3 Important Safety Tips When Climbing a Roof

Most people avoid DIY roof repairs for one main reason: safety. It’s not just climbing the roof that is dangerous; it’s also having to carry all your tools as you move around. Keep in mind the following tips:

Learn the proper use of a ladder
If you don’t own one already, buy ($200) or rent (about $30 per day) a sturdy extension ladder that extends at least 3 ft. above the roof edge. Aluminum is the lightest, but fiberglass ladders provide better protection against electrocution in case the ladder accidentally touches a power line or live wire. If possible, set the ladder on firm, level ground. On uneven ground, place squares of plywood under one foot to level the ladder base and then secure it with wire or rope tied to stakes. Fasten the top of the ladder with rope or wire tied to a secure anchoring point such as a 20d nail driven into a rafter. That will keep it from sliding sideways as you step onto the roof. Source: FamilyHandyman

Know how to transition from the ladder to the roof
You’ve climbed the ladder. Now, you need to move onto the roof. Never step up and over the top of the ladder. Remember, it should extend at least 3 feet above the roof’s edge. Instead, hold onto the ladder with both hands and step around the ladder and onto the roof. When you get off the roof, take the same approach, holding onto the ladder and stepping around it instead of over the top. Source: Hunker

Using roof harness
Some roofs are so high and so steep that even working from scaffolding can be dangerous. A roofing harness provides the extra security you need when working on such a roof. It comes as a set that includes a rope, roof anchor, harness and lanyard for adjusting the tension of the rope. You secure the anchor to the peak by driving lag bolts into the rafters, and use the lanyard to maintain tension in the rope as you move around the roof. You must reposition the anchor when you begin working more than four feet to one side of it. Source: HomeGuides.SFGate

Don’t risk your safety just to save a few dollars. Let us do the job for you, and we’ll make sure that every dollar you spend is worth it. Call us!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8279 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4W1
(604) 360-2114

from Kerrisdale RD http://bit.ly/2wmTYjC

3 Most Difficult Home Repairs Better Left to the Pros

A DIY project is cheap, challenging, and most of all rewarding. However, there are some tasks that you should avoid, because one wrong move can cause damage or injury. Here are some of those:

Decks and Patio
You might think constructing your own deck or patio is the ultimate DIY dream: spending afternoons sawing, measuring, and hammering to create a one-of-a-kind outdoor oasis for your family.

Think again.

“I see the biggest messes connected with decks,” says Pablo Solomon, an artist and designer in Austin, TX, who has many times been “asked to rescue homeowners from their—or the previous owner’s—screw-ups.”

Building a deck is expensive and “requires more carpentry skill than one would think,” Solomon says. Instead of going the wood route, he recommends using stone, brick, or pavers to create an outdoor patio living space—a much simpler project that creates the same cozy feel. Source: Realtor

Paint Jobs
Many homeowners think they can save money by painting the interior or exterior of their properties themselves. After all, it just requires a trip to the hardware store and a few hours of making back-and-forth brush strokes, right?

But a bad paint job can have real consequences, especially if owners aren’t too handy with a brush and have plans to sell.

“A lot of people feel painting is pretty simple and that a fresh coat of paint does a lot for the sale of a home and gives it a fresh feel,” Hertzberg said. “But for a lot of people who don’t have experience painting, you can come in and see all the brush strokes. If people don’t paint properly, it can look like there are two tones, or you could get paint on the wood floor or countertops. They start out with good intentions, but end up damaging the property worse.” Source: CBSNews

Roofing
R­epairing a roof isn’t recommended for a do-it-yourselfer for one reason — it’s easy to fall off of. Repairing a roof shingle or two isn’t the toughest job in the world, but it’s getting up and down and carrying your tools with you that pose the risk of injury or death. It’s also very tiring work, and when you’re tired, you’re more prone to make a mistake. Just a quick slip is all it takes to send you over the edge of a second-story roof. Source: Home.HowStuffWorks

Save time, money, and energy by letting us do the work for you. Call us today!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8279 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4W1
(604) 360-2114

from Kerrisdale RD http://bit.ly/2JUDs2b

5 Tools Every Homeowner Should Have

As a homeowner, it’s necessary to have a collection of all the basic tools that you’ll need in case of an emergency repair. If you don’t have one yet, then start with the following:

Screwdrivers
Even if you have a battery-operated drill/driver, get a set of manual screwdrivers for the simple jobs like changing out a switch plate or tightening a cabinet knob. Get a variety pack with different types of screwdrivers – Phillips, slotted, Pozidriv – or get one screwdriver with interchangeable heads.  Source: DIYNetwork

Staple gun
Great for common stapling needs such as retacking carpet, securing fabric and installing sheets of insulation, a staple gun is the perfect tool for quick fastening jobs. Manual staple guns are the tool of choice for most homeowners because they’re generally easier to use and less expensive than electric and pneumatic staple guns. Source: WashingtonPost

Stepladder
Stretching and straining to reach the top shelf is almost asking for injury, so play it safe by keeping a stepladder close at hand. When you buy, pay attention to the ladder’s load capacity; you’ll want something that can support the weight of anyone who may use it. Source: BobVila

Utility Knife
You’ll be reaching for this tool again and again to open boxes, sharpen pencils, mark mortises, and shave wood. Spend a little more upfront for one with a comfortable rubber-covered handle and built-in blade storage. Then you’re more likely to pop in a fresh blade rather than forcing a dull one, which isn’t safe. Source: ThisOldHouse

Tape measure
Pretty much every single household repair or upgrade requires measuring something. Painting the living room? You need the room’s square footage to know how many gallons to buy. Replacing your sofa? Gotta measure door openings to see if it will fit. A tape measure is so ubiquitous, in fact, that when we make tool lists for step-by-step projects at This Old House, we leave it out. It’s understood. A 25-foot tape should be big enough. While you’re at it, grab a flat, fat carpenter’s pencil, which won’t break or roll away, to mark up your measurements. Source: GizModo

Is your emergency too difficult to DIY? Let us help you out! We’ve been in the business for more than 50 years, so rest assured your home is safe with us. Call us!

 

Contact:
Kerrisdale Roofing & Drains
8279 Ross St, Vancouver, BC V5X 4W1
(604) 360-2114

from Kerrisdale RD http://bit.ly/2vWBLJD