Anyone who's ever tried to fix their own roof knows that it can be an enormous pain. It is expensive and time-consuming, and sitting up on the roof with a vat of hot tar is not exactly a pleasant way to spend an afternoon. Not surprisingly, there are a lot of potential injuries that lurk on the unfinished roof, from burns to falls to back problems. If you're thinking about attempting a do-it-yourself home roof repair, you should consider the potential dangers before you throw on the tool belt and climb up the ladder.
The Need for a Good Roof
If your roof isn't properly sealed and maintained, you could potentially face serious leaking problems, which can result in very costly water damage. Asphalt shingles tend to wear out after about ten years, although depending on where you live and how much precipitation you get, this time frame could chance.
If you need to replace your roof, you have two options: either replacing it yourself, or hiring a professional roofing company to do it for you.Which option you choose really depends on your level of expertise. While non-experts can certainly do a good roofing job, it takes a fair amount of handiness and skill. So if you're the kind of person whose home repair ability ends at changing a light bulb, you may want to consider hiring a professional roofer to do the work for you. But if you do have a fair amount of skill at such things, you can usually purchase how-to guides at home improvement stores or even all-purpose stores.
Common Accidents
Before you commit to going up there and re-roofing your house, you should be aware of the potential hazards and common accidents that go along with the job. If you have back problems or are afraid of heights, you may want to go with the professionals. Common injuries that can occur from roofing jobs include:
- Burns. When you're working with hot tar, you run the risk of burning yourself. Tar has a high boiling point, which means it has a high potential for causing burns. Because of its viscous nature, tar not only burns, but sticks to the flesh. If you do get burned by tar, you need to get medical attention immediately.
- Falls. This one is admittedly pretty obvious, but that doesn't make it any less dangerous. Roofs have a slant to them, which means that if you're not being careful, it's quite easy to lose your footing and fall off. This is especially true when you're tearing up the roof and replacing it. If you're planning on repairing the roof on your own, you should make sure you're not alone when you do so.
Common Roofing Accidents