Roof damage is bad news for homeowners. If you’ve got a leak, you’ll get water running down all of the walls and that leads to all sorts of problems with damp and mold in the house. That’s why it’s essential that you fix it right away. Fixing a roof is a serious job and if you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s a job that should be left to the professionals. The only problem is, that’s going to cost you a lot of money and if you can’t afford it, you’re in a bit of a tricky situation. You can’t just leave the roof as it is because it’s going to cause more damage to the house and that’ll end up costing you more in the long run. So, you might have to do it yourself. If you are going to do work on the roof, safety is your number one concern.
Here are the safety tips you need to follow when carrying out roof maintenance.
Never Work Alone
There’s always the chance that you could fall and get injured when you’re working on the roof which is why it’s essential that you never work alone. If you do fall, you need somebody there to make sure that you’re alright and call the emergency services if necessary. You also need somebody to hold the ladder steady while you’re up there to reduce the chances of having a fall.
Consider A Scissor Lift
If you need to do extensive work up there, standing on a ladder might not be the safest option. You have limited mobility on a ladder so you might be better off using a scissor lift instead. You can find scissor lifts for hire at Auslift that make your life so much easier when working on the roof. You’ll have a stable platform to work from while you’re fixing the roof, rather than having to hang off a ladder the whole time. Using a scissor lift massively reduces the chances of a fall.
Don’t Work When It’s Wet
Roof tiles get incredibly slippery when they’re wet so you should never get up on the roof when it’s wet. If you’ve got trees near the house, wet leaves are an even bigger hazard. Only get up there when it’s completely dry and remove any leaves before you start work.
Wear The Right Gear
Grip is the most important thing when you’re working on a roof so you need to make sure you’ve got a good pair of boots that have good tread. Avoid using an older pair because the tread will be worn down and you’ll be more likely to slip. It’s also important that you wear a hard hat while you’re up there so if you do fall or there are loose tiles falling from above while you’re on the ground, your head will be protected.
Doing work on the roof is essential but it’s also incredibly dangerous. If you do have to get up there and do some repairs, always make sure that you’re following these safety measures.