ISO Tips For Walking Steep Roof (asphalt)

dproc

I have to walk roofs for inspection and estimates. Looking for tips on shoes or attachments to wear on steeper pitch 8/12 and up. The older the roof the slicker it gets when granules start coming off. 30-40 feet in air and sliding no fun for the heart.

Framer53

Why are you on a roof in the first place? If it is a inspection for estimate it can be done from the eaves.

I have a roof that is 24/12, want to walk it to give me an estimate? You need to find a way to estimate without climbing onto existing roofs.

You are taking a risk going onto a roof without a signed contract. I had back in the seventies a salesman working under me who di this. After the next rainstorm, the roof leaked and we were blamed. Upshot was, we paid for a new roof with very little compensation.

Tom Struble

just a matter of time before you go for a ride

they have those cougar paws roofing shoes,but still,you need fall protection

can't you use binoculars or that new fangled satellite imaging?

__________________
Tom

dproc

Satellite imageing costs about $100.00 a shot, not cost effective estimating.
We walk the roof for accurate measuring and visual. We sell alot of roofing over our competion for that very reason. Photos, and detailed inspections. There are many things to find and point out someone who measures from ground can't do. We follow a "when in doubt don't walk it "or if uncomfortable policy.

genecarp

Back in the day, roofing 8,s and greater we would sit on Thick Foam pads that we would get from local upholstery shops. These foam pads would stick like glue to the roof, never damage it, and was comfortable on your knees. Maybe you can make some kind of Boots that have thick foam soles, GMOD

__________________

Framer53

Think OSHA would approve?

Tom Struble

i'm impressed that you actually do a full inspection
becareful up there

http://www.cougarpaws.com/

__________________
Tom

Tom M

Dproc as you get older you'll start inspecting from the ladder. I used to climb up every job and to be honest many people will like that you didnt estimate thier house from the truck. But you dont have to scale every roof to assess what you estimate. You can see enough on a steep roof without taking the risk.

SC sawdaddy

That would sure make you stick to the roof. Would probably do some damage to the new roof though.

SC sawdaddy

I agree with the general consensus dproc, don't get up there unless you have to. I gave an estimate a while back on a roof that had been leaking for a while. H/O had hired some hack to fix it and recovered the roof without fixing the leak. The new shingles fooled me. I walked to the ridge to see how much would have to be re-sheathed and almost fell through the rotten plywood.

mnjconstruction

I dont do roofing anymore, but when i did, i very rarely got on the roof for estimate. My estimate would be for the obvious. Strip and lay. Including all materials needed and labor. At the bottom of my quote I would have a price per sheet of plywood and or board if replacing is needed. I would explain this to home owner and never had a problem. getting on roof for estimate is dangerous and risky. I had a mason buddy that did a chimney inspection and was blamed for damaging the shingles in the valley that caused the leak. Ended up costing him a couple grand. so be careful up there!

JonM

Slyfox

I step foot on most roofs I estimate, but, I seldom walk any of them.

Set your ladder up in a few different points such as on a rake or ridge,
never a valley.
Walking the ridge will give you the view you need for pictures in most cases and that is the least likely spot to cause problems/leaks.
Holding a rake to walk up and down is ok if an 8/12 or less and the shingles aren't falling apart, I use an couch cushion when doing that, it stops sliding and limits granule disturbance.
https://www.t-mobilepictures.com/mya...013868000.jpeg

__________________

Tom M

Check out the wheel Jon put on the ridge hook. Good stuff

Fmgseven

Big brass ones and sneakers, scetchers work great . i measue the perimeter, then take digital photes, at the office i can zoom and count the rows.
if i get the job the photos do alot for project planning

KennMacMoragh

Has anyone tried those cougarpaws? They don't look flexible enough.

__________________

Tom Struble

thats how they come,Jon didn't invent the wheel

__________________
Tom

Tom M

WTF mine dont have a wheel never did. I gotta throw one on

JonM

Save yourself the aggravation...http://www.amazon.com/Qual-Craft-248...1275412&sr=8-1

TerryG

I like to walk all the roofs I bid on (Not smart, I know). Cougar Paws do work good and have a replaceable sole, they are heavy and don't flex very good. There is a shoe manufacturer "Rockport" is the name. If you get a pair of those with a crepe sole you get the same or better traction as Cougar Paws while being lighter,more flexible and cheaper.