Spotting problems with your roof and fixing the issue can be a challenging ordeal. Since it’s difficult for most people to climb up to and dismount on their roofs few individuals have the courage and maneuverability to fix their roof. The few people who decide to go the repair route need to know exactly what to look for and how to safely work in order to avoid a potentially lethal disaster. Many people experience serious injuries or even perish each year by overlooking a few simple concepts.
Keep Safety in Mind
Thinking about safety before you even decide to fix your roof puts you in the proper frame of mind. Experienced roofing veterans can suffer mighty spills and serious accidents so inexperienced do it yourself types need to pay attention to safety procedures. Don’t rush through the leak finding process unless you’re prepared to visit the emergency room.
Identifying roof leaks is a deliberate, thoughtful process if you want to greatly reduce the risk of injury. No quick fix exists if you want to complete a roofing job effectively and safely. Patiently do your research to find out where and how you need to fix your roofing problem. Only after you’ve carefully and thoughtfully identified where the problem is and how you’ll address it safely should you move forward with your roofing job or consult a professional to handle the repair for you.
Practical tips include working with a buddy, wearing rubber-soled shoes to decrease the chances of slipping and falling and using a harness to keep yourself in place while working on the roof.
An Easy Method to Identify Leaks
Simply turn on your garden hose and climb up to the roof. Spray the hose across the roof to identify any leaks. Probe different rooftop spots by slowly and steady spraying water from the top of the roof down to the bottom shingles. Spray just enough water to find leaks. Avoid over spraying so you can take it easy on the shingles, your gutters and your feet.
Do not use this method during wintertime. Black ice can form quickly on the roof top during cold winter months within minutes. If black ice, or thin, clear ice, forms on your roof you can slip easily and become seriously injured.
Admit it When You Need Professionals to Handle the Job
As much as you want to do it yourself sometimes a pro is the way to go. Even seasoned home improvement veterans know when it’s time to call in skilled, licensed roofing professionals. If life and limb are in peril or if you find yourself suffering through a pain-staking, difficult roofing job contact experienced roofers to keep yourself both safe and sane.
Roofing falls into a highly dangerous category of home improvement. Many a person has suffered a severe injury or even perished by underestimating the dangers associated with climbing up to and walking around a roof. Hire pros to handle the job unless you have full confidence in your skills.