below. Best leave the trimming to the experts, and you’ll find you have to do it less often. 

To summarise – your roof is one of the most expensive installations in your home. It only asks that you leave its care to those who know what they’re doing. In exchange, it promises to keep you, your family and belongings safe and secure for decades and decades to come.