Slippery (dry) Rubber Roof

ATH

Hopefully, this is a silly question, but ...

Yesterday, we had a job replacing a couple of old triple-track storm windows. The home owner couldn't be home. "Fine," we said. "They are over a shed roof on the front of the house. We'll just climb up there and replace them. Nobody has to be around."

When we crawled up the ladder, we found that the roof was a rubber roof. The roof was completely dry, but when I got on it, it was extremely slippery. I definitely didn't feel safe at all on it and we aborted the job. It seemed like there was an oxidized coating on the roofing material.

We don't do a lot of work on roofs and this was the first time I had noticed a rubber roof was this slippery ... of course, it had a bit more pitch than others I've been on in the past.

To the question(s) ...

Is there anyway to clean this roof (even in a limited area) in order to make it less slippery?

Was I wearing the wrong shoes (boots)? Should I have put on golf spikes?

Without a better solution, I guess I'll have to do the job by hanging out the windows.

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Wayne
Around the House
http://www.MyPowerCouple.com

River Rat Dad

what do you mean by "rubber" roof? EPDM? TPO? APP smooth surface?
I have never been on a roof that was slippery when dry...

ATH

Sorry, I'm not a roofer and don't want to be one. I don't even play one on TV.

The material on the roof was a black, flexible membrane that was clearly rolled out and sealed at the seams. It appeared to have a film all over it that I assumed was oxidation.

How does one tell one type of rolled roofing from the other? Sorry, again, if this is a stupid question.

I'd never been on a roof that was slippery when dry either. If you're in New England and would like the new experience of a slippery, dry roof , let me know.

The same house has a first floor addition on the back with the same stuff. I've been on that roof before, but didn't notice it as slippery as there is very little pitch to that one.

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Wayne
Around the House
http://www.MyPowerCouple.com

Gordo

I ting somebody sprinkled white graphite on your roof.

You did good by playing it safe.

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Looks like some pros were here.