How To Walk On A Roof Without Damaging The Shingles

Standing seam roofing can be walked on pretty much anywhere without damaging it.

How to walk on a roof without damaging the shingles.

Stay off in cold weather. In case the layer underneath the roof tiles is exposed you can walk on it to avoid stepping the tile. Even when absolutely necessary it should only be done by a professional. Safety harnesses anchor you to your roof so if you slip you won t fall all the way down to the ground.

Use a safety harness if you have a steep roof. Try minimizing the pressure of your body by keeping your feet step on separated tiles. Even if you don t cause any cracks the pressure and added weight you place on your roof could cause the underlayment and foundation wood to creak crack and develop weaknesses. Metal tile roofing ribbed panels that resemble ceramic tile or shake should be walked on in the lower spots closer to the roof decking.

If the shingles are also brittle even in warm weather do not walk on the roof. Inspect the shingles from the roof edge from upper building windows or if the roof must be walked on step carefully in the cupped portions on tiptoe avoiding stepping on the raised curled portions of the shingles as otherwise you ll break off large corners and may lead to an immediate need for re roofing. It is a good idea though to walk. There is no need to walk on the roof unless it is for the rare and occasional repair.

It is not a good idea to walk upon a roof for any other reason. Put your legs through the loops on the safety harness and tighten them around your thighs. Put the top of the harness around your waist and tighten it so it s secure. Manipulating the shingles themselves do it when it is warmer.

Keep your weight balanced and evenly divided between your both feet and stark to walk slowly. When walking on the shingles do it while they are cooler cool weather or early in the morning. Walk on between the tile sections on the uncovered valley area. As a conclusion standing seam roofs won t be damaged if you step on them with the right shoes.

This shortens the roof s lifespan and degrades the shingles. Although remember that these roofs are usually very steep and excessively slippery so wear your harness and safety equipment before getting up on the roof. On the other hand the warmer and more flexible the shingle the easier it is to scrape off the granules as you walk around. Upon walking on these shingles shoe tread tears away these granules.

Use small controlled steps when walking on the shingle roof. Even then with newer roof tiles you can still damage your roof shingles by walking on them. 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.