Roof inspections play a critical role in ensuring your roof can adequately protect your home from unexpected damage. If you believe it is time for your roof to receive an inspection, you may consider performing it yourself. However, if you choose to perform a DIY roof inspection, there are several steps you should take to ensure your safety throughout the process.
While they may not seem like an especially difficult task, performing a DIY roof inspection without proper preparation may lead to serious injuries. Our team at Lifetime Roofing wants you to understand what steps you need to take to ensure your safety throughout the process.
1. Practice Ladder Safety
When performing a DIY roof inspection, one of your most important tools is your ladder. But, if you have never used a ladder for a task like this, it is important that you practice proper ladder safety. To do so, you should first ensure that your ladder is tall enough for the job. Don’t attempt to reach for out-of-reach surfaces from the top of your ladder. You should also ensure the ladder is planted properly on the ground.
Then, while climbing the ladder, wear appropriate, slip-resistant footwear and maintain three points of contact as you climb (two feet and one hand or one foot and two hands). Above all else, take your time. If you try to rush, you may make unexpected mistakes and end up hurting yourself. No roof inspection is worth that risk.
2. Don’t Do It Alone
While performing a DIY roof inspection is certainly quicker on your own, you should never do it completely alone. Performing a roof inspection is already risky; having another person with you ensures that if something goes wrong, you have someone watching your back.
Having a second person with you is also helpful if you are trying to get equipment onto the roof. They may hand equipment to you instead of having to try to push it up a ladder on your own. Ultimately, performing a DIY roof inspection should always be a two-person job.
3. Check Weather Conditions
Checking the weather before you perform a DIY roof inspection is essential in guaranteeing your safety while on your roof. Some weather conditions, including wind, rain, or snow, can complicate completion. With rain and snow, the surface of your roof may become too slippery for you to safely stand on the roof.
In addition to the safety risks associated with a DIY roof inspection during inclement weather, some weather may obscure portions of your roof, making it difficult to fully assess the condition of your roof. You may not catch problems with the roof due to a build-up of snow, meaning you may end up experiencing problems with your roof because you missed them.
4. Use Safety Harnesses
No matter how well-intentioned you are, you are not immune from making mistakes. On the roof, these mistakes can quickly turn into opportunities to seriously injure yourself. To avoid this, you should always ensure you are wearing a safety harness when performing a DIY roof inspection.
Wearing a safety harness gives you an anchor point, attaching you to the strongest and most stable part of your roof. It protects you from slips and falls that may result from debris underfoot. With the safety harness, you can rest assured that, even if you fall, something is providing resistance that will catch you before you get injured.
5. Watch Your Step
It isn’t uncommon for debris to make its way onto your roof. Whether it is blown up there by the wind or the debris comes from the roof itself, be sure to watch your step as you perform your DIY roof inspection. It is not uncommon for wind storms to pull up roof shingles.
These storms may leave debris resting loosely on the roof’s surface. When you put your body weight on this debris, it may slip underneath you, potentially causing you to fall. Watch every step you take as you perform your DIY roof inspection to ensure you don’t slip or hurt yourself.
6. Take Your Time
When performing a DIY roof inspection, don’t rush yourself. It is when you rush that you start to make unintentional mistakes. The last place you want to be is perched atop your roof when you begin to make these unintentional mistakes. To avoid these mistakes, ensure you move slowly. As we stated above, watch every step you take.
There is no time limit on how slowly or quickly a roof inspection should take. By taking your time, you ensure your safety as you navigate the roof while guaranteeing you don’t miss any damage you might have quickly skipped over otherwise.
7. Consider Calling A Professional
If you are considering a DIY roof inspection but are on the fence about it, you should consider calling a professional for help. While it is more costly to call a professional to perform your inspection, it is certainly worth the money spent.
A team of roofing professionals has years of experience and equipment that will guarantee their safety while they perform the inspection. Don’t feel like you have to perform the inspection yourself if you feel nervous. It isn’t worth the safety risks, especially if you have a fear of heights or are lacking proper safety equipment.
Skip The DIY Roof Inspection, Call Lifetime Roofing Instead
Roof inspections may not be as straightforward as they seem. If you think it is time for your roof to receive an inspection, you should consider forgoing a DIY roof inspection and instead call a professional roofing company. At Lifetime Roofing, our team of experts can quickly and safely perform a roof inspection for your home, ensuring no damage is missed.
If your roof is damaged, or you would like a member of our team to come out to inspect your roof, contact us today.