DIY Flat Roofing is a False Economy

On the internet there are many companies selling EPDM roofing products for DIY fitting.

Many customers are looking to save money in the current economic malaise, one way is to buy the materials and fit the job themselves, for some things this make sense, even roofs for non critical buildings such as sheds; but not for more critical roofs, garages, extensions etc.

The sellers of roofing materials make it look easy to fit an EPDM roof after all how difficult can it be sticking/laying a rubber membrane onto a flat roof, the suppliers supply step by instructions anybody can fit one can’t they?

The problem is that yes on the surface it is not difficult but in reality it needs practice which a DIY person is not going to get except on his own roof!!! all the manufacturers of EPDM materials run one or two day training courses for companies to send their fitters to learn how to use their materials, many of the attendees are already roofers, there are many craft skills that need to be learnt and practiced, how can some body who is not in the roofing industry be able to learn these skills from written instructions, most DIY roofs end up as a bodge and rarely are fit for purpose and ultimately have to be re-done by professions.

Finally if the above is not sufficient to persuade somebody not to try doing themselves consider the risks from a safety point of view, roofs are potentially dangerous, professionals have to go on safety courses before they are let loose on a roof, DIY’s may learn the hard way, hopefully not with their lives.