Safety is something that needs to be taken seriously and that’s why you must know how to walk on a steep roof. Moreover, safety is also paramount for the people whose job has to do with walking on different kind roofs. For you to have a safe walk on roofs, you need some safety gadgets. One of these gadgets is a roof walking shoes with excellent grip for balancing and stability.
There are other important factors that must be in place when walking on a steep roof of different levels. If you’re steep roof walker, balance yourself with adequate roof safety, roof harness, and roof jack and roof ladder respectively. Also note that as roof-crafters, you need to equip yourself with the quality of gadgets for the best steep roof walk experience.
How to Work on a Steep Roof
Walking on a steep roof can be somehow dangerous especially when the height of the roof is above 4ft for every 12ft by horizontal span. Let say you’re doing a re-shining job; you’ll need safety equipment like good non slip shoes and others to keep you secure. You also need common sense as well.
Others safety precaution includes:
Roof Safety
You will safely work on roofs if you take necessary precautions before ever climbing up there. One of which is to put on a loose-fitted clothing. This demand is to help you have free movements while on the steep roof. Furthermore, the design of your work shoes should be rubber soled for traction. However, wind and rain can make you lose balance and so, choose a different day to do you steep roof jobs. Extension ladder should be able to increase length up to 3ft above fascia or eaves so it does not move. More so, always hold the ladder with your two hands when you’re dismounting.
The Roof Ladders
For those working on a large roof, you need more rows of scaffolding alongside ladders. This enable you to have easy switch from one row to the other. Mind you, there no need for ladder elaboration, just make it a 2-by-4 style. If the ladder is properly supported with scaffolding, this will enable you to reach residues between rows of scaffolding in virtual comfort. So, if the roof in which you’re working on is a few feet wide to reach, you’ll need one scaffolding with just a ladder. This adds to your safety precautions.
Roof Jacks
Roof jack is also known or can be called brackets. You can buy this in hardware stores. You can use this by combining two-by-eight (2-by-8-inch) by the construction of scaffold on the roof deck. This will help provide you with support in as much it’s you nailed on the rafter. Base bracket is designed to fit underneath and strangles of top layers. Hence the nails don’t miss the rafters, the roof won’t leak even when you take it out. The boards itself fit snugly into the brackets and you screw or nail them to stop from moving.
Roof Harness
Most roofs are very high and at the same time steeps and such that, it’s dangerous to even work on scaffolding. Roof harness help promotes and provides additional security during your steep roof work. This set of extra security includes roof anchor, a rope, and harness alongside a lanyard for adjustment of tension on the rope. You will be able to secure anchor to the very peak via driving lag bolts through the rafters. The lanyard is to further help maintain any tension on the rope as you make movement around the roof. This anchor can be reposition when above 4 feet to one side as soon as you begin work.
Conclusion
It takes guts to climb high to the rooftop and walk especially when it’s steep. You can walk on a steep roof if you’re brave, well trained and physically fit. You can only achieve this if you have all the necessary safety equipment to ensure total safety. This equipment will also help keep you from any form of damage even as you stand or make any movement on the roof. However, factor like climate and shingle could influence you to work but with the right gadget, you’re safe. Safety gadget assures you with firm fit and grips, supports yet promotes comfort and stability in full range. This article is to guide you on the needed safety and precautions to prevent injuries and also save lives.
