Your home’s roof provides more than protection and curb appeal. It is a primary structural component that maintains the integrity of your entire house. At the same time, it prevents everything from water damage to pest infestations inside the home. It even enhances temperature control and energy efficiency. While your roof is designed to withstand forces from Mother Nature, they can cause extensive roof damage. While roof repairs are essential, they can also be dangerous. Here are some tips to stay safe while making emergency fixes.
Don’t Work on a Wet Roof
As soon as it’s safe to do so, you may be inclined to head up to the roof and assess the damage. While you can start assessing the damage from the ground level when the roof is wet, you shouldn’t attempt to access the roof until it is completely dry. A wet roof is a slick roof. This slickness, combined with the elevation and pitch of the roof, creates a significant risk of slipping and falling. Ensure that the roof is completely dry before venturing up a ladder to take a closer look at the damage.
Stabilize Your Ladder
Ladder stability is essential when working on a roof. The base of the ladder should be placed approximately 3 feet away from the house to ensure a safe angle. The top of the ladder should extend at least a foot or two above the roof, and it should be carefully secured to the roof. In addition, you should always work with a partner at the base of the ladder for extra stabilization.
Wear Safety Gear
Before ascending the ladder, put on a five-point harness. Then, have a long rope and an anchor bracket with you while climbing the ladder to secure the rope to the roof. Even when working on a dry roof, there’s a chance of falling as you navigate the steep surface, rip off shingles, and do other work. The harness is an essential safety measure that can dramatically reduce the chance of an injury.
Be Aware of Structural Damage
Depending on the nature of the damage, your roof may be severely weakened or may even have punctures in it from flying debris. In some cases, you could see a gaping hole. In other cases, you might not notice a weakness until you walk across it. If you have any questions about the structural integrity of your roof, it’s best to have a professional roof inspection as a first step. If you live in Wilmington, NC or a surrounding area and need emergency roof services, make your first call to RoofVantage.
