Metal Roof Question

Steve@Advance · Jun 12, 2017

I'm sure many of you have steel roofs.

I'm in the process of installing a steel R panel roof on my 10 x 20 backyard storage building.

I've carefully planned this so I could install the screws by reaching across the panel while standing on the scaffolding and wood sheathing. I've managed to fasten everything down as I go, including the ridge and hip caps, so far.

Now I'm to the point the last few sheets will go up, and I will have to get on the metal.

Problem is, the slick powder coat! Even though this is not a steep roof, (I can easily walk on the wood), the metal is so slick, even rubber soled shoes don't offer enough traction to stand on it, kneeling is even worse!

Any trick to getting around on this stuff without falling to certain death 8 feet below?

My thoughts are to tie a ladder in place through the door, lay another ladder across the roof and walk/lay on the ladder.

Thanks!

Dblair · Jun 12, 2017

foam rubber pad usually works for roofers .

Bill in IL · Jun 12, 2017

A rope over the top of the ridge to an anchor and around your waist or A ladder hooked over the top of the ridge works really well.

I never had much problem on steel till it was up there a couple of days. When its new and clean the shoes stick. When its dirty or wet you cant trust it. Sounds like yours is just steep.

Stroby · Jun 12, 2017

Rubber rain/mud boots! BUT, don't forget the rope. Boots are much better at adhering to the metal roof. Don't ask me how I know....

JMOR · Jun 12, 2017

(quoted from post at 16:15:28 06/12/17) I'm sure many of you have steel roofs.

I'm in the process of installing a steel R panel roof on my 10 x 20 backyard storage building.

I've carefully planned this so I could install the screws by reaching across the panel while standing on the scaffolding and wood sheathing. I've managed to fasten everything down as I go, including the ridge and hip caps, so far.

Now I'm to the point the last few sheets will go up, and I will have to get on the metal.

Problem is, the slick powder coat! Even though this is not a steep roof, (I can easily walk on the wood), the metal is so slick, even rubber soled shoes don't offer enough traction to stand on it, kneeling is even worse!

Any trick to getting around on this stuff without falling to certain death 8 feet below?

My thoughts are to tie a ladder in place through the door, lay another ladder across the roof and walk/lay on the ladder.

Thanks!

used a rope over the peak & tied to a fence post on other side, a loop (like a stirrup) for my foot. "A"-frame with 45 degree slope (1/1 pitch).

JDEM · Jun 12, 2017

You just have the wrong footwear. I walk on many a steel roof as steep as 5/12 with cheap Walmart sneakers. It must be dry and not super cold. I just got done putting two roofs on a house and pole-barn. 4/12 and 5/12 and walked them fine with the RIGHT sneakers. I also note I've got a few pieces of footwear that I cannot wear on such a roof even though they too have rubber soles.

If you are using exposed fasteners - and are nervous - keep your feet on them as anchors.

ddbar3 · Jun 12, 2017

I have done more of this kind of work (for a living) than most of the people on this board. I find the safest way to do it is putting a ladder to the gable end and straddling the peak. You can reach down farther then you might think you can. This will get the top of the roof done, then you can work the last sheat's by moving the ladder down the end fly rafter, including the rake trim.

db4600 · Jun 12, 2017

Years back my foreman had a pair of crepe soled boots. When they are new they grab on great. These were worn and he had problems staying aloft on OSB. At break I told him to give me his shoes and I proceeded to cut "sipes" in the soles. Shallow slits about a 1/2" apart across the sole. I told him that when we need more bight at the dirt track we "sipe" the tires with a hot iron. The trick work good on his boots. If you look for a good soft rubber sole with a fairly busy pattern it should bight. I too have got good rubber soled boots that wont stick like a soft rubber soled shoes if the pattern is right.

John T · Jun 12, 2017

Being one who is very safety conscious and one who values my life highly, regardless of what brand or type or purpose of footwear you use, Id still want the extra safety afforded by ropes, halters and ladders etc. like you're talking about. I AGREE WITH YOU. I'm NOT trying to stop others who may be more risk takers then myself, let them choose to do as they well please, its their life at risk not mine, but I wouldn't trust footwear alone, I prefer additional safety but that's just old conservative safety minded me lol. TO EACH THEIR OWN

John T

JDEM · Jun 12, 2017

I always do the same or something equivalent (safety rope). Can't say I ever slipped yet where it saved my life but it is
good insurance. In fact, I am probably more sure-footed by having it and being less nervous.

Last steel roof I did, I tied the rope to my little Chevy Tracker that was parked in front. It would of been pretty funny if
my wife had hopped into it and taken off (but she knew better).

Comments on other comments here? I have no way of knowing who "most" is and who has done what for their lives. I worked as a
diesel/tractor mechanic and in house construction, "for a living", for 40 years. I still do both on a daily basis but not as
a "living" anymore.

Funny how things change. When I first went to work as a house-builder's helper 50 years ago - he insisted I always have a
straight-claw hammer in my hanger whenever on a steep roof. Why? He claimed if I slipped, I could punch a hole in the roof
with it and let it be my anchor. Cannot say I ever had to try that.

JBDyer · Jun 12, 2017

Put some Coke on the bottom of your converse and let it dry.

in-too-deep · Jun 12, 2017

Get you a pair of these.
Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers

farmerwithmutt · Jun 12, 2017

Multi purpose ladders. The kind you can use as a stepladder or ladder . look up werner multipurpose ladder just lay it across the ridge and you can walk up and down without slipping then simply slid it over.

Sean Feeney · Jun 12, 2017

I always remember my dad telling a story just like that she never saw the rope attached to rear bumper of car pulled her husband right off killing him.

Stephen Newell · Jun 12, 2017

It's probably the oil they coat the galvalume with. If that were cleaned off you could easily walk on it. I've put it on a two story building before. I just put one screw into it from the ladder and go ahead and get on the roof. When you do walk on it be sure not to step on the ridges. They will sometimes crush.

Tom in Ga · Jun 12, 2017

Working on any metal roof or a shingle roof more than about 5/12 pitch, I'm not ashamed to tie a rope off to something solid. I wrap it around my waist a couple of times and stand on the slack. That way I can move up and down as needed. Now it is not very often I will be on a roof at all. Tommy

Zachary Hoyt · Jun 12, 2017

Most of the roofs I have put on were 6/12 pitches and I can walk on them when the metal is dry and warm, like over 65 degrees. Cold or wet and it's pretty hard to do. I have found that the sandals I wear in the summer with fairly aggressive rubber treads work better than my work boots with smoother tread and harder soles. I did a 12x16 shed with a 12/12 pitch and had to do each sheet by leaning over as far as I could. I couldn't get on it at all.
Zach

Duner Wi · Jun 12, 2017

Two way I do it. Put the bottom on the ladder in loader bucket and raise till ladder lays flat on roof.
Or lay ladder flat on roof and tie off to the other side with a rope. I have done both ways depending on how much traveling I need to do. Use a short ladder to get up to your roof ladder. Don't apply your weight between the purlins. Try to step on them.
Have fun!

Hobo,NC · Jun 12, 2017

If you are not conferrable don't do it. I can walk on my roof now but it took a few years before I could. I still don't like to get up there...

I thought about gluing some shelf liner to a old set of shoes.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Duck-Cover...KZaJDGm9yeK12rw7QKAgrnhNaeVGMpxSCsBoCsQvw_wcB

Steve@Advance · Jun 12, 2017

Thanks everyone, lots of good ideas!

in-too-deep, I like yours best! But I am keeping the controller with me at all times! LOL

I do like the foam pad idea. As small as this building is, I can almost reach the peak from the ladder, thinking I can just lay the foam up there and scooch up on my belly!

I was first thinking about straddling the ridge, but the cap is so thin it won't support any weight. A rope or hooking a ladder across it would certainly crush it.

I'll be careful, I have a few days to think about it, won't get to work on it until Friday.

Thanks again!

kcm.MN · Jun 13, 2017

Great thinking Steve - that's the hottest day of the week! :lol:

Better set the alarm early. :wink:

hermit · Jun 13, 2017

Wrap duct tape around your shoes backwards. Sticky side out.

JohnLeePettimore · Jun 13, 2017

Bolt hooks to the ladder to hook over the peak.

Metal Roof Question

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