Stupid question (I’m guessing) but when do you consider a roof “unsafe” to walk on? I have a slightly under 12 pitch roof and with running shoes on it seems fine (traction wise) until I start getting halfway up… then I feel like I’m going to slip… even though I’m pretty sure I won’t. I think it’s all in my head. I’m only doing some trim painting on a dormer so I’m not carrying heavy stuff or swinging a hammer. Any rule of thumb as to when the roof jack come out?
Thanks
When deck posts exceed what the prescriptive code tables allow, it's time to consult a structural engineer for post sizing and possible bracing.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
I think the rule of thumb would be the second that you don't feel safe or secure. The pitch of the roof really doesn't come into play.
A 12 pitch is pretty steep to be just hanging out on. Set up the roof jacks and give your ankles a break.... takes about 5 minutes. If you take a spill you'll quickly realize how dumb (sorry, but it's true) it is to not take the couple minutes and give yourself a moderately safe and comfortable place to work from. Either the jacks or a ladder with a ridge hook will suffice.
Besides, it's not good for the shingles to be standing in one particular spot for any amount of time. Grind enough of those granules off and you have seriously compromised your roof.
Going up roofs is never a problem for me, coming down is when I start to lose the traction.
All good advice... thanks. I kinda knew the answer... falling sucks :-)Charlie
http://www.home-addition.com
If you fall your insurance is cancelled on the way down
you'll know when it's unsafe ...
right before U hit the ground.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I spent today 'walking' an 8:12 roof, mostly because today was a major roof-deck repair where I had to cut out an 8'x3' section of rot. So I'm up and down a lot from the scaffold to the roof. Tomorrow when I re-shingle that section, I'll set up jacks.
I consider 8:12 the max I'll walk except for a quick inspection trip. I won't really work a roof over 6:12 without jacks, because it's just too darn hard on the ankles, and especially on the toes coming back down.
Your roof at 12:12 is too steep to walk, IMO, even for an experienced roofer. Jack it.
Dinosaur
A day may come when the courage of men fails,when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship...
But it is not this day.
I agree with all the previous posts. I myself don't feel all that comfortable walking over an 8 or a 9 in terms of pitch. On a 12 I would definitely set up brackets. Unless the pool is right under the eave, or a trampoline. Set up the staging, feel comfortable, and realize that your work will come out all the better for it.
Dustin T
IIRC OSHA requires a continous band of jacks on ANYTHING over a 4/12..at the edge. But I could be wrong.
I often have ignored that, and have been lucky..it's the fines that will kill ya, not the fall.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
I kidnapped the runaway bride..her eyse weren't like that in the before pics.
What everyone already said. Much of what determines a "walkable" roof is what is in your head. I'll walk one story roofs that I wouldn't dream of walking as two story.
But 12 in 12, that's too steep!
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
It depends on the coefficient of friction between your shoes and the roof. The coefficient of friction has to be greater than the rise divided by the run. If it isn't, you will slide, no matter how much experience you have. Another thing to consider: The coefficient of friction is typically 5 - 15% lower when the surfaces are sliding, so once you start, recovering from a slip is even more difficult.
Mine's 7 in 12, and I've been putting standing seam copper on it. I use a rope and harness, plus a chicken ladder. The surfaces involved (SBS base sheet, red rosin paper, and copper) are all too slippery for me. I like the ladder a lot, it saves a lot of damage to the soft SBS and delicate paper.
-- J.S.
"The coefficient of friction has to be greater than the rise divided by the run. If it isn't, you will slide, no matter how much experience you have. "
Experience does come into it because the newbies tend to keep their bodies close the roof which effects the angle at which the weight vector hits the roof. Experienced roofers (and rock climbers) keep their butt AWAY from the surface so the vector is more nearly perpendicular.
And, from a former co-worker, speaking from experience: He preferred to fall off a roof in the spring. Because mud is softer than frozen ground in the winter or dry ground in the summer.
David Thomas Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
And, from a former co-worker, speaking from experience: He preferred to fall off a roof in the spring. Because mud is softer than frozen ground in the winter or dry ground in the summer.
You also want to avoid falling on the driveway side.REMEMBER THE BOSTON BATWANGER.
And always fall on a Monday, never a Friday...don't wanna ruin your week-end:)Seriously, might as well use brackets or something.Gives ya something to rest the paint can on,etc.
And another factor: it is usually easier to get onto a steep roof from a ladder than to get back onto the ladder from that roof.It only took me 2 or 3 underwear changes to learn that one!
View Image
Sojourners: Christians for Justice and Peace
John, what is a "chicken ladder"?
blue
what is a "chicken ladder"?
A ladder that lays on the roof, usually hung from the ridge.
Man, I believed the Pistons could do it until the last 40 seconds. Bummer.REMEMBER THE BOSTON BATWANGER.
I'm slightly disappointed that the Pistons didn't repeat but I'm thrilled with their season. They were in it till the last minute of the seventh game and I'll take that year after year after year....
I wish the Lions could do half as much.
blue
It looks like the same team will be pretty much intact next year. McDyess turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I remember him from Alabama, but hadn't seen much of him in his pro career. You guys hoping Larry can stick around?REMEMBER THE BOSTON BATWANGER.
theres a huge differance between bein able to walk it and bein able to work it
eights about as far as i can work but i can repair 10s and twelves sometimes
"it seems fine (traction wise) until I start getting halfway up... then I feel like I'm going to slip... even though I'm pretty sure I won't. I think it's all in my head."
Not in your head. At first, your soles tend to get a good grip as you head up. Then something begins to happen..as if something accumulates on your shoes..By the time you're exactly half way up a steep roof, you will lose traction... Or, maybe it's all in your head. I don't know. But it happens to me also.
Last steep roof I did was my own--8/12 metal roof. It was a sunny day when I started. My Vasque hikers were sticking like glue. But by the time I was finishing the ridge piece, it had clouded up. I was all the way at the top. The ground was way down there. I was not using a rope or chicken ladder. I began to feel my confidence draining away..Twenty feet up on the ridge as I was literally putting in the last screws, it..started..to drizzle.
I stayed up there a while.
The smaller repair jobs are actually more dangerous in my view because you will tend to NOT get out the equiptment to be safe. Same dx down.
My neighbor worked as a roofer; fell off. Now he works in a liquor store and is often up lighting off firecrackers after 2 AM. Be carefull, it could happen to you.
I'm not a pro, but let me add a very sad tale to emphasize that ultimate danger has nothing to do with pitch, material, up, down, etc. A very close relative (young, athletic) died last year falling off her 1:12 roof -- ranch front ( easy access) with lower floor above grade basement. Job was not construction related, but simple trimming of some bushes overhanging the side of the roof. Bad luck -- she apparently stumbled a bit and you know the rest.I won't bore you with the moral of this story.Ken
"A very close relative...died last year falling off her 1:12 roof"I'm sorry for your loss. Thanks for posting it though.I'm surprised that I didn't point it out myself. When I had an employee last year, I made a lot of effort to talk a lot about how now that we are done with the steep roof, the easily walked roof was actually more dangerous.It can be very easy to get careless on low slope.Rich BeckmanAnother day, another tool.