Most people avoid DIY roof repairs for one main reason: safety. It’s not just climbing the roof that is dangerous; it’s also having to carry all your tools as you move around. Keep in mind the following tips:
Learn the proper use of a ladder
If you don’t own one already, buy ($200) or rent (about $30 per day) a sturdy extension ladder that extends at least 3 ft. above the roof edge. Aluminum is the lightest, but fiberglass ladders provide better protection against electrocution in case the ladder accidentally touches a power line or live wire. If possible, set the ladder on firm, level ground. On uneven ground, place squares of plywood under one foot to level the ladder base and then secure it with wire or rope tied to stakes. Fasten the top of the ladder with rope or wire tied to a secure anchoring point such as a 20d nail driven into a rafter. That will keep it from sliding sideways as you step onto the roof. Source: FamilyHandyman
Know how to transition from the ladder to the roof
You’ve climbed the ladder. Now, you need to move onto the roof. Never step up and over the top of the ladder. Remember, it should extend at least 3 feet above the roof’s edge. Instead, hold onto the ladder with both hands and step around the ladder and onto the roof. When you get off the roof, take the same approach, holding onto the ladder and stepping around it instead of over the top. Source: Hunker
Using roof harness
Some roofs are so high and so steep that even working from scaffolding can be dangerous. A roofing harness provides the extra security you need when working on such a roof. It comes as a set that includes a rope, roof anchor, harness and lanyard for adjusting the tension of the rope. You secure the anchor to the peak by driving lag bolts into the rafters, and use the lanyard to maintain tension in the rope as you move around the roof. You must reposition the anchor when you begin working more than four feet to one side of it. Source: HomeGuides.SFGate
Don’t risk your safety just to save a few dollars. Let us do the job for you, and we’ll make sure that every dollar you spend is worth it. Call us!
Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains Ltd.
168 W 71st Ave, Vancouver, BC V5X 4S7
(604) 360-2114
