You’ve completed many do-it-yourself projects around the house, so tackling a roof repair seems within reason. However, unlike other projects that you’ve completed to date, your roofing project presents different hazards. You can stay safe by hiring a professional roofer to do the work. These are the steps roofers will take to remain safe.

Ensure the Ladder Is Secure

A wobbly ladder makes climbing up to the roof and back down again risky. Roofers will reduce the chance of the ladder tipping over by placing it on level ground and securing it to the top of the roof. Often, a second roofer will stand at the base of the ladder to hold it and provide additional stabilization.

Position the Ladder Properly

It’s safer for roofers to climb a ladder at an angle rather than straight up and down. This angle reduces the chance of the ladder falling backward with somebody on it. When securing the ladder to the top of the roof, roofers will ensure that the base is placed at least three feet away from the house.

Avoid Carrying Excess Weight

Roofers typically need numerous tools and supplies to complete the project. Some of these might include stacks of shingles, a hammer, a pry bar, hook blades, a snake, a shingle shovel, and others. Excess weight increases the chance of falling off the ladder and the roof. Roofers often carry the tools and supplies up the ladder in multiple trips for safety.

Use Appropriate Safety Gear

Safety gear is used by roofers for all roof repair and maintenance projects. Roofers need to wear a five-point safety harness and connect that to the roof with a rope and a rope adjuster. A steel roof anchor is used to attach the harness and rope to the apex of the roof.

Maintain Three Points of Contact

Most homes have a roof with a steep pitch. While roofers could stand upright to walk across the roof, this is dangerous. Instead, roofers will maintain three points of contact on the roof at all times. For example, they will keep two feet and one hand in contact with the roof when moving across the surface.

Avoid Hazardous Weather Conditions

Walking across a dry roof is risky enough because of the angle. Wet shingles are much slicker, which increases the likelihood of a fall. In addition to avoiding roof work after a storm, roofers will choose a day with calm breezes rather than strong gusts to do the work.

Working on your roof yourself can be extremely dangerous, so it’s best to let the professionals handle your roof repair work. Schedule an inspection and roof repairs with a professional. If you live in Portland, OR or a surrounding area and need roof repair services, make your first call to Bliss Roofing.