Replies

1. 
   calvin | Mar 03, 2011 08:09pm | #1

   Well............

   it could be bad for you if you fall.

   The shingles could be damaged by you walking on it.

   But,

   you might not fall.

   and the shingles might not get damaged.  It's normal to walk on the roof, just don't do it when it's too hot, or too cold.  Either one can dislodge the granules if in the extreme.

   Be careful.  What's the pitch?

1. 
   kenzen | Mar 03, 2011 09:01pm | #3

   Walking on new roof

   Believe it is 8/12

2. 
   DanH | Mar 03, 2011 08:54pm | #2

   I generally try to say off of my rood.  I do, however, occasionally go on the roof (though not too often both because I'm not that spry anymore and because I have lousy balance and major fear of heights).

   First, you need to understand that anything steeper than about a 6/12 pitch should never be climbed on without some sort of assist -- ropes, roof ladders, etc.  Below that it's a question of how good your balance is, the condition of the roof (loose shingles can lead to unpleasant surprises, eg), your shoes (I tend to favor rubber-soled athletic shoes), and the weather (never when the roof is wet or there's any sort of substantial wind).

   In terms of damaging the roof, it depends on the condition of the roof, the temperature and sun conditions, and how careful you are, and simply how much you'll need to go back and forth on it.  Old roofs get brittle, and the granules get loose, and the shingle corners curl, and climbing on such a roof can crack shingles, break off corners, or cause large patches of granules to come loose.

   Shingles are brittle in cold weather (which is basically anything below about 50F) and soft in hot weather (which is basically anything above 70F).  Walking on cold shingles, if you're not careful to step carefully (place the foot flat, don't put a lot of "English" into your stride) or if you step in the wrong places (stay away from valleys and off ridges and eaves), can lead to cracked shingles.

   In warm weather (where the shingle temp, taking into account the sun, exceeds 80-90F) the shingles get quite soft and you again need to tread carefully (in essentially the same areas).  You especially want to avoid twisting the sole of your foot on the surface, as this can dig up wads of tar and granules.

   The ideal temp for walking on a roof is maybe 60-80 when the sun is obscured or 50-70 when it's shining.  Then the shingles are flexible enough to avoid cracking, but not so soft that your shoes will dig into them.

   (I'm sure some folks will object to some of the "hard" numbers above, but I erred on the conservative side.)

1. 
   kenzen | Mar 03, 2011 09:18pm | #4

   Walking on new roof

   Well the good thing is the part of the roof I need to be on is on the back side of the house which points north and is shaded by trees.  So tell me about a "roof ladder' .  I need to work on the dormer replacing some wood and painting it.  It is a new roof. 

1. 
   DanH | Mar 03, 2011 09:39pm | #7

   Since I make it a point to never go on anything steeper than 4/12, I have no direct experience with roof ladders or other tools of the trade that would be used on steeper roofs.  You need to get advice from others here who do that sort of thing.  Safety on a steep roof is something  you need to KNOW about, not just have some "informed opinions".

2. 
   kenzen | Mar 03, 2011 09:18pm | #5

   Walking on new roof

   Well the good thing is the part of the roof I need to be on is on the back side of the house which points north and is shaded by trees.  So tell me about a "roof ladder' .  I need to work on the dormer replacing some wood and painting it.  It is a new roof. 

1. 
   Scott | Mar 03, 2011 11:57pm | #8

   >>>So tell me about a "roof

   >>>So tell me about a "roof ladder'

   Ok, so I've got some experience with this, since my roof pitches are mostly 10/12 with the odd 6/12.

   You can either buy a "chicken ladder" (Google knows about them, check it out).

   Or you can use your regular extension ladder, separated into two pieces, and then use these:

   http://www.amazon.com/Qualcraft-2481-Ladder-Hook-Wheel/dp/B0000224MR/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1299214280&sr=8-1

   ...which is what I've got. They're cheap and effective.

   There's also another approach, depending on the type of roof. I've got a metal roof with exposed fasteners. This lets you remove a fastener, then drive it through a piece of synthetic webbing that is attached to a ladder. Lets you position a ladder pretty much anywhere you want on a roof surface, but again, it depends on the type of roof and fasteners. If this interests you I can post some pics.

    

3. 
   kenzen | Mar 03, 2011 09:21pm | #6

   Walking on new roof

   The roof is in very good shape by the way.

1. 
   arcflash | Mar 06, 2011 03:32pm | #9

   Well, it would have been best to do the dormer work on the old roof, or at least right before the new roof got put on. I don't get on a roof unless I absolutely need to, because shingles damage easily and I'd say that if the work on the dormer is extensive enough then you will definately increase the likelihood of damage to the new shingles. Could you lean out the dormer and install roof jack and a walkboard without getting on the shingles at all? Then when the work is done, you just lean out the dormer and take the roof jacks off.

4. 
   DanH | Mar 06, 2011 03:49pm | #10

   I think I failed to mention that shingles are softer and more subject to scuff-type damage when new (less than 6-12 months old).  Basically they "act" like they're 5-10 degrees warmer than they actually are. 

1. 
   seeyou | Mar 07, 2011 05:08am | #14

   >>I think I failed to mention that shingles are softer and more subject to scuff-type damage when new (less than 6-12 months old). Basically they "act" like they're 5-10 degrees warmer than they actually are. <<

   WTF are you babbling about?

1. 
   DanH | Mar 07, 2011 07:11am | #16

   Asphalt shingles -- something I've had a bit of experience with.

3. 
   Piffin | Mar 06, 2011 03:56pm | #11

   Hi Ken

   Iwould recommnenbd you do this -

   Wear soft soled shoes. Heavy liugs, hard soles are hard on the shingles and on you.

   And the more you slip and slide around, the more damae you do to the roof. S you want positive footing. That means use a chicken ladder. To hold it to th eroof, you buy a ridge hook, clamp it to the ladder and it hooks over the ridge so theladder can't sliude down.

   Alternatly, you could set up a pair of roof jacks below the dormer to get to the face of it, and wider than the dormer by about 4' Then set your roof ladder on the plank securely and walk it rather than the shingles. This way the plank gives you a place for tools and materials aswell. I can walk an 8/12 just fine, but walking one and workikng on aretwo different things. Inconvenient it ios to keep having things slide ff the roof

   How far set back up the roof is the dormer?

4. 
   Piffin | Mar 06, 2011 03:56pm | #12

   Hi Ken

   Iwould recommnenbd you do this -

   Wear soft soled shoes. Heavy liugs, hard soles are hard on the shingles and on you.

   And the more you slip and slide around, the more damae you do to the roof. S you want positive footing. That means use a chicken ladder. To hold it to th eroof, you buy a ridge hook, clamp it to the ladder and it hooks over the ridge so theladder can't sliude down.

   Alternatly, you could set up a pair of roof jacks below the dormer to get to the face of it, and wider than the dormer by about 4' Then set your roof ladder on the plank securely and walk it rather than the shingles. This way the plank gives you a place for tools and materials aswell. I can walk an 8/12 just fine, but walking one and workikng on aretwo different things. Inconvenient it ios to keep having things slide ff the roof

   How far set back up the roof is the dormer?

5. 
   Piffin | Mar 06, 2011 03:56pm | #13

   Hi Ken

   Iwould recommnenbd you do this -

   Wear soft soled shoes. Heavy liugs, hard soles are hard on the shingles and on you.

   And the more you slip and slide around, the more damae you do to the roof. S you want positive footing. That means use a chicken ladder. To hold it to th eroof, you buy a ridge hook, clamp it to the ladder and it hooks over the ridge so theladder can't sliude down.

   Alternatly, you could set up a pair of roof jacks below the dormer to get to the face of it, and wider than the dormer by about 4' Then set your roof ladder on the plank securely and walk it rather than the shingles. This way the plank gives you a place for tools and materials aswell. I can walk an 8/12 just fine, but walking one and workikng on aretwo different things. Inconvenient it ios to keep having things slide ff the roof

   How far set back up the roof is the dormer?

6. 
   seeyou | Mar 07, 2011 05:12am | #15

   Set some roof jacks/walkboards below the dormer. Get some old couch cushions to stand/sit/kneel on. They'll protect the roof and make your task more comfortable.