The holiday season is fast approaching. If you are like most people, you have not finished or even started decorating your house or building with fancy lights and ornaments. Before you do there are some tips and safety concerns you need to address before attempting any work on or around your roof.

Ladder Safety

Unless you live in an underground shelter, there is no other way to get to your roof other than a ladder so you need to know how to use it properly to prevent injury.

In Canada, there are thousands of injuries and dozens of deaths from ladder related falls. Even industry professionals make mistakes with over 1500 work-related injuries reported last year due to a fall from a ladder. Knowing how to use a ladder properly is the key to maintaining your safety and health. Some basic safety tips must be followed before using a ladder as outlined below.

1. Always use a CSA approved ladder designed to reach the height of your roof.
2. Inspect the ladder for damage before use.
3. Make sure the ladder is dry and the rungs are free from dirt and paint.
4. Place the feet of the ladder on firm ground and secure it to a stationary object, post, or have someone hold the base to keep it from sliding.
5. Open a step ladder fully before using.
6. Check for overhead wires before raising the ladder. Electrical wires are dangerous even when insulated.
7. Ensure the ladder extends 3 feet from the top of the roof before accessing the roof.
8. When using a ladder to access a roof, secure the top of the ladder to a stationary object to keep from sliding when exiting the ladder.
9. Use the 4:1 rule: The ladder should be 1 foot from the building for every 4 feet it extends up the wall.
10. Never work alone. If you fall someone should be with you to give aid.

Working Around the Eaves

The most popular method of hanging Christmas lights is to attach them to the eavestrough. Never nail or staple the lights to the eaves, this could cause damage to the roof which will lead to a leak. Always use hangers designed for the eavestrough.

Rooftop Displays

Rooftop displays are popular these days. If you have a flat roof, you have an ideal location for displaying a nice inflatable or holiday cut-out. When securing them to your roof, you should never fasten them directly to the roof, or you may cause permanent damage. Instead, find a heavy object that will remain stationary and fasten the display to it. The weight will hold the display without damaging your roof.

Test the lights

There is nothing more frustrating than climbing a ladder to your rooftop only to find that the lights you just hauled up don’t work. Always test the lights and displays on the ground to ensure they are in proper working order. This will save you time and frustration when installing them. If the lights seem to flicker, there could be a short in the wiring which can be a fire hazard. Discard the lights to prevent a short from destroying your house.

Inspect the Roof

While you are on the roof why not take some time to do a quick visual of the roof. Look for any loose shingles, ponding water, cracked sealant around vents and mechanical units, or even critters making their winter home in your roof. It is far better to find the problem now and have a roofing professional come and fix the problem before it becomes a bigger problem down the road. Most potential problems found in roofs can easily be fixed and at a reasonable cost.

Whether you are decorating for the season or taking down the decorations from last year. Do it safely and with some common sense to avoid injuries and damage to your building or home.

Contact Essential Flat Roofing for all your roofing needs.