QA

Question: How To Shingle A Steep Roof

How do you stay on a steep roof?

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. Hold onto the ladder with both hands when you dismount.

How steep can a shingle roof be?

OSHA defines a “steep roof” as any roof with a rise/run ratio over 4:12 (18.43 degrees). While most standard-pitched residential roofs seldom exceed a 12:12 pitch (45 degrees), the landscape is occasionally marked by a design which harkens back to earlier times, when much greater roof pitches were more common.

Do shingles last longer on a steep roof?

Yes, the steeper the roof, the longer the roofing material will last. Because water runs off the roof more easily, the roof covering will dry faster. And during the hottest part of the year when the sun is higher overhead, a steeper roof will absorb less solar radiation than a flatter roof.

What is a 12 6 roof pitch?

Roof pitch (or slope) tells you how many inches the roof rises for every 12 inches in depth. An Example of a roof pitch would be a “6/12 pitch” which means that the roof rises 6 ” for every 12″ inward towards the peak (or ridge).

Is it OK to walk on a shingle roof?

Walking on your roof (unless absolutely necessary) Walking on your asphalt shingles can leave the shingles bare, dislodge them or create gaps that can increase the potential for leaks. While it’s recommended that you stay off of your roof as much as possible, unavoidable incidents may make that difficult.

Can you work on a roof without scaffolding?

Much of the official health and safety advice states that, for any domestic roof repairs, scaffolding is needed. But scaffolding can seem unnecessary for small one-man jobs, so in these cases, it is often considered perfectly acceptable to use a ladder that is safely secured.

How do you put a ladder on a slanted roof?

It’s safe to avoid putting your ladder on the side slope where the back slant is more than 6 degrees or the slope at the side slope is more than 16 degrees. You can only do so with added safety features such as the harness and Pivit tool or roof boot. For the safest experience with ladders, use the angle rule of 4:1.

What is the steepest roof pitch you can walk on?

Common Roof Slopes Expressed in Rise/Run and Angle + Slope expressed as Grade Common Roof Slopes Expressed in Rise/Run and Angle + Slope expressed as Grade Roof Slope Expressed as Rise / Run in Inches Roof Slope Expressed as an Angle Walkability 3 / 12 1 14.04 ° Easy to walk on 4 / 12 18.43 5 / 12 22.62 °.

What is the disadvantages of a steep pitched roof?

One of the main disadvantages of a steep roof is the initial cost, which is greater in comparison to a flat roof due to the intricacies of the design, increased labor costs for additional hours, and higher cost of materials.

How much pitch does a roof need for shingles?

The minimum roof pitch for shingles is a 2:12 pitch. If your roof is less than 2 vertical units (inches or feet) up for every 12 horizontal units out, it’s considered low slope.

Are steep roofs less likely to leak?

Fewer Leaks Because they’re so much steeper, rain doesn’t have the chance to create puddles. Instead, the water quickly runs off the roof and into gutters where it’s properly drained and isn’t given the chance to do damage to your home. This minimizes roof damage and leaks. It’s just one more advantage to steep roofs.

Do steep roofs need gutters?

On most residential homes, a five-inch gutter will do the trick, but a steeply pitched roof might well require more downspouts than a flatter roof with less run-off. Six-inch gutters are best suited to commercial buildings or a house where the shingles protrude substantially with a large overhang.

Do steep roofs cost more?

The increased risk of falling means they need more safety equipment to work on such a roof. For example, a roof with a steep pitch may require the roofing company to bring out and set up scaffolding to safely remove and replace all the roofing materials. This added equipment and time naturally leads to a higher cost.

How do you scaffold a slope?

The best way to level scaffolding is to move the scaffold into the position where you’ll use it, then add the blocks under each baseplate or wheel. If you’re using wheels, lock them. Then set long, straight on the bottom bar of the end frame; after this, you can adjust the level with screws.

What is the cheapest roof pitch?

Roofers generally consider a low slope roof to be any roof at 3/12 or less, rising no more than three inches per foot of roof. A medium slope roof would be any roof between 6/12 and 9/12, and a high slope roof is any roof with a slope of 10/12 or greater.

What is a 45 degree roof pitch?

Therefore, a roof with a 4/12 pitch is read as 4 inches of rise for every foot of run. Pitched roofs can be as steep as 12/12, which puts it at a 45-degree angle.

How do I calculate the slope of my roof?

How to Calculate Roof Pitch in Degrees First, you need to measure the run of your roof. Next, you need to figure out the rise. Now, divide the rise by the run. Then, divide 1 by your tangent. Finally, multiply this result by 180/π and you’ve calculated your roof pitch!.