How To Be Safe On A Steep Roof

Painting this section of your house that has a steep roof is impossible without a way to safely stay on it.

How to be safe on a steep roof. High pitched roofs are not easy to walk on. Rock climbing is very similar to roofing on rope. In order to climb a steep roof safely you will need to hold your body in the proper position. There is a simple inexpensive method that will allow you to safely work off your roof and access the areas you need to paint.

Wet roofs are slippery. 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. To access a roof you ll need an extension ladder. Make sure you ve checked the forecast and only attempt roof work especially on steep roofs when the conditions are acceptable.

If you dont already have experience learn the important knots and climbing procedures. Never do roof work when it s raining or windy. Wind also poses a danger and excessive. A steeper roof will require you to lean forward more significantly.

Roof brackets are installed on the roofs without making any damage to the roof surface and offers a flat area to step on. The few dollars you ll save by doing it yourself aren t worth the risk of. Lean your body forward toward the top of the roof to help maintain your balance. To have a larger area to walk on place planks on top of two roof brackets.

Ladders can be acceptable to get to the bottom side of a roof but you might need other equipment to do more advanced work on a steep roof. That probably means a set of scaffolding and all new rappelling or tree climbing gear. If you dont know how to use the equipment find out all you can. When on a roof you need to wear a harness connected to a securely anchored safety rope.

As you advance toward the top of the roof take it one slow step a time. Tie rope to a structural part of house or a tree. Throw rope with at. Leave steep and or high roof work to the pros.

You need slip resistant roofing shoes and a safe sturdy and flat area to stand on while roofing. Invest in the right gear. Here are some tips for working safely on a roof.