Professional: Must walk roof?

[tdietrich1]

I was reading an article about HomeDepot contractors inspecting roofs without stepping on them, part of a news report about HD customers complaining about subcontractors and HD. http://www.nbc4.tv/news/10176414/detail.html

This is a quote from the president of the Roofing Contractors Association of Southern California, "..a roofer can't adequately evaluate a roof without stepping foot on it..."

Any comments?

tom

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by tdietrich1

"a roofer can't adequately evaluate a roof without stepping foot on it..."

I completely agree, and I will go so far as to say the same for a home inspector - even though we are not required to walk the roof.

[Dale Duffy]

Originally Posted by jpope

I completely agree, and I will go so far as to say the same for a home inspector - even though we are not required to walk the roof.

Ditto Ditto

I wouldn't be able to sleep at night if I thought there was a major item I might have missed from not walking a "Safe Roof to walk" in my personal opinion.

[Richard D. Slocum]

I agree, if it's safe, you gotta get up there and take a look. If you don't walk it, document it as to your reasons for not doing so, and explain to the client your reasons.

[dchew]

You will find plenty of problems on tile roofs. Many roofers will leave scrap pieces of tiles in the hidden valleys thinking that no one will ever climb up on a tile roof. WRONG!

Learn how to walk on a roof, especially tile roofs. There's a way where you minimize the risk of breaking tiles.

Before you walk on any roof, 1st check out the attic to see if the roof structure is capable of supporting your weight. Always try and walk the roof if it's safe to.

[Blaine Wiley]

There are two types of roof coverings here that I will not step foot upon. Tile roofs are one because at 250 lbs. the cracking sound underfoot makes my wallet quiver. I know how to walk them, and I also know how to misstep. Metal roofs are the other, because I remember sliding down one at one time, and that last drop off is a doozy.

On a roof I won't walk, I get a ladder at the eaves on each side of the roof.

Otherwise, If I can get on it I do. I have found many, many defects on roof coverings, chimneys, flashings, etc. over the years that I would not have been able to find otherwise.

Must you walk them? No. Is it prudent? If your competent to do so, and it won't damage the surface, yes.

[thejnicki]

I agree with Blaine, My narrow 220 even gets those tiles cracking..
If you walk on a tile roof of a brand new home, the warranty is voided in CA.

I have done many years of contract work and no matter how careful I was when walking the roof, sometimes they break..

But as a home inspector, "If you have no soul" you can call out all the tiles you break..

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Ditto with all the above.

But in my case I will push it to 8/12 pitch unless it is covered with snow.

I only weigh 165# , bounce like a frog and sting like a bee. Man that brings back memories for some odd reason. ha. ha.

Marcel

[John Nosworthy]

Marcel
your middle name must be "cat" to walk a 8/12 without hesitation. any special shoes you pull out of the bag for this pitch?

[Marcel R. Cyr]

http://www.jordandavid.com/art1.htm

I also rope around the closet projection on the roof and run like hell.
Although my age is slowing me down I really need Ms. Margurita or should to keep doing it. ha. ha.

Marcel

[Ted Allen]

Originally Posted by bwiley

There are two types of roof coverings here that I will not step foot upon. Tile roofs are one because at 250 lbs. the cracking sound underfoot makes my wallet quiver. I know how to walk them, and I also know how to misstep. Metal roofs are the other, because I remember sliding down one at one time, and that last drop off is a doozy.

On a roof I won't walk, I get a ladder at the eaves on each side of the roof.

Otherwise, If I can get on it I do. I have found many, many defects on roof coverings, chimneys, flashings, etc. over the years that I would not have been able to find otherwise.

Must you walk them? No. Is it prudent? If your competent to do so, and it won't damage the surface, yes.

Ditto, exept 190lbs. instead of 250

I have cracked cement tiles twice and will not walk them anymore. = $375 OUCH
I can see most things from the eves and anything I cannot see gets reported and deffered. CYA

There are cases were I only use binocks , but those are useually second story tile roofs. I recomend 8X50's with a glare coating.

I reccomend these
The price will scare you, but I had an older version for a different purpose in an earlier life. In other words I already had a set. Excellent optics though.

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

I have a pair of size 9 cougars paws for sale - worn 1 time with extra soles for STEEP ROOFS.

We walk what we need to and don't walk the rest.

If you stop and think about the times you can't walk a roof safely its probably in my area about 50/50.

It rained today; its tile or slate and over 8/12; it would take a 28' - 32' ladder to reach the eaves; its 95-100 degrees and the comp roof is in melt-down; its old BRITTLE wood shake/wood shingle and every step breaks 2 more shingles; its icy or snow covered; its too steep (over 8/12) and WAY UP in the air (long drop); its 8:30 AM and the roof is wet with condensation.

Never had a client tell me we missed roof defects. Have had whiny clients or other inspectors tell me that they read an article and YOU can't inspect a roof without walking it. I've always told them I'm glad to know that - I wish I'd known that 28 yrs ago when I started doing this.

[Greg Veal]

I've got some 10x50's coated, and they work quite well from the ground in most cases, and certainly from the eaves off a ladder.

I'm 260 & 53yrs., but that's irrelevent as far as I'm concerned. I, my wife and my Ins. Agt. are all happy I don't walk roofs, other than Commercial/Industrial roofs, and not all of them.

I've discussed at length with Mfg. Reps. and Prof. Roofers, using OC, JM, Cert., Metal, Concrete, Wood, Elasto, etc.
They all have told me, that it is always best to avoid walking any roof, unless there is an obvious problem(s) that would not be aggravated by walking on it. They all say that everytime you walk a roof, you stand to do more harm than good. The possible damage outweighs the benefit of close up knowledge. They recommend investigating from the eaves or inside attic areas, before any consideration of walking a roof.

I always look close with Binoculars and recommend further investigation if I see something, anything that looks suspicious.

And, if a leak occurs, they can't blame me for walking the roof, causing damage. I hate finger pointing, playing the blame game, and no possible way of winning in Court.

[tdutt]

Will you guys walk on a wood shake roof covering? If its been raining, I can't walk them, way too slippery. Even with just a little fresh dew in the morning, they are too slick. But I also heard from a roofer that I would almost certainly damage the wood shakes if I walk them. Has anybody else heard this from the roofing trade or roofing suppliers, that we shouldn't be walking wood shake roofs to avoid damaging them?

[Blaine Wiley]

Originally Posted by gveal

I always look close with Binoculars and recommend further investigation if I see something, anything that looks suspicious.

I guess the question I would have with this (and remember, I am one of those who doesn't like the "further evaluation" line except in unusual circumstances) is that if you are there, and see something suspicious, why wouldn't you provide further evaluation of the item in question yourself?

There are certainly many reasons not to walk a roof. The thought always creeps into my head though at an inspection, "am I providing the most thorough evaluation of this component that I can reasonably give my client?" The roof is a component that if walked, is fully visible, the attic under that same roof is not always fully visible.

Not trying to get anyone to walk a roof who doesn't feel it's necessary, or certainly not for anyone uncomfortable, just trying to explain the reason I walk every roof I can.