How to safely climb onto this roof?

Participant

Participant

Participant

Caporegime
Joined
13 May 2003
Posts
34,506
Location
Warwickshire
Hi all

I need to install two roof vent tiles and just generally be able to do general maintenance on my roof, as all "reputable" roofers seem to want to install scaffolding for everything.

I've just had a quote for £1,500 to install two vent tiles :D. I'm just not paying this much, but don't really want a ***** doing it up a ladder either, as they have to cut into the roof felt and do a decent job so we don't get leaks, so am looking into options to doing it myself.

The roof in question is as per the below picture. The two red arrows are above the ensuite and main bathroom and roughly show where the vents will need to go.

The red box is the area I will need to climb on / above.

The yellow arrow is the location of eyelet-style anchor that I might be able to use to hook onto with a safety harness...assuming it's actually bolted in OK.

fL8a0ZOh.jpeg


I have two smallish step ladders designed for general low-level home stuff.

I think I will need:

- One step ladder to reach first roof section
- Proper roof ladder to reach second section - or maybe just a single decent ladder to get to the top section?
- Floor mat or something to secure the ladder on the ground
- Harness and rope for anchor
- Grippy shoes
- Bicycle helmet :p
- Good accident insurance to be more brave than I currently am about heights

How does this sound? Would you do it or am I a fool for even considering it?
 
Really a single ladder to get over the porch section would be better. It looks like you already have solid ground so that's a good start. If you're moving around a bit the a stabiliser bar is a good shout, or have someone stood on the bottom for you.

Ultimately though you need to feel comfortable working at a height. If you're not then you're going to have to pay someone to do it.
 
I have tower scaffold and sections to span over a porch but before that I would have used:
  • A small ladder/steps to get onto the lower section and then again to get to the main roof.
  • For the main roof a section of ladder (part of a 2 or 3 part ladder) with roof hook/wheels attachment to hook over the ridge. These add-ons can be fixed onto most standard aluminium ladders and are quite cheap.
In my 20-30s I would just use steps to the lower level, pick them up and use them again to get to the main roof and then walked up the main roof. However I've worked on 100m+ radio masts, very high trees etc so what I am comfortable with isn't for everyone. If concerned I would say a ladder from the ground to the main roof but wedged/fixed at the base (against car or tied to an anchor on the house wall) and a ladder with roof wheels/hook on the main roof would feel the most secure other than getting the scaffolders in.
 
Thanks all. I will mull it over and do some internet shopping tomorrow.

I am definitely a wimp at height but not a complete jelly legs, so I think I'll get a decent tall straight ladder to get to the upper section, then a separate roof ladder to hook over the ridge.
 
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Ugh.. I would say get someone else to do it.

I am personally not good with heights so wouldn't recommend going up there, those tiles are covered in a slimy moss which is super slippery.

If you do go up, make sure you use a safety harness and tie yourself to a rope etc.
 
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Participant said:
It's the only way I can see to get proper bathroom ventilation.

There's currently no extraction apart from what the open windows can provide, and with 4 of us showering every day we're getting mould problems.
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Ah fair. It's why I wanted a vented roof tile too but I've since found a decent bit of eaves I didn't know existed :cry:

No way to tap into your ridge tile?

What does roof at the back look like?

Have you tried a plumber Vs a roofer?
 
Looks fairly shallow so easy enough to work on. My roof is 45deg so I need cat ladders.
As others said, I would use one ladder from the ground to the roof right over the porch, this may not be at the ideal angle (too shallow) but if you nudge the car up against the base of the ladder then the ladder cannot slip.
Can use some sheets of card, or a sheets to protect the car paint if needed. I did this several times at my old house which had a similar porch.
 
Just reminded myself of how I painted the lead around my mums house lol. Just climbed out of the 2nd story window and held onto the frame. Thank god it was screwed in well.
 
Thanks all. Here's my shopping list:

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I think that lot should allow me to do most roof jobs myself with my arrangement. The mat is because we are on a slight slope so the ladder feet will probably need to be levelled.

dlockers said:
Ah fair. It's why I wanted a vented roof tile too but I've since found a decent bit of eaves I didn't know existed :cry:

No way to tap into your ridge tile?

What does roof at the back look like?

Have you tried a plumber Vs a roofer?
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What do you mean tap into ridge tile? I know almost nothing about roofs.

Not tried a plumber yet actually. That's worth a go if I chicken out. I am getting more and more determined to risk mine and my family's livelihoods by doing it myself though.

decto said:
Looks fairly shallow so easy enough to work on. My roof is 45deg so I need cat ladders.
As others said, I would use one ladder from the ground to the roof right over the porch, this may not be at the ideal angle (too shallow) but if you nudge the car up against the base of the ladder then the ladder cannot slip.
Can use some sheets of card, or a sheets to protect the car paint if needed. I did this several times at my old house which had a similar porch.
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That is a very good plan. I will definitely back the car up against it; I think the angle of the ladder will have to be more shallow than optimal because of the porch.
 
Heres my two cents any roofing works just get a roofer in. It’ll be an absolute nightmare if you get leaks.

The fact you said you know almost nothing about roofs is worrying as well. There are other ways to save money I wouldn’t risk it personally.
 
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Your shopping basket takes your price down to under £1,200 for a professional, why risk breaking a bone or worse. There is so much that could go wrong, good luck if you chance it.
 
Reuben klang said:
He’s my two cents any roofing works just get a roofer in. It’ll be an absolute nightmare if you get leaks.

The fact you said you know almost nothing about roofs is worrying as well. There are other ways to save money I would risk it personally.
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This tbh.

Unless you know what you're doing removing tiles, making cuts, properly locating within the membrane and ensuring everything is leak free, then don't bother.

Also, the safety aspect is worrying, I wouldn't be climbing on that roof without having at minimum the right ladders over the ridge and properly mounted harness and tie off points.

Try and see if you can located a vent that comes out the soffit if possible, or better still, route it through the loft and punch out the wall with a cowled vent. Hopefully you're planning on using an inline fan on the loft space also.
 
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Don’t under estimate just how heavy and awkward ladders are especially when you’re on a roof trying to manoeuvre them about. It’s not easy and it is NOT fun. £1,500 is excessive for what you’re after but I’d look for a better quote rather than doing it myself.
 
or just put a more efficient ventilator/extractor access through the bathroom wall - after inspecting wall ties in cavity.
 
Im not understanding this. You can hire all the gear you need. If you wanted an alloy tower to get you to roof height, you can get them for £130-150 a day.
 
I'd hire some access equipment and do it myself, I reckon you could safely do it for under £500 including materials, plus carry out any other required jobs up there while you have the access.

We had scaffolding round the house to enable me to cap the fascias, and I took advantage of the easy access to put in a vent tile in readiness for our new bathroom.

Here are the tiles removed and ready for measuring and cutting the felt:

PXL-20220702-144721154.jpg


I had to explore the woodwork below by sliding up a few tiles in different places to get a spot where the tile I intended to replace sat nicely between 2 rafters.

When cutting the felt, rather than cutting a perfect circle to accommodate the downpipe, which I presumed was required, I was instructed to cut a diagonal cross, with the points of the cross flapping inwards. I followed the instructions and it's been watertight since installation about 2 years ago.

Here's the vent tile installed:

PXL-20220703-154302585.jpg


I painted a brown line over the newly exposed unweathered bit of tile to try and make it blend in, which was a complete waste of time :)

It looks a bit out of place close up but from the ground it's fine.
 
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