Cherry pickers are a useful asset for any roofer, providing a quick, versatile and often cost-effective alternative to scaffolding. However, not all jobs require a cherry picker – and in many cases, scaffolding is best.
In this post, we’ll look at four types of roofing job where a cherry picker comes out on top.
1. Hard to access
If a property or its roof is difficult to get to, it’s also tricky to erect scaffolding around it. That could be down to nearby outbuildings, narrow passageways, or just surrounding trees. In these instances, a cherry picker can make things easier.
Cherry pickers can extend out from different angles to navigate around obstacles and provide access to hard-to-reach roofs.
2. High buildings
Another instance where cherry pickers are useful is with particularly high roofs. If a building is more than 2-3 storeys high, scaffolding poses three main issues:
- Firstly, it takes much longer to erect scaffolding at such a height.
- Secondly, erecting such a vast amount of scaffolding would also be a lot more costly.
- Additionally, it’s more difficult (and potentially less safe) for roofers if they have to climb up and down larger ladders to get to the top of the scaffolding.
With a conventional cherry picker, roofers can be quickly and safely transported to roofs of up to 90 feet. That’s approximately nine stories high on an average building.
3. Emergency repairs
It’s always best to get your roof repaired as soon as possible to avoid more serious issues developing – as well as to provide you with peace of mind. Still, there are certain situations where time really is of the essence.
If the roof is leaking on a shop, every minute without a repair is another minute with a potential slipping hazard for customers – or even downtime for the business altogether. The same is true for hospitals, schools or offices, where a leaking roof can see parts of a building out of use until the issue is fixed.
In these instances, constructing scaffolding could take several hours, which means more downtime or safety risks for the premises. With a cherry picker, roofers can reach the problem area in a matter of minutes to make the necessary repairs.
4. Bad weather
High winds and extremely heavy rain can take their toll on roofs, especially those which already have small, hidden issues. Bad weather doesn’t immediately disappear once your roof has storm-damage. That means it’s unsafe to access your roof with a ladder during this time.
Fortunately, a cherry picker allows roofers to access the roof safely, so they can make repairs and prevent serious damage to your property, even in wet and windy conditions.
Finding roofers with a cherry picker
If you want a roofer to use a cherry picker, it’s always best to look for a company that has access to their own. For one, they don’t have to arrange to hire one and spend time picking it up, which can all add to the total duration of the job at hand.
It’s also cheaper, as they own the cherry picker outright. That means there’s no hefty rental costs to be passed onto you – just a quick, cost-effective solution for your roof.
At DPR Roofing in Wakefield, we have invested in a state-of-the-art, two-man powered access boom, in fact they have 2 cherry pickers, so we can carry out all of the roofing jobs listed above. If you’d like to find out more or arrange repairs with our cherry picker, call us on 01924 255 677 or email [email protected].