Roof inspections should be part of any good homeowner’s routine to make sure that their roof will stand the test of time and the fury of the elements. However, roof inspections can be quite dangerous and going on top of your roof without the right knowledge could end up damaging your roof or worse. Many homeowners end up in the emergency room because they weren’t armed with the right knowledge to do a safe roof inspection or simply just refused to do so because they didn’t think it was necessary or were too lazy to ensure their own safety.
Know Your Roof
Knowing which parts of your roof are safe to work on can make a large difference. The smallest thing can make a large difference in roof safety and knowing what to look out for when working on your roof can mean the difference between a safe inspection or a tumble a few stories off you roof.
You have to take into account the angle or slope of your roof as steeper roofs are harder and more dangerous to work on. Even if your roof is not as steep, the materials your roof is made of can make it more dangerous to conduct a roof inspection. Metal and wood in particular can be dangerous as they don’t provide much traction and make it harder to cling on to in the event that you do slip.
Also be aware of any weak spots on your roof. These can be anything from patched up areas in your roof where leaks used to be to loose shingles that could detach as you step on them. These weak spots could end in you either slipping off the roof or punching a large hole in it so taking note of these and watching your step is important to ensure your safety and your roof’s integrity.
Safety Equipment
Having the tools for the job is essential for a good roof inspection and to make sure that you come down on a ladder and not your back. Some of these tools include
- A safety harness. This will make sure that you stay on the roof as it holds your full weight in case you slip. Make sure to attach it to a stable spot on your roof like a chimney
- Boots or shoes with decent traction. Traction is what helps vehicles from skidding off of the roof uncontrollably and it is what will be keeping you from slipping off the roof uncontrollably.
- A stable ladder. The ladder is what will get you on your roof in the first place. It’s also the same thing that will make sure that you come down the roof safely. Inspect your ladder to make sure that it is in top condition. Firmly plant it into the ground when you decide to use it to make sure it stays in place while you inspect the roof, otherwise there’s a chance that it could fall as you climb up or down the roof or leave you stranded.
- A friend. A friend is the best kind of safety “equipment” that you can bring along during an inspection. Not only do you have a second set of hands to help you as you do the inspection, but also someone to call for help if in case something goes wrong. And the only cost is a beer and a lunch.
Be Aware of The Weather
Bad weather can cause huge problems while conducting these inspections. Rain can make your roof more slippery and make it harder to see where you should be standing and strong winds could blow you off your own roof. Not to mention the fact that you might even get hit by debris being blown about by the wind. Snow can also be an issue as it melts around your feet. It ends up creating a slipping hazard.
We don’t need to tell you twice that conducting an inspection in a thunderstorm is a monumentally bad idea as you could also get hit by lightning.
Going up on your roof for an inspection may seem like a dangerous task. But with the right knowledge and tools for the job, you’ll be able to patch up that leaky hole in no time.
