Duravex Roofing Group: Our services include roof cleaning, roof painting, roof restoration, and providing high-quality roofing materials.
Typically, the pitch of roofs in NSW ranges from 15 to 22.5 degrees, varying based on the materials used and the type of the roof. However, if the slope of your roof is far steeper than what has been mentioned, it presents a distinct hazard to roofers who must stand on it for the purpose of repairs, painting, cleaning, or restoration.
At Duravex Roofing Group, we prioritise the well-being of our employees and the contentment of our clients. It is important to understand that obtaining professional roof restoration services does not pose any risks to anyone. In this post, we will demonstrate our methods for ensuring the safety of our tradespeople as they perform high-quality work on extremely steep roofs.
A steep roof is defined as a roof that has a high slope or pitch.
- Ensuring safety while working on steep roofs
- Restoration of a roof with a steep incline
- Avoid attempting to perform tasks on steep roofs without professional assistance.
What is the definition of a steep roof?
A roof with a pitch of 28 degrees or greater is classified as steep and necessitates certain measures to guarantee a secure working environment. According to SafeWork NSW, a roof is considered an “inappropriate surface to stand on” after it reaches an inclination of 35 degrees. In such cases, more caution is necessary.
If you are uncertain about the degree of pitch of your roof, you can alternatively calculate the slope using standard measures. More precisely, you aim to quantify the vertical increase in the roof’s elevation over a specified horizontal distance. A roof with a slope greater than six inches per foot of horizontal length should be classified as steep and treated accordingly.
Typical issues encountered with steep roofs across NSW
Steep roofs are occasionally essential, while other times they are purely a matter of visual preference. Nevertheless, they do possess certain drawbacks. Here are some of the most crucial factors to consider.
Roofing material undergoes degradation over time and frequently fails to function at the same level as when it was initially placed. – Occupational safety and health
Hazardous work environment:
According to SafeWork NSW, any circumstance where there is a risk of falling more than 2 metres is classified as “high risk construction work”. During these circumstances, their protocols necessitate the control and mitigation of risks like as instability, accidental falls from exposed edges, and stumbling over objects. Consider the additional level of caution required when factoring in the incline of the roof.
Higher cost of upkeep:
Steep roofs are not only more hazardous to work on, but they also require higher expenses for maintenance. If the maintenance involves tasks such as painting, tile replacement, power washing, or similar activities, it is quite likely that the job will require a slower pace and a crew with greater experience. In addition, the use of safety equipment such as harnesses or a boom lift may be required to ensure the safe completion of the task, resulting in additional expenses.
Incompatibility of solar panels:
Solar panels are typically suitable for a wide range of commonly found steep roof angles. Once the temperature reaches 40 degrees, however, you may experience a decrease in the efficiency of your solar panels. Several variables must be considered, including the latitude of your residence, as it directly impacts the sun’s angle. In the end, it is advisable to rely on the expertise and decision-making of your solar panel installer.
Ensuring workers safety while working on steep rooftops:
Due to the hazardous nature of steep roofs, it is imperative that you entrust the completion of your task to a certified expert. Avoid the potential hazards of attempting a do-it-yourself project and do not accept the services of an inexperienced individual who may lack insurance coverage, so making you liable for any mishaps that may happen.
A professional will implement certain precautions as mandated by SafeWork NSW.
Roof work is primarily associated with fatalities and injuries resulting from falls from elevated positions.
Workplace Safety Procedure:
Engaging in work under hazardous circumstances necessitates the creation of a legally mandated document known as a safe work method statement (SWMS). The SWMS will include the strategies for mitigating the many risks associated with the activity. If you are collaborating with a reputable company, do not hesitate to verify that they have a documented Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) in place.
Devices designed to avoid falls:
Roofers utilise several tactics and instruments as an initial defence to proactively avoid falls. These measures might range from temporary guard railings that safeguard hazardous edges to safety meshes that are primarily intended to protect workers in the event of a fall through a roof.
High-level access equipment:
Frequently, in situations where fall prevention equipment is not feasible, roofers will employ a boom lift to reach the work location. A boom lift is a type of equipment consisting of an enclosed platform that may be vertically adjusted as required. They offer far more stability and fall avoidance compared to ascending and descending a ladder or attempting to maintain balance on a high roof.
Elevating Work Platforms (EWP) or Work Positioning systems:
Occasionally, a tradesperson may require access to areas of the roof that are inaccessible using a boom lift. When it is not possible to utilise guard rails and other equipment designed to prevent falls, workers may employ a work positioning system. Typically, these safety devices comprise of body belts and harnesses that enable roofers to work with both hands while also keeping them from accessing hazardous edges.
Systems designed to prevent falls:
Scaffolding – Fall arrest System
As a last safety measure, roofers may utilise technologies that prevent or reduce the occurrence of falls in the unlikely event that they do occur. An example that is frequently encountered is a catch platform. This is essentially a structure made of scaffolding that is fastened with guardrails and placed near the work area. If a tradesperson was to fall, they would only fall a relatively short distance to the platform. Fall-arrest devices are not intended to completely avoid all injuries, but they can mitigate what might otherwise be a fatal fall into a significantly less severe incidence.
What is the method employed by workers to traverse steep roofs?
We have previously delineated several crucial safety factors pertaining to roof construction in general. For roofs that have a particularly steep incline, defined as being greater than 35 degrees according to SafeWork NSW, workers must exercise additional caution.
These rooftops are deemed hazardous for standing, even with a catch platform installed. Therefore, SafeWork NSW mandates the implementation of at least two out of the following three safety precautions:
- Roofers have the option to operate from scaffolding positioned at the edge of the roof instead of standing directly on the roof.
- Roofers can operate from a roof ladder, which is usually fastened with hooks at the highest point of the roof.
- Roofers can utilise work positioning systems, such as the ones mentioned above harnesses.
Roof refurbishment with a high incline / Steep Pitch Roof
Even roofs with a high incline require gentle attention and maintenance. Do not disregard your own tasks simply because they are challenging to handle. Delaying the cleaning, painting, or repairing of your roof may decrease its overall lifespan. A minuscule fractured tile initiates the growth of mildew, such as fungi, which accumulates water that gradually infiltrates your residence.
Engaging the services of a reputable steep roofing business with in Greater Sydney Region, Sydney Metropolitan Area, southern Highlands, Blue Mountains, Wollongong, and Newcastle will provide you with the assurance that your roof is in good condition and that the workers are protected.
At Duravex Roofing Group, we offer a wide range of services to assist you, regardless of the pitch of your roof.
- Steep Pitch Roof Hi- Pressure Cleaning of roofs.
- Steep Pitch Roof Restoration and Roof Painting.
- Steep Pitch Roof Detection and rectification of Roof leaks.
- Steep Pitch Roof Restoration of roof affected by storm damage.
- Steep Pitch Roof Restoration, Roof repair and roof tile replacement.
- Steep Pitch Roof ridge capping re- bedding and repointing.
- Steep Pitch Roof Replacement, repair of the roof gutter system.
- Steep Pitch Roof Total roof renovation, restoration system.
- Steep Pitch Roof conversation of Roof tiles to Metal Roofing.
Roof repair on a steeply sloped or High Pitch roof
Repairing steep tile roofs can be challenging or straightforward, depending on the extent of the damage. Repairing tiles with small fissures is very easy, particularly if they are located on the periphery of the roof and can be reached without the need to climb on top of it. roof degradation, such as tiles that are loose or fractured, will necessitate more meticulous attention. These objects can create slippery conditions for roofers who need to reach the centre of the roof, hence safety harnesses and other work placement systems are necessary.
Similarly, the process of re-bedding or repointing typically entails the labour-intensive task of extracting the deteriorated mortar. This task can be physically strenuous; thus, it is advisable to entrust it to roofing professionals who have received training in contemporary and secure methods of working on roofs.
Applying paint to a tile, terracotta, or concrete roof with a steep incline
It is important to note that when painting tile roofs, only concrete tiles should be painted, as terracotta tiles are not intended to be painted. If your terracotta tiles are aged and dilapidated, it is advisable to consider replacing them rather than opting for painting. The process of roof painting normally begins with the initial step of pressure washing the roof, followed by the application of many layers of roof paint using a sprayer. Due to the use of high-pressure tools, both the cleaning and painting operations can pose significant risks, particularly on steep roofs.
Applying paint to a high-angle metal roof
The experts at Duravex Roofing Group have been specialising in high angle or steep pitch roof painting in Sydney for a considerable period, and we particularly like working with COLORBOND steel roofing. Homeowners concerned about the steepness of their metal roof may hesitate to repaint it, fearing it may be challenging or impossible. However, as previously demonstrated, qualified professionals can safely work on roofs of any slope by following the appropriate safety measures.
Due to the longer lifespans and warranty periods of Colorbond roofing compared to tile roofs, converting from tile to metal may be a more favourable choice.
Avoid attempting to perform tasks on steep roofs without professional assistance.
Say NO to DIY Steep Pitch Roofing
We consistently advise homeowners against attempting DIY steep pitch roofing, and this caution is particularly applicable when it involves working on a steep roof.
SafeWork NSW implemented these safety regulations for a purpose, not only to cause inconvenience. Their motivation stemmed from the fact that falls from elevated positions ranked as the second most prevalent cause of construction-related injuries and the primary cause of construction-related deaths.
The risk outweighs the potential benefits. If you require steep roof restoration, roof repairs, roof painting, or any other related services, it is advisable to contact a skilled professional who possesses the necessary equipment and expertise to complete the task safely. Contact Duravex Roofing Group!