Homeowners may put the roof out of their minds until they spot a leak or a missing shingle. Then, one must decide what to do about it. Contact a professional? Or maybe you feel confident enough to take on a do-it-yourself roof repair.

Before you get too carried away about tackling a repair challenge up on the roof, consider the risks involved: according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety website, there were 221 construction fatalities in Canada in 2013. While the number of fall fatalities is unavailable, many reasons given for falls were:

1. Fall protection equipment was either unavailable or mishandled (or not used at all).
2. Ladders or other equipment were in poor condition or mishandled.
3. Safety apparatuses were missing.

So, before you decide to climb up on the roof for a simple repair, think long and hard about the potential risks involved.

RISKS OF A DIY ROOF REPAIR

• If you don’t own appropriate footwear, you risk slipping while on the rooftop.
• You’ll have to invest a great deal of money on safety gear to work on your roof safely. A professional roofer already has all the appropriate safety equipment.
• Furthermore, you won’t benefit from safety equipment if you don’t know how to use it properly. Working on a roof is precarious at best and should only be performed by a trained professional.
• You may be in a rush because of time constraints and make fatal mistakes.
• If you lack the appropriate skills and experience to perform repairs correctly, that could spell disaster in more costly repairs later.
• If a roof is unstable, it could collapse under your weight. A roofer can check for stability before anyone climbs up.
• Incorrect ladder placement also causes serious accidents.
• Snowy or rainy weather conditions make working on a roof perilous for anyone. Roof work should not be attempted in inclement weather.
• An inexperienced roofer may lose awareness of his or her location and accidentally fall of an edge. Experienced roofers have safety harnesses and are familiar stepping on several different types of roofs.
• In addition, chimneys and vents may obstruct your view while up on the roof. Not being able to see where you are or avoid potential hazards can result in a tumble off the roof.
• Extra precautions must be taken on roofs with a steeper slope. Roofing professionals know what safety measures must be taken prior to beginning a roof repair.

While you may feel daring and courageous in performing a roof repair, the dangers are not worth it. Our team at Shoreline Roofing aims to minimize workplace accidents. We take the appropriate precautions and maintain the appropriate safety gear for our workers. We minimize injuries for the sake of our employees and their families.

In the end, roof top safety is nothing to be taken lightly. Construction fatalities from falls off roofs are preventable. If you require a roof repair, contact the experts at Shoreline for a safe and certified repair.