Organising roof repairs can be time consuming and stressful at the best of times. Things get even more complicated if your property needs scaffolding in order for repairs to be completed. But is there a way around this complication?
Read on to see how you can sidestep scaffolding and the associated complexities on your roof repairs.
Why is scaffolding needed?
We’ve all seen scaffolding up as we pass buildings in the street. But why exactly is it there? In short, it’s for safety. Scaffolding provides a steady working platform to increase stability and hugely minimise the risk of accidents when working at height.
It’s highly recommended for jobs over a long period or those where conditions aren’t ideal. While roofers can access and work on most domestic roofs safely, for instance, they might not be able to do so with a ladder if the roof is several storeys high.
Similarly, if they need to work on part of your roof for several days at a time, it might be best to install scaffolding, so they don’t have to spend prolonged periods up a ladder or on a sloped roof. The HSE guidelines are to use scaffolding with edge protection wherever possible and practical.
The downside of scaffolding
Scaffolding clearly has its merits. However, there are also some downsides when it comes to roofing. For one, it adds significantly to the price of the job. Whether roofers install scaffolding themselves or outsource it to a scaffolding specialist, they will pass the cost directly onto you – which should be clearly outlined in your quote.
On top of that, there’s the time element. Domestic scaffolding will typically take a few hours to install. For larger, commercial projects, you could be looking at a couple of days. Whatever the case, it will add to the total time it takes to get your roof repaired completely and could cause further disruption to your day to day life. There is the added security risk that you now have a perfect ‘climbing frame’ for would be burglars.
Sidestepping scaffolding
Fortunately, scaffolding isn’t the only option or your roof repairs. Most roofs that are difficult to access can be reached by a powered access boom. This has the clear advantage of being much quicker than designing and installing scaffolding on your property, providing a stable platform for workers in a matter of minutes.
The only potential downside is that many roofers don’t have their own powered access boom. To hire one specifically for your repairs, you could be looking at a hefty price tag.
DPR’s powered access boom
At DPR Roofing in Wakefield, we have our very own powered access booms for use on particularly high or difficult to reach roofs. Our state-of-the-art booms provide stable access for two workers when work needs to be carried out quickly. Because we own the equipment, there’s no extra costs passed onto you for rental and we can make sure it’s available when required.
If you want to arrange repairs without the hassle, cost and delays of scaffolding, we’re on hand to help. Give us a call on 01924 255 677 to arrange an inspection and quote from one of our expert roofers.