Rather than hiring someone to repair or maintain a roof, you can do it yourself to save a little extra cash. However, by not hiring a professional, you need to make sure that you do your homework to understand how to finish the roof correctly. Roofing is not that complicated but there is a right and a wrong way to accomplish these tasks.
There are also many safety concerns with working on top of a roof. While many roofs may not have a dramatic slope, others may have an extremely steep slope. There are certain precautions to consider before trekking to the roof to make some minor repairs.
Do-It-Yourself Roofing
1. Wear Proper Shoes
Footwear is very important because you do not want to put on a pair of sneakers with the soles rubbed bare. This could make it very slippery when trying to maneuver around objects. Also if it is not already a given, sandals and flip-flops are extremely dangerous on a roof. A pair of rubber-soled shoes or work boots with thick treads is the best set of footwear for getting on a roof.
2. Check the Weather
The worst place to be during a storm is on top of a roof. So, it makes sense to watch the weather before mounting the roof for a do-it-yourself roofing project, and periodically checking the sky while on top of the roof. It is best to do roof work when the roof is completely dry. There should be no moisture, wind, ice, or lightning while roofing. If there is an emergency, it is best to call in a professional.
3. Monitor Ladder Safety
A ladder should not be used on an uneven ground. If it is not possible to find level ground then you can lay ply wood to even out the ground. The bottom of the ladder can be secured by inserting stakes in the ground. After the ladder is in place and fully extended, the top can be fastened to the rafters by using roof anchors or nails. For houses that are two or more stories high, a roof harness systems can be rented to make it easier.
4. Take Inventory of Supplies
Before mounting the roof, check to make sure you have all the supplies you need. It is better to take time to organize everything before getting to the top and realizing you do not have everything you need. Some projects may take more tools to complete then others. Using a lift or pulley systems can get the supplies to the roof easily without having to fumble over holding the tools and climbing the ladder.
5. Work Carefully
Most rooftop injuries take place when a worker is in a hurry or frustrated with something. Take breaks whenever necessary to make sure you do not get tired or exhausted. A combination of roof equipment supports and patience will get the job done safely.
Engineered with code-compliant designs and high integrity, PHP Systems/Design is the leader for roof equipment support systems.
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