Stay Safe When Repairing Your Roof
Roofing work should only be done by a professional roofer, particularly for steep pitched roofs. Roofing is easily one of the most dangerous tasks you can undertake at home, making it a highly specialised skill that requires training and experience.
If you’re undertaking roof work, there are some things you can do to help you stay safe. The first rule of roofing is to steer clear of setting foot on your rooftop after rainfall or when it’s wet outside. When you’re working on the roof, ensure it’s a clear, dry day and wear rubber soled shoes to give you that bit of extra grip.
Prepare for Working at Height
Watch your footing when you’re on the roof. A clean roof is more safe than a roof littered with leaves, which could cause you to slip. Even a small pebble could make you lose your footing, so before you start any roof work, make sure it’s clear of debris.
Keep your hands free so that you can balance properly. It’s advisable to wear a tool belt so that you don’t have to worry about losing your tools while you’re working at height. If you were to drop something while you were working on your roof, your instinct would be to reach out to catch it, and this could cause you to lose your balance.
While you’re working on the roof there could be danger to others – for example, if you live next to a public walkway. If this is the case, be sure to cordon off the area around where you’ll be working so that passersby can avoid the area.
If you’ll be working on the roof for some time, it’s a good idea to nail a strip of wood along the side where you’re working or use roof brackets, securing them to the eaves. This will act as a roof guard so you have an extra layer of protection if you slip from the roof.
Use the Right Equipment
Always use the right equipment to access your roof. A strong extension ladder is much safer than trying to extend your own ladder so that you can reach the rooftop. When you’re choosing a suitable ladder, make sure that it’s slightly taller than your roof, providing you with something to grab on to when you’re making the decent back to the ground. Getting back on to the ladder can be quite tricky so be extra careful when you’re getting on and off the ladder.
Make sure that your ladder is positioned properly to stop it slipping while you’re climbing on to the roof. The trick is to keep the angle of the ladder away from the wall to around a quarter of its length. That is to say, if your ladder is 12 feet long, make sure that its base is 3 feet from the bottom of the wall. Check that the ladder is stable on the ground – if it is uneven, level the ladder out with some plywood. When you’ve got the ladder into position, anchor is securely at the top to a stable point of your rooftop.
If you’re unsure of anything, call an experienced roofer. For the price of a trained roofer, it’s worth the peace of mind that you’ll gain from knowing that someone who’s qualified can undertake the work safely and effectively on your behalf.
For a trained local roofer, contact G&A Roofing and Building. G&A is a professional roofing firm that deals with all aspects of roofing work, including emergency roof repairs, guttering work and chimney repairs.
Call G&A Roofing and Building to speak to a professional roofer for free advice today on 0800 626430.
