There are times where we find it necessary to do things ourselves. Maybe roofing companies aren’t immediately available, or the repair doesn’t need to involve that much time and effort. Still, safety precautions are needed when you’re performing repairs on your own roof. Here’s a couple of things to keep in mind when you’re getting the ladder out.
Make sure your tools are in good working condition
Start with the ladder! If this is your first time repairing a leak in your roof, or the first repair job you’ve had in a while, it’s useful to see if your tools are up to par. Plenty of roof repair jobs have gone undone due to the lack of quality tools at hand. So check if your ladder is free of rust and your tools are in good shape.
Get a helper
Two hands are better than one – and if the roof repairs might take more than just you, having someone around helps. From the most basic of tasks like holding the ladder up and handing you the tools, or checking for leaks once your spray your roof. Having someone around also ensures that you’ll be taken care in the event that something does go awry with your repairs.
Equip yourself
Rubber boots and safety gloves are a no brainer. If you have a roof safety harness, use that as well. While it might not seem that high up from those high-rises in the city, the roof of your house is still quite a bit from the ground. Having equipment that will guarantee your safety is one of the primary things that you should keep in mind when performing DIY roof repair.
Take your time
Roofing repair isn’t easy, but it’s very worth it once you put the time and effort. Be thorough about the steps that you need to take to both find and fix repairs in your roof. Getting up there is already quite a task – you’d at least want to make your time count.
Remember to clean
Like any good work area, repairing a roof goes much easier when your working space is free from clutter. Sweeping away detritus like leaves, twigs and other things that end up on your roof can make going about it a lot easier, as well as giving you more opportunities to see if repairs are needed elsewhere.
Check the weather forecast
An easy thing to miss is checking what conditions you’ll be working in. Sometimes, if you’re extremely eager to get the roof fixed, you might forget about the weather that day! This is especially important since some roof repairs will need a day or two to settle in (such as reapplying paint) and having unfavorable weather can quickly turn your work useless. Tip: the best weather for actually working is a clear day with not too much wind, sometime after lunch.
Know what you’re dealing with
Finally, the first step in solving any problem is realizing there is one – so before you go up, try to find as much information as possible about what exactly in your roof needs repairs. Is it a leak? A fresh coat of paint? Tiles falling off? Knowing all of these things in advance can help you diagnose and repair more efficiently.
An important thing that you should always remember though: know when to call in the professionals. Sometimes, roofing damage is something that can’t be tackled without expert knowledge – especially if wiring or insulation is involved – and you’ll need someone who knows their stuff about repairing roofs. Inquire about roofing repair services in your area if you think you might need help. Better safe than sorry, right?