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About This Project
Let’s face it -- roofs are dangerous places. But sooner or later you’ll have to clamber up there to fix a leak, replace a vent or evict a family of squirrels. In this article, we’ll show you a few simple ways to make roof work a lot safer.
A minimal investment in roof brackets will immediately reward you with much greater roof safety and convenience. But if you have to spend a lot of time up there or have an especially steep roof, we recommend that you also buy a roof harness system (about $300). It’s the next best thing to a parachute. We’ll tell you what to buy and how to use it, and give you some general roofing safety tips too.
Sweep the roof as you work to remove debris and loose shingle granules that cause slippery footing. Keep the lanyard adjusted to minimize slack in the rope between you and the roof anchor. Tie or wire the top of the extension ladder to nails set in the rafter ends.
Roof Smarts
When it comes to roofs, even the best safety equipment is no substitute for common sense and good judgment. Here are
some tips for working safely on a roof:
Leave steep and/or high roof work to the pros. The few dollars you’ll save by doing it yourself aren’t worth the risk of death or a lifelong disability if you fall.
Pick a clear, calm, cool time of day to work on roofs. Wet roofs are slippery. Wind also poses a danger, and excessive heat softens the shin-gles, making them vulnerable to damage.
Wear shoes with a soft rubber sole for extra traction.
Keep the bottom of your shoes free of mud and dirt, and the roof swept clear of dirt and debris.
Rope or mark off the ground beneath your work area to let people below know you’re working above. Even the most careful worker eventually drops a tool off the roof. Always look and call out before tossing anything down.
When you’re not using your power tools, secure them with short lengths of rope or Bungee cords. Keep hand tools and supplies in a 5-gallon bucket hung on a roof bracket. Carefully position ropes and extension cords so they’re not underfoot; they’re very slippery.
Stay off slate and tile roofs. Loose tiles or slate can fall out and the surfaces are easily damaged if you’re not experienced.
Getting up to the Roof Safely Is the First Step
If you don’t own one already, buy ($200) or rent (about $30 per day) a sturdy extension ladder that extends at least 3 ft. above the roof edge. Aluminum is the lightest, but fiberglass ladders provide better protection against electrocution in case the ladder accidentally touches a power line or live wire. If possible, set the ladder on firm, level ground. On uneven ground, place squares of plywood under one foot to level the ladder base and then secure it with wire or rope tied to stakes. Fasten the top of the ladder with rope or wire tied to a secure anchoring point such as a 20d nail driven into a rafter. That will keep it from sliding sideways as you step onto the roof.
Stepping from the ladder to the roof or from the roof to the ladder is precarious and can be unnerving. Here are a few pointers to make it easier and safer:
If possible, avoid carrying anything up the ladder. Use a helper and a bucket tied to a rope to hoist up tools and supplies.
Extend the top of the ladder at least 3 ft. above the roof edge so you’ll have something to hang on to as you step onto and off the roof. Never step on any of the ladder rungs above the roof.
Keep two hands on the top rung of the ladder as you step onto and off the roof.
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