how to properly walk on a red tile roof ?

[jimhanson]

hi guys,
I am not a home inspector.
I am just trying to figure out how to walk on my red tile roof without breaking any tiles.
I have walked my own and I have already broken a tile.
Do you put your foot across the ridge of 2 tiles ?
Do you put your foot just along the ridge of 1 tiles ?
Do you put your foot diagonally across 1 tile ?
Do you put your foot diagonally across 2 tiles ?
Do you put your foot in the valley between 2 tiles ?

thanks,
Jim

[ecox1]

As a home inspector I'm not required to walk roofs as per NACHI standards. When I come across tile roof I don't get on instead I use my binoculars from the ground and at the eaves. You should do the same. This will save you a whole lot of trouble.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Clay tile is almost impossible to walk without damaging/breaking tiles (unless you weigh less than 100 lbs.), however, if you must walk the roof, the best method is as in picture #1.

Also, you need to step where the tiles "lap" eachother (toward the lower edge of the tile). This way, you're actually standing on 4 tiles with one foot.

Hopefully you have some spare tiles. . .

[Jason A. Sieg, CMI]

Sorry, but I have to say this... Rent a boom truck.

The only way not to brake tiles is to not touch them.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by jsieg

The only way not to brake tiles is to not touch them.

. . .and sometimes they still break.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

I never walk tile roofs .

Roy sr

[rfarruggia]

I agree with Jason, rent a boom truck.

Why the hell would you want to walk on them anyway?

[NWJon]

I agree with Jeff Pope. A 26 year veteran of building customs and I have learned a variety of ways to make and do things that seem not do-able. Ideally... don't walk on a clay roof... but if you have too... Jeff's description is correct... Also, another method is to distribute your weight to 3 or 4 points (still on the lower edge of the tiles) using your hands. You would be basically Crab walking. (hard on back, I know from experience) Anyway... good luck.

Cheers,
Jon

Originally Posted by NWJon

I agree with Jeff Pope. A 26 year veteran of building customs and I have learned a variety of ways to make and do things that seem not do-able. Ideally... don't walk on a clay roof... but if you have too... Jeff's description is correct... Also, another method is to distribute your weight to 3 or 4 points (still on the lower edge of the tiles) using your hands. You would be basically Crab walking. (hard on back, I know from experience) Anyway... good luck.

Cheers,
Jon

I do not think it would be in your best interest to walk on the tiles. To even sugest a proper technique is rediculous. It is a safety hazard and may lead to damage that will be costly to repair.
Contact a professional roofer to do the job, that way, he will be better equipped to do the job right!!!!!

[Jay Moge]

Originally Posted by twheeler

I do not think it would be in your best interest to walk on the tiles. To even sugest a proper technique is rediculous. It is a safety hazard and may lead to damage that will be costly to repair.
Contact a professional roofer to do the job, that way, he will be better equipped to do the job right!!!!!

damage that only a team of doctors and physical theropists can't fix.

[jimhanson]

thanks guys.

i walk my red tile roof to put up ham radio antennas.

so , i just wanted to find the best way.

thanks,
jim

[Jay Moge]

Originally Posted by jimhanson

thanks guys.

i walk my red tile roof to put up ham radio antennas.

so , i just wanted to find the best way.

thanks,
jim

buy a tower and save the roof.

[jcundiff]

I would use a hook ladder and stay on the ladder. If its a lower pitch, maybe plywood- just make sure the plywood stays put.

[sbailey1]

I never walk tile roofs!

Homewise Home Inspections PLLC
www.homewisehomeinspections.com

[SunReal]

Clay tiles should never be walked on period. I walk on concrete tiles roofs as often as I can get on them safely. They are designed to be walked on, if installed properly. In my opinon the only way to really inspect a roof properly is to walk on the roof and view all areas.

Its a matter of ethics for me and my company. If I break a tile (have yet to during an inspection...have broken several on my own roof, while doing maintenance and when I installed a skylight)...anyway I have a corporate policy that states we identify if we break a tile during the inspection (or anything else) and have a policy about how we compensate for the damage.

Maybe somebody can convince me that they can inspect a roof at the same level of detail that I can while on it, without being on it, but I dont know how .