Can I Repair a Roof Leak Myself or Should I Hire a Professional?

Are you hoping to avoid the high costs of hiring a roofing contractor to repair your roof leak by doing it yourself but uncertain if that’s a good idea? If you’ve discovered a leak in your roof, you’re likely wondering whether you can fix it yourself or if it’s better to hire a professional.

Roof repairs can be costly, especially in areas like Seattle where labor rates are high. But, on the other hand, taking on a roof repair yourself can be risky—you might miss hidden problems or, worse, end up causing further damage.

At RoofSmart, we repair hundreds of roof leaks every year. With 13 years of experience repairing roof leaks and helping our customers with their roof-related issues, we understand the pressures of balancing cost, time, and safety when dealing with roof leaks.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons of repairing your own roof and hiring a professional so that you can make the best decision based on your budget, skills, and comfort level. Whether you’re looking to save money or ensure the repair is done right, we’ve got you covered with the insights you need.

Repairing Your Own Roof Leak: Pros and Cons

Everyone will feel differently about approaching their roof repair on their own. It’s possible that if you’re reading this article it’s because you want to give it a shot. This section will give you an idea of what might happen if you repair your own roof leak.

Pros

The biggest advantage to repairing the roof leak yourself is that it saves you a lot of money, especially in the Seattle area where labor costs are high. You’ll also get to decide what timeline you want to follow because you’re only working around your own schedule.

So you have ultimate control over the cost and the timing. If you’re interested in DIY projects and don’t mind taking a risk, then repairing the leak on your own can be a good move for you.

If you’re comfortable doing the repair yourself, then we say give it a shot. At best, you’ll fix the leak. At worst, maybe you’ll buy some time before a contractor needs to come out to work on the leak.

Cons

On the other hand, odds are if you knew what to do, you wouldn’t be reading this article.

This can be a difficult and stressful project because you likely don’t know the proper processes and methods for repairing a roof leak (unless you happen to be a roofing contractor).

Because of this, it’s also likely that you won’t be able to identify every issue on your roof or you might possibly misidentify the issue and fix the wrong thing. You could also cause another problem during your repair job or you could give yourself a false sense of security by thinking you fixed it, but it’s still continuing to leak.

Hiring a Professional to Repair Your Roof Leak: Pros and Cons

These pros and cons will likely vary a bit depending on which company you decide to work with. Each one approaches repairs differently. This section will give you some insight into the advantages and disadvantages of working with a professional roofing contractor.

Pros

If you have somebody who is conscientious and competent, then they will have the expertise and proper tools needed to effectively fix the problem. So, you can have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’ve hired a professional and can trust that they will take care of everything for you.

Your roofing contractor should be able to tell you if the roof leak is a local issue (contained in one small area) or if it’s a systemic problem that appears in multiple spots or all over the roof. This means that not only will your roof leak be fixed, but you’ll also learn about potential other issues on the roof and have those fixed.

They’ll also be able to back up their repair work with a workmanship warranty, meaning that if they mess something up during the leak repair then they will be responsible for the cost of fixing it.

Cons

Many companies really only want to replace roofs, so they’ll come out to inspect it for repair and then just try to flip it into a replacement. So there’s a lot of potential upselling, which may or may not be legitimate. Plus, hiring a professional roofing contractor to do the repair is going to cost more than doing it yourself because labor costs are expensive in Seattle.

Unfortunately, there is also the possibility that the roofing contractor could mess up the repair somehow. This could be because they unknowingly made a mistake, or because they are actually not a reputable contractor. So you’re really counting on them to have a solid workmanship warranty that they are willing to stand behind (though if they’re not a reputable contractor then that’s not likely).

Similarly, it is possible that the roofing contractor might not catch everything that’s wrong with your roof, leaving you with continuing issues after the leak repair is over. Sometimes it’s difficult to see everything that’s wrong with the roof until you start working on it.

It’s also possible that the contractor can miss other issues if they do not do a thorough inspection of your roof and the surrounding areas.

When is the best time to repair a roof leak?

A lot of people think that you need to wait for good weather to do work on a roof, but the right time to repair a roof leak is as soon as possible.

It’s crucial that you take action right away because if things that are supposed to be dry on and around the roof are getting wet, then they start to break down, rot, and get damaged. So, your expenses will only grow the longer you wait and you will have it hanging over your head the whole time.

The weather can make a difference if you’re trying to do it yourself, but if you’re a professional, it doesn’t make any difference. Look at it this way: Your roof is already leaking, and it’s already getting wet. So that concern about the weather is sort of out the window. It’s more important to get it fixed than it is to worry about how comfortable you’ll be while fixing it.

DIY vs. a Professional Roofing Contractor: Making Your Final Decision

In the end, only you can decide for yourself who you want working on your roof. Repairing a roof leak on your own can be a rewarding and cost-effective solution—if you’re comfortable with the risks involved and have the necessary skills. However, it’s important to remember that even small mistakes can lead to bigger, more expensive problems down the line.

If you feel unsure about handling the repair yourself or if you’re worried about missing hidden issues, hiring a professional may give you the peace of mind you’re looking for. A qualified roofing contractor can ensure a thorough inspection and provide a workmanship warranty, protecting you from future headaches.

No matter which option you choose, it’s crucial to address the leak as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more damage you risk. Either way, taking action now will save you time, money, and stress in the future.

If you’re concerned about repair costs and want to see how they’ll fit into your budget, check out our article “How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Roof Leak in the Greater Seattle Area?” for an in-depth explanation of what you can expect to pay if you hire a professional roofer.