AU_Prospector

Guys, I need some confidence here.

Just purchased a home that is 5 years old. I need to get on the roof to repair a ventilation stack flashing that is leaking water around the vent pipe and into my attic. My home is multi level, luckily the stack is on the lower level roof.

My problem is the roof is pitched at 45 degrees and I'm a little nervous about it. My prior home had a 30 degree pitch to the roof and I was on it twice a year with no sweat cleaning gutters. Should I be worried? It just looks a lot steeper. Luck is with me as the stack is only a couple feet from a roof line valley which I intend to use as a crutch for leverage on my feet.

What do you think?
Prospector

kok328

You think it looks steep now, wait til you get up there. Next time I have to go up for the same reason, I'll be tying off a line to the front of the house while I go up the back of the roof.

travelover

What could go wrong?

AU_Prospector

Well considering my luck, the worst will most likely happen.

I guess my question better stated is 45 degree pitched roof repair, "no problem", or "call a professional". ?

If it were 30 degrees or less on the roof angle I wouldnt even be asking.

inspectorD

I'm not afraid of heights...it's the widths that scare me.

You want to know if it's OK, well as long as you are comfortable and safe. Once you climb up...getting back down to the ladder is the scary part. Make sure someone is there, to help if you fall.

If you are determined to DIY maybe rent some staging...and get some other things done also.
Just a thought, sometimes it is better to get someone out to do it. This frees you up for other DIY stuff.

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Just My
Made in the

Hack

I learned something after scaling my 18/12 pitch roof...it's much easier going up than coming down.

Is it possible to lay the extension ladder ON the roof rather than just up to the edge or gutter? If the extension ladder extends past this at a shallower angle, it becomes a sort of scaffold on the roof itself. Then you're not walking on the roof...see my lame attempt at a picture below...

I've done this before and it works rather well. I feel much safer...

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Hack (a.k.a. Jeff)

Hack

I agree with this 200%. My roof is pretty scary, so I go up there as little as possible.

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Hack (a.k.a. Jeff)

AU_Prospector

Thanks everyone,

I like Hack's idea and will try that first. Maybe do a dry run climbing up and down a couple times to get used to it. I have a 24 foot extension with safety bars attached that just might work. Not too worried about the height, its the pitch that was getting to me. The other stack is on the higher portion of my roof and thankfully is not leaking.

My dad wants me to tie off a line to the opposite side of the house, but unless I park the truck in the front yard, there is nothing to anchor to.

It seems like newer builds in my area of the country have exceedingly high roof lines for no apparent reason. There is an awful lot of empty space in the attic of my home heightwise.

Thanks again

MinConst

What happens when the ladder gives way?

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ToolGuy

How I would do it...



Just make sure the two sections are rigid and can't flex.

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