Home Health & Safety Do you need scaffolding or a ladder for roof repairs? 3 Questions...

Do you need scaffolding or a ladder for roof repairs? 3 Questions to ask yourself

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Replacing tiles, repairing cracks and structural jobs are all difficult tasks for carrying out repairs on a roof. And, while they do not always need to be carried out by a qualified roofing professional, they do have several risks for both access and safety that you need to be aware of. Best roofers Manchester survey can help you determine the condition of the roof

Before getting started on whatever roofing repair job you need to carry out on your home, it’s vital you fully consider how safely you can perform the work.

The key question before starting work is, will you need scaffolding or will a ladder be enough?

Of course, scaffolding is most likely to cost you more. But can you really put a price on your safety? Prices for small projects might start at around £200. But always make sure that whoever you hire your scaffolding from, they are fully qualified professionals as poorly constructed scaffolding would be a lot worse than using a ladder! There are accreditations you can look out for such as the Scaffolding Association and the Contractors Health & Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS).

While we provide our guidelines below, this is without seeing the project you have – So, you should always seek the advice of a professional who can view your project and situation. Along with us at Royston Scaffolding Ltd, many professionals offer free quotes on projects.

1. How big is the project?

If you are working on a small project such as a minor gutter repair or fallen roof tile towards the edge of the roof that only requires one or two people, then you may be OK with just a ladder. However for bigger repairs such as laying out new roof tiles across the whole roof and with larger teams Health and Safety will usually always advise that if you have more than four people working at height then you will require a proper risk assessment report, which essentially will mean you need scaffolding.

For jobs that require work on the entire roof you’re going to need scaffolding. Scaffolding will give those carrying out the repairs a sturdy, safe and secure platform to stand up on that lets them carry out the work far more efficiently than going up and down on a ladder every few moments. Not only that but for those on the ground it is also safer – If there is any risk of materials falling, then scaffolding with an edge fitted around the platform will alleviate this. A chute can also be installed to allow for safe transportation of materials. If you are unsure of exactly what type of scaffolding you need for your project, any local scaffolding expert should be able to help you – these home projects are very common and so are usually easy to hire from local scaffolders.

2. How long will it take?

If your project is going to take longer than a day, then scaffolding is almost always advisable. Not just because it will help make the job more efficient, but also the fact that the elements can take their toll after any number of days! Scaffolding is a lot safer in harsher weather conditions compared to a ladder.

3. When do I not need scaffolding?

Replacing the odd tile and fixing guttering are classic examples of jobs where you may not potentially need scaffolding. But if there’s any danger of falling materials to the ground below then you may need to go down the scaffolding route. Of course, you should always seek the advice of a qualified professional.

Single story flat roof extensions may also not need scaffolding. A ladder that’s been safely secured and a chute to remove discarded materials to the ground may be sufficient.

While it’s tempting to see if you can carry out the job yourself and save some money by not using scaffolding, your primary concern should be about your safety and not the cost.

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