Roofs play some of the most important roles to keep homes liveable. In addition to creating a barrier to keep out anything foreign, roofs protect the interior of your home from the weather and provide insulation during the hottest and coldest months.
The thing is, not a lot of people would think about giving their roofs some TLC to ensure maximum functionality. Most of the time, homeowners only give time and attention to their roof when a problem is already present.
Now the question is, whom do you call when you encounter a certain issue with your roof?
Read on and find out the differences among roofers, roof plumbers, and roof contractors.
Roofer
Roofer refers to anyone who works or fixes roofs. They can be licensed or unlicensed roofing contractors or anyone who works for any roofing firm.
While it’s common and acceptable for licensed roofing contractors to bring along unlicensed workers to assist with the project, it’s not advisable to hire an unlicensed roofer to work on his own for your roofing needs.
That said, you might want to do some background checking before hiring a roofer to know whether they are license holders. This is to ensure they receive the necessary training needed to perform the job well.
Here are a few signs to know when to call a professional roofer:
- Damaged or missing shingles
- Granule loss
- Damaged flashing
- Presence of algae and mould
- Leaking and water spots
- Moss-covered roofs
Roofing Contractor
A roofing contractor is someone who received a government-awarded license that proves they are fully trained and skilled to perform roof repairs or roof replacements.
There are roofing contractors who work for roofing companies and while they may bring along a crew of other skilled and trained workers, they are capable of handling the work on their own.
Roofing contractors work on the same problems taken care of by roofers.
Roof Plumber
Roof plumbing is any work that involves the use of flashings, any part of a drainage system that accumulates or gets rid of stormwater, or any connection of stormwater pipes to rainwater tanks. It also includes the connection of stormwater downpipes to a drainage disposal point.
As the name suggests, roof plumbers deal with these specific roofing needs. This includes the installation of gutters, flashings, downpipes, rainwater tanks, etc. They can work on commercial and residential properties.
They are also able to handle sheeting and wall cladding projects. Roof plumbers are also capable of reading and interpreting technical diagrams, which is why they’re able to install roof drainage systems of different angles on buildings.
Here are a few more tasks that roof plumbers take care of:
- Measurement and installation of gutters
- Construction of ductwork joints, angled gutters and stop ends
- Installation of other collection devices.
- Termination of building stormwater drains through a street kerb or a stormwater drainage system
- Fixing roof leaks
Why you should avoid DIY roof repairs
While it may be tempting to get a ladder and deal with your roofing problems yourself, there are several reasons why you shouldn’t do it. Here are some examples:
- Repairing your roof yourself could void any material warranty
- You could make the problem worse and end up paying more later on
- Getting on your roof may lead to an accident or injury
- Poorly done repairs may lead to leaks and damage
- Lack of professional training and knowledge to properly perform the repairs
Fixing your roof DIY style can be a challenging, tedious, and dangerous job. Instead of attempting to do the work yourself, only to cause further damage, you need to hire the right professional to do the job. Knowing the differences between roofers, roof contractors, and roof plumbers allows you to conveniently seek help and deal with your roofing needs.
If you’re located within the Adelaide metropolitan area and you need help with your roofing needs, look no further than Roof Doctors. We have licensed roofing professionals specializing in various roof-related works. Give us a call on 0488 66 98 75 or click here to get a FREE quote.
