How To Make An Icy Roof Safe To Walk On

Read understand and follow all manufacturers instructions for the safe use of snow blowers and similar mechanical equipment.

How to make an icy roof safe to walk on.

Inspect the shingles from the roof edge from upper building windows or if the roof must be walked on step carefully on the flat portions of the shingle on tiptoe avoiding stepping on the raised curled edges of the shingles as otherwise you ll break off the edges. Bending your knees a little. Grab onto a railing or other sturdy fixture for extra security. Walk up a roof and lean your body over towards the roof to help maintain your balance.

Ensure that powered equipment is not used within 15 feet of any roof edge. Experienced roofers can easily walk a 6 12 and very carefully a 7 12. This video shows a few tips for how to move around on an old roof without breaking too many tiles or slates. When walking on an icy or snow covered walkway take short steps and walk at a slower pace so you can react quickly to a change in traction.

Walking on your roof. Step 3 lay a roofing ladder across the shingle roof if the pitch of the roof is too high and you are not comfortable walking on it. If you have proper shoes cougar paws for instance you can walk a 7 12 and very carefully walk 8 12 i ve seen roofers work. Use a sturdy extension ladder that extends at least 3 feet above the eaves to climb onto the roof and secure the bottom to the foundation and the top to the eaves or fascia so it doesn t move.

Crouch down slightly to walk down a metal roof safely. Improve your center of gravity increase your stability by pointing your feet slightly outward and keeping your body weight directly over your feet as much as possible. Pay attention to the surface you are walking on and watch out for any loose shingles. Walk up or down a slightly inclined roof by walking as you would on the ground but slowly.

Take slow short steps take the time to plant your feet securely with each deliberate step. As with cupped shingles stay off in cold weather. Check with a roofing contractor before using mechanized equipment on the roof to ensure the equipment will not damage the roof membrane. It s something that seems like it should be so simple and yet presents so many risks.