Overcoming fear of working on the roof

[Constant Mesh]

On my home's roof a few asphalt shingles were damaged in a recent wind storm. The roof rises 8" per foot, about a 34 degree slope.

Is that too big a slope to work without safety gear? My home is a one-story ranch style.

I climbed up a ladder ready to step onto the roof but I just couldn't leave the safety of the ladder and scramble out onto the roof.

Should I just call a repair man and not risk falling off?

 

[twowheelnut]

Yes. Falling hurts.

 

[k7lvo]

Yes. Falling hurts.

+1. That pitch is steep enough that you'll need some kind of assistance to keep from sliding off. Respect your fear - there is wisdom in it!

 

[Old Michael]

Finally, a subject I actually know a bit about! (On roofs every day.)

Yes, I'd recommend that you call a repair man. That's a fairly steep pitch, and considering your level of anxiety, and the consequences of a fall, even from 8-10', it is probably better that you have it done for you. Or send the wife up there.

 

[Jazzzzz]

Or send the wife up there.

I like the way you think.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Is it easy to ride the FJR with broken ribs and separated shoulder? Or broken leg? Or broken neck? atgatt!!

 

[stormrider]

I am just like you and I called the repairman

Money well spent in my book

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

Are your motives working past a fear of something, saving money or both?

Make sure you buy the proper safety gear and be sure you are familiar it.

We had a few trees damaged by wind Summer '05.

I already owned a decent chainsaw. I decided to invest several hundred dollars in gear and trimmed the trees myself.

It took months of preparation, but the feeling of accomplishment is one I'll carry with me the rest of my life.

Plus, it was still cheaper than calling in an arborist.

(Click on each image)

Edit: Wow! It took so long to prepare this post that all sorts of people have chimed in while I was working on it. It looks like I'm in the minority (again).

 

[FJRBluesman]

Grasshopper…When you can walk away from the ladder and ride another day…it will be time for you to leave.

 

[James Burleigh]

Finally, a subject I actually know a bit about! (I fall off roofs every day.)

Fixed it for ya, Michael. BTW, that explains a lot. A LOT!

 

[slapnpop]

Are your motives working past a fear of something, saving money or both?
Make sure you buy the proper safety gear and be sure you are familiar it.

We had a few trees damaged by wind Summer '05.

I already owned a decent chainsaw. I decided to invest several hundred dollars in gear and trimmed the trees myself.

It took months of preparation, but the feeling of accomplishment is one I'll carry with me the rest of my life.

Plus, it was still cheaper than calling in an arborist.

(Click on each image)

Edit: Wow! It took so long to prepare this post that all sorts of people have chimed in while I was working on it. It looks like I'm in the minority (again).

Is you frog setup pulleyed at all? I had a petzl rig back in the 90's with a line running down to a pulley at the top of the footloop, back up to a pulley on the upper ascender, and down to the top of the lower ascender. It was nice because when you stood up, it acted as a both a load reducer, and automatically raised the lower ascender on the rope.

 

[juniorfjr]

I think it really depends on your age. After 40 you don't bounce as well as you used to. And past 50, forget it. Just think of the noises your body makes getting out of bed, imagine getting off the ground after falling 15 ft.

 

[v65]

We had a friend fall of his roof. The end result was that he had to relearn how to walk, 'course he was 2 stories up, I still say go the professional route.

 

[feejer222]

Nah go for it, let us know how it turned out though.

 

[Joe2Lmaker]

Is you frog setup pulleyed at all? I had a petzl rig back in the 90's with a line running down to a pulley at the top of the footloop, back up to a pulley on the upper ascender, and down to the top of the lower ascender. It was nice because when you stood up, it acted as a both a load reducer, and automatically raised the lower ascender on the rope.

That would have been much nicer!

I used a smaller diameter rope to make a footloop and attached it to the main rope with a friction hitch (Prusik).

 

[AStar]

Repairman is cheaper than Medical Bills and lost wages. And you have recourse if done incorrectly. Any other repairs that do not involved death, knock yourself out.

 

[huk finn]

Exwife (if she has a stake in the house) would be better, cut the alimony short. You buy shingles , she puts em up. That way your not a sexist.

Dont be chuckin rocks at her while shes up there tho, neighbors can see !!!