Do I need scaffolding for roof repair or replacement? Find out more about how scaffolding is used by roofers for roof repair and replacement projects.
Does My Roof Project Need Scaffolding?
For almost all roofing jobs, a common feature you can spot is scaffolding. This is a very easy way to tell that a building is having work done on the roof.
But if you are thinking of having roof work of your own carried out, you might be curious whether you can save money on the job by not having the scaffolding installed at all.
During this article, we will describe the role that scaffolding plays in a roofing project, whether scaffolding is always necessary, and some other important scaffolding considerations too.
What is the point of scaffolding?
Scaffolding is much more than just an eyesore on the exterior of a commercial property or home.
Far from it, in fact. Scaffolding provides roof workers with safe and temporary access to your roofing. This structure can also be used to support various materials.
This means that workers can work from the top of the scaffold rather than having to take regular trips back down in order to collect bits of materials.
Although, at first, scaffolding may seem to be a huge inconvenience for you due to the cost and general appearance; scaffolding is massively beneficial for roof workers as it makes the process of working on a roof much quicker, safer, and easier.
Is it necessary?
As you can probably imagine, the answer to whether or not scaffolding is a necessity is a very clear yes. The only times when scaffolding is not needed is for roofing work when the roof can be easily accessed from within the property. For example, with stairs that lead up to a flat roof or a low-pitched roof.
There are also some specific instances where scaffolding is not suitable for the situation. This may be due to a notably awkward or hard to reach area. If work is being done on a property with more than two storeys, then a powered access platform can be the better option. These machines will typically reach up to around ninety feet. They are a much quicker and far more cost-effective option when access is difficult or for emergency work.
How much does it cost?
The average cost of scaffolding will depend on the size of the property it is being used on. The price starts at around £400 on smaller terraced homes where the scaffolding will only be required at the front and the back. However, the price can easily climb upwards of £2000 on larger detached properties where the scaffolding will need to be erected on all sides of the building.
The important element to remember is that the cost of the scaffolding is worth every penny. Firstly, scaffolding is absolutely essential to ensure the roof work, such as a replacement, can be carried out safely. The scaffolding also ensures that the roofers can do their work properly without needing to cut corners.
The main benefit from your point of view is that it allows the workers to carry out anything they need to do quickly and efficiently. If a roofer attempts to replace a roof with no scaffolding in place, the work will take a lot longer, and the results will be significantly diminished. This also means that there will be a huge added cost for all the extra time taken, plus all the costs from having the shoddy work done all over again.
With all of these aspects in mind, it is worth making sure that any roofing quote that you receive has the cost of scaffolding included. This will avoid any unexpected extra costs, as well as sidestep the possibility of the roofer trying to attempt the work without scaffolding in place.
Do you need scaffolding or a ladder for roof repairs?
Before you get started on whatever roof repair job you have planned for your home, it is important that you fully assess how you can safely carry out all of this work. The most important question that you need to ask before you start the work is whether you will need scaffolding to be installed or will a ladder simply be enough.
Of course, scaffolding will certainly end up costing you more, but you cannot really put a price on the safety of yourself and the people around you.
The cost of scaffolding for small projects will begin at around £200. Ensure that whoever you are hiring the scaffolding from can be trusted and are fully qualified professionals. There are different accreditations you can keep your eye out for, such as the Scaffolding Association and the Contractors Health & Safety Assessment Scheme.
How big is the project?
If you are working on smaller roof projects, such as some minor gutter repair or fallen roof tiles towards the edge of the roof that will only require one or two people to fix the issue, then you may be okay just to use a ladder for the work.
However, for bigger repair works, such as installing new roof tiles across the length of the whole roof, and working with larger teams, then health and safety experts will always advise that a full and proper risk assessment report will need to be carried out, and this will mean you scaffolding will be required.
For work that requires labour on the entire roofing area, then scaffolding will be needed. Scaffolding will give the people who are carrying out the repairs a secure, safe, and sturdy platform to work upon that will allow the workers to carry out their work at a much more efficient rate due to not having to be going up and down ladders every few moments.
Not only this, but scaffolding is also much safer for those who are working on the ground. If there is any risk of materials falling from the roof, then scaffolding that has been fitted with an edge will alleviate this. Chutes can also be installed in order to allow for the safe movement of materials.
If you are not completely sure of which type of scaffolding you will need for your project, then you should speak with your local scaffolding expert. They should be able to help you with any advice you will need.
How long will it take?
If your project is going to take more than a day to complete, then scaffolding is highly advisable in almost every situation.
This is not just because it will assist in making the job much more efficient to complete, but you also have to consider the weather. Over several days, the elements can take their toll on your roofing. Scaffolding is much safer when working in harsher weather conditions in comparison to a ladder.
Large scale project
Flat roofs may not require scaffolding
When do I not need scaffolding?
Some classic examples of jobs where it is unlikely for you to need full scaffolding are simple things like replacing one or two toles on your roofing or fixing some guttering.
But whenever there is any danger of materials falling from the roof to the ground below, then there is a chance that you will need to take a look at having scaffolding installed. Of course, it is always recommended that you speak to a qualified professional before you make any decisions.
Any single-story flat roof extensions may also not need to have scaffolding installed. If a ladder has been safely secured, as well as a chute to remove discarded materials, then this should be sufficient.
Why roofers use scaffolding
Professional roof workers protect themselves, as well as your roof, in multiple ways when they are going through their work.
This can include small touches, such as wearing personal protective equipment, to larger scale techniques, such as securing the site. It is likely that you have seen the erection of scaffolding around a property. This is often done because roof repairs are being carried out or a whole new roof structure is being installed.
Below is a brief guide as to why roofers always use scaffolding:
Working at height
Safe roofing practices are incredibly important to protect the professionals working on a site, as well as anyone else who is nearby. This includes the people coming and going from the property that is being worked on. Roofing jobs will require the professionals to be working at height, so any tasks carried out should only be done by a team who have all the correct training and equipment.
Scaffolding is one of the major safety recommendations from the HSE, also known as the Health and Safety Executive, in order to help prevent falls and accidents from occurring when working on this type of job.
Practical work platforms
Scaffolding will often make the roofing work much easier due to the working platforms. These allow the roofers to reach different zones that they need to access much more quickly and much easier.
It will also give the workers a designated safe route back to the ground for when any other equipment or materials need to be collected. It means that they will not have to keep getting to the roof through the inside of the property, which can be highly disruptive to the residents of the building.
Scaffolding can be very meticulously designed with plenty of different components which can be put together in order to help the work that the roofers need to carry out be done as easily as possible. This can mean including components such as guard rails, access gates, horizontal decks, ladders, and much more.
Securing the roof area
Whether it is the repointing of ridge tiles or repairing a chimney stack, then scaffolding can provide additional types of support for different roofing structures. This also includes smaller styles of scaffolding which are designed in order to secure areas being rebuilt.
The main structure is designed to help protect the sides of a property, including the windows, bricks, and other features. Essentially the areas of the property that could very easily become damaged if any debris were to make contact with them. It can also be used to shield exposed roofs from the weather while a job is taking place.
Transporting waste and roofing materials
Just like with any other type of building work, roofing tasks can produce huge amounts of debris and waste that need to be carefully handled and safely removed from the area. Under no circumstances is it ever safe to throw debris from the top of a building. Scaffolding can be used in order to facilitate the movement of the waste to the correct location.
Small parts can easily be carried while going up or down the scaffolding structure, but roofers can also install chutes to the scaffolding in order to assist with the safe transportation of different heavy materials to the ground level.
Chute installed to the scaffolding
Securing the roofing area
Edmonton Scaffolding Services provides roof scaffolding supply in and around London. Our company provides a range of domestic scaffolding services for roof repair in London.
