Week Beginning 15th February 2026
Rain, Roofs & Relentless Pivoting
If I had to summarise this week in one word, it would be: pivot.
If I had to summarise it in two words, it would be: British weather.
Sunday – Survey Tour of Nottinghamshire (Sort Of)
Sunday was meant to be my great survey catch-up day. I’ve been flat out recently and, if I’m honest, starting to feel the pressure of not getting around to people quickly enough. Mrs. Cherry Picker very kindly gave me the nod to head out and get on top of things.
Armed with a flask and determination, I set off across Nottinghamshire.
Stops included:
- Mansfield
- Newstead Abbey
- Langley Mill
- Heanor
- Hyson Green
- Nottingham
- Carlton
- Worksop
In other words, I did a full “Cherry Picker Man Tour of Nottinghamshire.”
Unfortunately, the weather decided to join me. Heavy rain by lunchtime meant photography was poor, roofs were slippery, and the quality of inspections wasn’t where I wanted it to be. Rather than deliver half-hearted reports, I pulled the plug and headed home around 1pm.
Not ideal but sometimes professionalism means knowing when to stop.
The day wasn’t a total loss though. A cappuccino and cake at Southwell Garden Centre with Mrs. Cherry Picker and my two little birds restored morale. Operational readiness: restored.
Monday – Weather Wins Again (But Surveys Get Done)
Monday was supposed to be ridge tile re-bedding work with Tomek. Mortar work and rain don’t mix, not if you want it to last, so I stood him down and pivoted back into survey mode.
Despite the showers, I managed to complete everything left unfinished from Sunday. It wasn’t comfortable, but it was productive.
Back at DJI HQ, I spent a solid hour reorganising the truck and trailer ready for a big job later in the week. That kind of behind-the-scenes prep doesn’t make flashy content, but it keeps everything running smoothly.
Tuesday – Chimney Leak Sorted in Tamworth
Finally, a proper hands-on job.
I was out the house by 7am, with Tomek arriving bang on time at 7:30. Destination: Tamworth, to fix a chimney leak caused by completely failed flaunching and leaky chimney cowls.
The old flaunching was cracked and letting water down the flues, causing damp internally. The solution:
- Remove all failed concrete
- Clean down the chimney
- Prime with SBR
- Install new 3-in-1 sharp sand and cement flaunching
- Seal cowls properly
This was textbook chimney maintenance and repair work done properly and methodically. (If you’re ever dealing with chimney leaks, this is exactly the sort of issue we handle through our chimney repair and maintenance services.)
Leak neutralised.
On the way home, I let Tomek drive the truck and trailer for the first time. Then we spent an extra hour in Bilsthorpe on a quiet ex-pit road practising reversing. Investing in people pays dividends long-term.
That evening? Cubs Pancake Day.
I swapped flaunching trowels for frying pans. Structural integrity varied.
Wednesday – Industrial Units, Wasps & Football Recovery
Wednesday started cold but productive.
Phoenix Centre, Nottingham
I repaired slipped slates above the entrance of a large industrial unit and then cleared gutters that were absolutely chock-a-block with leaves. Blocked gutters are silent troublemakers, they cause overflow, staining and damp. This was proper preventative gutter clearance work.
If you’re dealing with similar issues, it’s exactly the type of thing we cover in our gutter clearance and maintenance services.
From there, it was materials collection from Wright’s Roofing in Bulwell.
Then over to Mapperley Park to finally repair a small roof section I’d previously abandoned due to an aggressive wasp’s nest. This time, no airborne hostility. Hole fixed. Leak hopefully solved.
While packing up, the neighbour popped over and asked for a chimney repair quote. On-site marketing at its finest.
Final stop: Nottingham High School for a roof inspection on the Player Hall. Flat roof outlets cleared… and several footballs and tennis balls rescued.
My seven-year-old daughter is delighted with her “roof recovery” football collection.
Thursday – Gutter Install Pivot & A Big Delivery
Thursday was meant to be a gutter installation in Arnold on a block of flats.
I arrived. Parked. Set up.
Only to discover the electrician hadn’t removed a light that was directly in the way. Apparently, electricians don’t work in the rain.
Roofers do.
With access compromised, I pivoted again. Collected materials from Wright’s Roofing and headed to Loughborough instead to repair soffit boards and replace guttering on a three-storey block of flats.
Rainy days are actually ideal for spotting drainage issues. Watching water behaviour tells you everything.
Later, I carried out a roof report on Thorny Cliff Road in Nottingham before heading back to DJI HQ.
Where I was greeted by something very exciting.
A shipping container had been delivered.
This isn’t just storage it’s growth. Space equals capacity. Capacity equals opportunity.
Friday – Flashings, Rowan Sealant & A Flat Tyre
Friday was meant to be chimney repointing and re-launching in Retford.
Rain said no.
So by 9:30am I’d reorganised and headed to Ashby-de-la-Zouch instead to repair leaking flashings on a chimney.
The job involved removing old sealant between the lead and brickwork and installing new. I used Rowan sealant (kindly donated by Geoff Smith, the Roofing Outlaw) for the first time and I was impressed.
Quick, clean, watertight.
Back at the trailer… flat tyre.
Of course.
Changed it. Sorted it. Headed home.
I’d planned to squeeze in a roof survey, but by 2:30pm the heavens opened properly and I decided enough was enough.
Shower. Gym jams. Reset.
The Bigger Picture
This week wasn’t about big dramatic jobs. It was about:
- Adapting to relentless weather
- Refusing to compromise on quality
- Covering Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and beyond
- Training and development
- Growing infrastructure
- Solving leaks properly
- And occasionally rescuing footballs
Whether it’s detailed roof repair work, chimney issues, gutter problems, or high-level access using a cherry picker, the aim is always the same: do it properly, or don’t do it at all.
Onwards to next week hopefully with less rain.
Keep Up With the Cherry Picker Man
- 🌐 Website: www.dji-uk.co.uk
- 🎥 YouTube: @dan_cherrypicker_man
- 🎵 TikTok: @dan_cherrypicker_man
- 📸 Instagram: @dan_cherrypicker_man
- 👍 Facebook: Dan the Cherry Picker Man
- Google Business page: dji high access services – Google Search
- Amazon shop: https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/danthecherrypickerman?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_0H3MM4YGDVAPRTXQJAYV_1
Workwear Sponsor
This week’s roofing adventures from rain-soaked chimney repairs to flat-tyre Fridays were powered by kit that can handle British weather properly.
My workwear is sponsored by Granite Workwear. Proper tough gear, built for trades, and ideal when you’re hanging off a roof in sideways rain.
If you’re in the trade and want durable, no-nonsense clothing that actually lasts, check them out here:
👉 https://www.graniteworkwear.com/?afid=danny
About the Author
Danny Iwanejko is the owner of DJI High Access Services Ltd and the man behind “Dan the Cherry Picker Man.” Based in Nottinghamshire, Danny specialises in high-access roof repairs, chimney maintenance, guttering, and problem-solving at height using his spider cherry picker.
Through his “Roof Tops and Pit Stops” blog series, Danny documents the real, unfiltered week-to-week life of a working roofer — the wins, the weather battles, the mechanical mishaps, and the lessons learned along the way.
He shares regular behind-the-scenes content across YouTube and social media, helping homeowners understand their roofs and giving fellow tradespeople an honest look at life in the industry.
