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03-14-2010, 07:28 AM
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#1
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Member
Trade:
Sundecks
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Laurel, MD
Posts: 45
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ISO tips for walking steep roof (asphalt)
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.
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03-14-2010, 09:14 AM
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#2
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Pro
Trade:
Framing
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Utica,NY
Posts: 1,122
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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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.
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03-14-2010, 09:43 AM
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#3
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Pro
Trade:
siding
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: west milford n.j.
Posts: 3,878
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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
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03-14-2010, 10:40 AM
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#4
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Member
Trade:
Sundecks
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Laurel, MD
Posts: 45
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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.
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03-14-2010, 10:46 AM
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#5
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Pro
Trade:
LI,NY designer, new homes, renovation work, concre
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 5,259
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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
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The Following User Says Thank You to genecarp For This Useful Post:
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03-14-2010, 10:56 AM
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#6
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Pro
Trade:
Framing
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Utica,NY
Posts: 1,122
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 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
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Think OSHA would approve?
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03-14-2010, 01:07 PM
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#7
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Pro
Trade:
siding
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: west milford n.j.
Posts: 3,878
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i'm impressed that you actually do a full inspection 
becareful up there
http://www.cougarpaws.com/
__________________
Tom
Last edited by tomstruble; 03-14-2010 at 01:10 PM.
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03-14-2010, 01:32 PM
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#8
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Pro
Trade:
remodeling
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 1,411
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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.
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03-14-2010, 04:45 PM
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#9
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Pro
Trade:
General contractor
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 869
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tomstruble
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That would sure make you stick to the roof. Would probably do some damage to the new roof though.
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03-14-2010, 04:52 PM
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#10
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Pro
Trade:
General contractor
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 869
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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.
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03-15-2010, 06:19 AM
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#11
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Pro
Trade:
RESIDENTIAL CONTRUCTION, BUILDING & PROPERT MAINT.
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: northern maine
Posts: 438
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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!
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03-15-2010, 06:35 AM
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#12
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Pro
Trade:
Building and Remodeling
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: CONNECTICUT
Posts: 1,411
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03-15-2010, 07:15 AM
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#13
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Roofer
Trade:
Residential Roofing
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Struthers Ohio 44471
Posts: 581
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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
__________________
God Fearing, Husband/Father, US American, Pool Shooting Roofer
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03-15-2010, 09:14 AM
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#14
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Pro
Trade:
remodeling
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bergen County, NJ
Posts: 1,411
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Check out the wheel Jon put on the ridge hook. Good stuff
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