Maintaining your Orange County roofing in good condition is not difficult. Since Orange County has more sunny days than other places and less than average rainfall compared to national figures, corrosion may not be as prevalent compared to wetter and colder places in the US. But when the time comes that you need to repaint your roof, we compiled these reference-type guides to safely help your painting job.

1. Put your ladder on solid footing. If it stands on the grass, dig holes at the bottom for more stability. If it stands on solid ground, place a board or other materials behind the legs to support them and prevent slippage.

2. Make sure the worksite is clean and free from clutters that could pose serious hazard. These include nails and other sharp objects lying on the floor, which could injure you if you happen to step on them.

3. If working on steeped portions of the roof, always wear a safety harness to prevent falling to the ground if you slip.

4. Carry one material at a time when climbing up the ladder. Hauling more than what is necessary is dangerous.

5. Equip yourself with the proper work clothes and accessories such as safety goggles and roofing shoes while working on the roof.

6. Do not work alone on the roof. Always have somebody with you at all times in case of accidents and during times when outside help is necessary.

7. Wooden or fiberglass ladders are preferred when working on the roof instead of metal ladders, which conduct electricity.

8. Use ladder stabilizer to attach the top of the ladder to the roof. This will prevent unfortunate accidents associated with the improper use of a ladder.

9. Never walk on the roof when it is slippery. Remember that falls due to accidental slipping is one of the most common causes of roof-related injuries.

10. Check the weather before working on the roof. If the probability of rain is high, call off your work to another day. The same goes for windy days. These are not the best times to do roofing work.

11. Concentrate on your job. Some people get distracted by the view while working on the roof. A momentary lapse of focus could lead to injuries.

12. Know your limitations. If you are not comfortable with working on high places, hiring a professional is the better alternative rather than risking your safety doing something you are not skilled with.

13. Do not work on the roof under extremely hot or cold weather. Shingles and other roofing materials could get damaged under extreme weather condition and prevent proper application of paint.

14. Be careful when working around power lines because they are extremely dangerous. Call the power utility company before working to ensure safety.

15. Do not forget to apply the right type of primer for your roof. Paints will not properly adhere to the surface if you used the wrong primer.

Accidents happen at work. They are sometimes unavoidable even if you observe utmost safety precautions. Roofing, in particular, is a hazardous job that exposes individuals to different risks, including falls, cuts, heat stroke and exhaustion. If injuries do occur, call medical assistance immediately and help the victim by applying first aid while waiting for help to arrive.

Below are the common injuries sustained from roof repair Houston accidents, and the steps that you can do while medical help is on the way.

1. Broken Bones

If the skin breaks and the bone protrudes, immediately stop the bleeding by applying pressure and control the swelling by applying ice packs. Look for any available strong and straight objects nearby and affix to the affected part to keep the limb immobile. Do not touch the bone pushing through the skin or attempt to set it back in place.

2. Minor Cuts

Clean the wound with water and soap to disinfect it and apply pressure with clean cloth or gauze. If no materials are available that could be used as dressing, thoroughly wash your hands and apply pressure to the wound using your fingers. Do not remove a blood-soaked bandage, simply apply a fresh one on top. For severe bleeding, raise the affected part above the heart level.

3. Head Injury

Make the victim lie down and ensure that breathing is not blocked. Place pillows or soft cloth under the head and shoulders and turn the head to one side. This will prevent accidental chocking while the victim awaits medical attention.

4. Heat Stroke

This condition is categorized as a medical emergency. Remove the victim from direct sunlight and into the shade. Putting the victim in an air-conditioned room is preferred. Apply ice or cold wet cloth on the armpits and neck area to cool the body. Never give water to a vomiting or non-alert individual.

5. Heat Exhaustion

Promptly get the victim out of heat and into a cool or air-conditioned room. Apply the cool compress, give the person a cold shower, spray water to cool the body temperature and give a cool sponge bath. If the victim is alert, give non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated drink to rehydrate.

6. Puncture Wounds

Remove the object that caused the wound, if it is small and could be easily removed. Stop the bleeding by applying pressure with clean cloth or gauze. Clean the wound with water and soap then apply antibiotic cream. Wrap the wound with sterile bandage or cloth to prevent dirt from getting in.

If you want your roof to last long and provide maximum protection to your mobile home for years to come, proper installation is a must as well as regular maintenance. Do-it-yourself mobile home roofing is practical and saves you money from installation costs. However, make sure that you follow the correct procedure in roof installation.

While installing roofs on your mobile homes, remember these practical and useful guides to ensure your safety and the best result from your work.

1. Working on the Roof

Walk near the edge of the roof when walking on the roof because that is usually the strongest area of the roof. For additional safety precaution, use a plywood or boardwalk when walking on the center of the roof.

2. Proper Use of Ladder

Ladder should be extended by at least three feet above the roof for convenience and safety. It is easier to get on and off the roof with the extra ladder protruding on the side of the roof serving as handhold. Secure the ladder with rope or other fastener to prevent accidental slippage while you are climbing.

3. Scaffolding for Convenience

Use a scaffolding instead of a ladder when you are installing foam closure strips or insulating the roof cavity on the edges of the roof. It may not be safe or convenient to use a ladder when doing this part of the work.

4. Wear Protective Gears

Protect yourself from dust and other fine materials when cleaning insulation. Blowing insulation produces dust that is harmful to the lungs and irritating to the eyes. Wear protective gears such as gloves and respirator to protect your health.

5. Preventing Fires

Avoid installing combustible materials within 2 inches of flue pipes. Mobile home flue pipes should have at least double or triple walls. Install extra metal pipe sleeve and metal collar at the ceiling or use noncombustible materials such as fiberglass to further contain the warm surface of flues.

6. Cleaning the Roof

Clean the roof before applying any sealant as the compound will not adhere properly to a dirty roof. Brush away any dirt, leaves or twigs that have settled on the roof. Once it is clean, look for cracks and holes and apply the sealant. Avoid walking on the roof while applying the sealant to ensure maximum adhesion. Use a ladder for those hard-to-reach areas.

7. Apply Sealant Twice

Double coatings are always better than one. Apply the sealant twice on the roof but allow the first layer to completely dry off before adding the second coating. Using a roller is preferable since you do not want to step on the roof while applying the sealant.