Roof Ladders and Scaffold Towers: The Perfect Combo

With a couple of footballs, an Aerobie and a soggy looking teddy bear on the roof, it's about time you got up there and sorted things out. While you're on the roof you can fix the wonky tiles and mend any little holes that could become big leaks in the not too distant.

You can't put it off any more, you have to get up on that roof, preferably on a hired roof ladder. Although the Working at Height Regulations were created in 2005 for the construction industry, they provide us DIYers with oodles of common sense for our own projects. Don't scramble to the roof without thinking carefully about your safety; hire a roof ladder and a scaffold tower to give yourself safe, solid platforms from which to work.

"Scrabble Lazy Susan"

OK then, how are roof ladder best used?

Most hired roof ladders are lightweight and designed specifically to access your roof. They have wheels on one side, load-bearing bars to keep roof damage to a minimum and a large hook at one end that clasps the roof ridge.

To position your hired roof ladder safely, standing from the safety of a scaffold tower, roll the roof ladder out over the roof with the wheel-side down. When the hook is the far side of your roof's ridge, gently spin it over so the hook-side is facing down the other side of your roof. To be absolutely certain that the ladder is in position make sure you can't see the hook.

Scaffold Tower Access

Most roof ladders are so light that you can put them into position using just one hand, but hiring a scaffold tower will provide you with a safe, stable platform from which to position that ladder. While hired roof ladders have load-bearing bars in place so you don't damage your roof and to provide a little extra grip, and the rungs always have a high-grip design to provide the maximum in safety. However, having a scaffold tower under the eaves is the best way to ensure your safety at height.

Stay Safe

Of course, if you're galumphing around on the roof you need to be extremely careful. Good-quality roof ladders don't make you infallible, it doesn't matter how aware, even the slightest of slips can wind up as a dreadful accident, or worse. Hiring a scaffold tower gives you the peace of mind that if you do happen to slide, you will only go as far as the gutters - leaving you with a story, rather than a new way of life. To avoid damaging the roof, it is wise to wear sneakers or sports shoes, instead of heavy work boots, which have a big sole and. They are also better for you to feel the roof and remain safe.

Although it is generally recommended that strolling around on the roof tile is best avoided, there are times like this when you have no choice.

Walking the Walk

When you are actually walking on the roof away from your hired roof ladder always walk along the bottom three inches of the tiles, where they overlap with those below - so where they are stronger - and are attached to the tile batons (wooden planks that are connected to the roof frame).

Walk parallel to the ridge, distributing your weight evenly and as softly as possible. Bring a square of heavy-duty foam - maybe cut from an old sofa - to give you a non-slip, comfortable base. The foam slice will spread your weight over a bigger area, which reduces the chance of more cracked tiles. The rigid foam will grip the roof, lowering your chance of slippage.

With your safety in mind get in touch with a contract hire business that will provide you with the perfect roof ladder and scaffold tower combination, so you can get your roof looking spic-and-span again.

Roof Ladders and Scaffold Towers: The Perfect Combo

Matt Browne, managing director of lakeside-hire.co.uk, draws on his knowledge built over twenty years in the construction industry, to advise DIYers, and industry professionals, on working at height solutions. His aim is to help regular DIYers work safely especially when they're off the ground. Get in touch to find out how best to hire a scaffold tower.