Roof Repair: Roof Safety 101

If your roof needs repairs, but there's no room in your budget for a pro

, follow these safety tips to make sure you come away from the experience in one piece.

Tip One: Be Prepared

You don't want to get up on the roof, only to find that you've left half of your materials on the ground. Make a list of every item you will need while you're on the roof, and make sure to move those items up there before you get to work.

Tip Two: Protect Yourself

Good non-skid footwear is vital. Wear rubber soled shoes or boots to keep you from sliding around. Thick, protective gloves and eyewear will help keep you safe. If you suffer from arthritic knees, wear non-skid kneepads to protect your joints while you kneel.

Tip Three: Watch the Weather

It's an old clich: your roof doesn't need repair in good weather, but you can't repair it during bad weather so it never gets done.

Wait for dry conditions and low or no wind before you climb onto your roof. A wet roof is a hazard waiting to happen, and a stiff wind can knock you off balance or pelt you with flying debris.

Tip Four: Ladder Position

OSHA states that the distance of a ladder from a wall should be one-fourth the height of the wall. For example, a 20 foot ladder should be angled such that the bottom is 5 feet away from the wall. Use gutter guards to keep the top of the ladder firmly in place, and put shingles or rubber sheets beneath the feet to keep the ladder from slipping.

Tip Five: Beware Falling Objects

Of course, the person on the roof isn't the only one in danger during a roofing project. Falling tools and materials can do serious injury to people on the ground. Always keep your tools secured on a belt, and section off the area where falling objects could be a hazard.

Tip Six: Other Precautions

Protect yourself from slipping and falling by creating a guardrail and nailing it to the edge of the roof. This will also block sliding tools and prevent them from going over the edge. Attach a rope and safety harness to yourself for extra protection.

Tip Seven: Keep it Clean

Be sure to clean up your work area before and after your project. You don't want to get injured by old nails or debris cluttering the area, and you don't want to leave those hazards lying around after you're done. Cleaning the area takes just a few moments, but it can save you a lot of trouble.

If you follow these precautions, you can rest assured that you will be safe during your next roofing project. Just stay alert and use common sense, and you will prevent injury to yourself and others.

For more information visit this roof replacement guide

Roof Repair: Roof Safety 101

By: Raul Amoros

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