Hello
I need to replace the plastic gasket on the vent pipe on my roof.
I’ve seen people nailing 2×4’s over the shingles to provide a foothold–my question –is this the best way to provide a sure footing while on a steep roof…and…if you do nail a 2×4 over the shigle doesn’t that compromise the shingles that you nail through–would you rectify that with a dap of roofing caulk ( the black stuff).
Any tips or advice would be appreciated.
cje
Take what you want, leave the rest
Replies
Can you get a section of ladder equipped with a ridge hook up there?
Can you get a section of ladder equipped with a ridge hook up there?
Lets see if I can get the right terminolgy for this.
It's a hip roof and I'd be working on the gable end (i'm seeing a layed back triangle in my minds eye) so there is no horizontal ridge to hook to.
cjeTake what you want, leave the rest
Okay.......got it.
Then you might consider using some roof jacks instead of penetrating the shingle faces and having to dob them up....presuming of course, asphalt shingles.
If your shingles aren't so old that they're really brittle, you should be able to slide the end of a flat bar or similar under the bottom edge and pop them loose. Then......if not too brittle.........lift them sufficiently to lay roof jacks under there and nail them down in the area that will be under the shingle when it's lowered again. Put your 2x6 on a pair, climb up and lay as many pair as necessary to get you where you need to go. Just make certain that you use enough nails of sufficient length on each jack and that you hit something solid enough to support your weight. Hang on each one a bit to see how it feels before you committ to standing on them.
Remove in reverse order, working your way down the roof. Put a couple of dabs of roofing cement under the tabs as you lay them down again as insurance that they adhere. Tube of roof cement works far easier and less messy than a tub.
The shingle glue-downs will let go much easier if it's cool than if it's hot. When forced to do this in hot weather, we'll frequently take a hose up there and run some water on those shingles to cool them down immediately before trying to get the tab loose.
You can probably rent the roof jacks for cheap if you don't want to invest in them, although they don't cost all that much. $6 or something like that for the simple fixed angle type. I like the 90 degree jobs for most work.
Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
Let me preface this next statement with............no offense intended........but I'd rather be sure than sorry I didn't remind you.
If you use those roof jacks........keep your wits about you as you place them..........width-wise.....and as you stand on them. Keep them far enough apart that you have adequate standing room on that 2x6 without stepping on any portion of the 2x that's sticking out beyond the jacks. If you do.....you're going for an very undesirable and rapid ride to the ground. :-)
Think safe and be safe up there.
Edit: And above all........DO NOT under any circumstances go at this alone. Have a helper there with enough ooooomph and physical stature to help you if something goes awry, such as the ladder starts slding in the wind as you are on the roof or slides away from you as you try to exit the roof. If you're like most folks, you'll find leaving the ladder and transferring to the roof much easier then the reverse. Have things arranged to make this transfer as easy as possible or you may find yourself stuck up there with your heart pounding in your chest.
Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
Edited 9/18/2003 12:06:12 PM ET by GOLDHILLER
Ya know......the more I review in my head what it is that I told you, the more I'm wondering if the best advice I could give you is to hire this done.
Trying all of this on a steep roof for the first time might not at all be advisable. It's best if you do these things somewhere less hazardous and less pecarious a few times first. Then graduate to the more difficult circumstances.
A novice and a steep roof..........not a good combination.
Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
i appreciate the concern-but I really can't see hiring someone to do this. Your advice sounded good although I'm sort of leaning towards nailing in 2x4's to provide a path to the area that needs work and then dabbing the holes with roofing cement. And the pitch is actually not that steep just steep enough to warrant taking some moderate precautions.
thanks for caring though
cjeTake what you want, leave the rest
Yep, that's pretty sound thinking. Create more leaks while fixing one. If you weren't gonna take the advise, why'd you ask?
I'd probably charge around $100.00 to fix this problem (I'd replace the piece of crap vent flashing you've got with a lead boot). I'd also charge about $100.00 each trip back to fix the holes you created and patched with cement when the cement fails.
I'd install one set of roof jacks at the eave and set a ladder on the walk board to access something I can't reach from the hip. Most roofers with a piece of foam can walk a 12/12 hip and I suspect yours is less than that.
thanks for the smart #### comment
the following sounded interesting though--
"Most roofers with a piece of foam can walk a 12/12 hip"
what do you mean by "... piece of foam..." is that like a tool (like a walking stick) or are you making reference to the brain. 747.
cjeTake what you want, leave the rest
A couch or chair cushion with the covering removed. I can set on a 12/12 pitch roof with one. Ever drive down the street and see a couch with no cushions left out for the trashmen? Roofers have grabbed the cushions.
As fas as the smart a s s remark, I was trying to get your attention. Far too much of my work is redoing things that were "fixed" by someone who had no clue. I don't work on my truck, because I don't know how. I do work on my plumbing, because I have a basic understanding and can get good advise locally or on this forum.
"if you do nail a 2x4 over the shigle doesn't that compromise the shingles that you nail through?"
Yes. Yes it does. Don't nail through the shingle. Anyone that nails a toe board on a finished roof won't be working for me tomorrow and had better hope he drove his own car, 'cause he'll be walking home today.
"Any tips or advice would be appreciated."
'nuff said. Good luck.
Edited 9/18/2003 4:54:48 PM ET by greencu
good idea on the couch cushion--
cjeTake what you want, leave the rest
Why don't you just by roof brackets the ones that can hold a 2x8 plank and lay the ladder flat on the roof and on top of the plank.
You lift the shingle up and nail the bracket into the rafter and when your done you pop the bracket off and pull the nails out and you have no holes.
Joe Carola
Isn't that what he was just told?
I didn't read your reply befor I posted mine. Alot of times I don't read everyones posts, I just post what comes to me first..
Joe Carola
Itried to reply to this thread yesterday----ended up doubleposting and then somehow deleteing my own posts-----LOL
anyhow----
I often do several of these each week-----in fact I try to save em up and do em all in the same morning. I would replace the entire waste stack flashing and an average charge would be $60-70. I would have the whole job done before a rookie gets the first roof jack installed. Really just a few minutes.
why on earth would a novice want to attempt this on a steep roof.
BTW---I am a devotee of the couch cushion method----although I actually buy and cut into suitable pieces foam rubber.I like big pieces about 2ftx 4ft. or so.
with 2 pieces an experienced guy can manuever around pretty efficiently on reasonably steep roofs-----but it takes a lot of getting used to.I have 2-3 pieces on the truck at all times---and its been years since I even climbed on a roof to work without at least one.
Stepping on that piece of loose foam is counter-intuitive and takes alot of getting used to. thisdoesn't seem like the situation to learn with.
This is amazing! After twenty years of roofing I learn something new.
I used to get really peed off when the siding guys would nail toe boards right over my shingles. Then I learned to smile about it, while I got paid for fixing the goofups goofs.
I vote we should let this guy go ahead and put holes in his roof. It's worth something for the entertainment value..
Excellence is its own reward!
Piffin,
Believe or not when I first started framing there was a roofer that also did the siding, who would nai the 2x4'sl right through the shingles and go back and put a piece of step flashing under the shingle with a splash of tar. But he would also show up in the morning with a six pack in a cooler................
Joe Carola
Edited 9/19/2003 9:30:16 PM ET by Framer
"But he would also show up in the morning with a six pack in a cooler................"
Bet it was gone by noon. ;-)
Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.
"But he would also show up in the morning with a six pack in a cooler................"
Bet it was gone by noon. ;-)
No, It was gone buy coffee break.....;-)
Joe Carola
at least he knew where the holes were. A slip of flashing tarred inunder is the right way to do it
IF you had to..
Excellence is its own reward!
Here is what you do... simply tie a rope around your neck...
Kidding... I hire someone to do anything on steep roofs. I am a certified steep-roof-chicken.