How To Make An Icy Roof Safe To Walk On

Crouch down slightly to walk down a metal roof safely.

How to make an icy roof safe to walk on.

Use small controlled steps when walking on the shingle roof. As with cupped shingles stay off in cold weather. Experienced roofers can easily walk a 6 12 and very carefully a 7 12. 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.

The steeper the metal roof the more you ll need to lean over. Walking on your roof. Ensure that powered equipment is not used within 15 feet of any roof edge. Bending your knees a little.

Take slow short steps take the time to plant your feet securely with each deliberate step. Check with a roofing contractor before using mechanized equipment on the roof to ensure the equipment will not damage the roof membrane. Walk up or down a slightly inclined roof by walking as you would on the ground but slowly. Grab onto a railing or other sturdy fixture for extra security.

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. Pay attention to the surface you are walking on and watch out for any loose shingles. Your roof seems like it should be strong after all it needs to be able to withstand massive gusts of wind pelting from hail dosing in rain that can add hundreds of pounds of weight and so much more. 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.

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. Read understand and follow all manufacturers instructions for the safe use of snow blowers and similar mechanical equipment. This video shows a few tips for how to move around on an old roof without breaking too many tiles or slates. 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.