(2nd try) How do you climb down from a roof?

[Treemonkey1000]

I can't add any more wisdom than what is already been given. You certainly wouldn't want to follow any of my examples. Being cautious before the fact is a lot more wisdom than after the fact. Heck if you were in my neck of the woods I would have done the work for you.
If you want to have some real scare factor come up and hang about 80' up in a tree pushing a big top over. That is when I have usually said a Prayer or two to the Lord to watch over me.
There have been times when I was a good bit on the scared side stepping out onto the climbing spurs and rehooking my flipline around the trunk. Now I always have two fliplines. One around the trunk and the other to reset for the next move.

 

[beenthere]

You guys that do that work in the tree tops earn your pay and have to be on your toes. Any pics of you in the trees?

 

[Treemonkey1000]

I do have pictures. This thread is about ladder safety though. Just a few shots of what I do in my spare time. The one with me in a white T shirt I am actually standing on the top of a tree about 40' above the ground that happens to be level with the guys yard. Two shots are me taking down a 100'
for my neighbor. The tree was next to his house and deck so I had to speedline down the branches. And one shot with me looking down is a tree in my own yard that was blown over by a large windstorm we had a couple of years ago.
At 51 years old I am still young enough to do the work but old enough to know better.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Thanks for the pic.
Seems I would be going onto the lower side roof and then onto the 2nd story roof (not directly onto the high roof from the ground). Looks like one could almost jump onto the 2nd story from the peak of the first , but can't see that height from the pic.

I'd only ladder that high side of the house to work on the eaves or windows on that side.

Unless the roof was close enough I wouldn't try using a ladder on the lower roof to the upper roof. There is a far greater chance of the ladder tipping on the angled roof then on the flat ground.

 

[beenthere]

Robert
I agree, I wouldn't do that either unless I built a base that would allow the ladder feet to set square with the world. Rigging a solid base at the pitch of the lower roof shouldn't be a major task.
Just that to me, a trip or mis-step is a lot less fall from top to the roof than from the top to the ground. Ouch, hurts just thinking about it.

 

[EddieWalker]

I've found that having the ladder only come up a foot or two above the edge is what I prefer. Any higher, and I'm workng on getting around the ladder, or tripping over it by going over it. With just one or two rungs above the edge, I can easily climb over the ladder and not go around it. This makes a huge difference in my comfort level and confidence.

Eddie

 

[deepNdirt]

Sorry Folks! I dug back and found an old comercial I seen a couple years ago,............ This coins the term/meaning " don't fall for gimics"
checkout this Vids,
YouTube - QVC ladder fall
iwonder how many of those ladders they sold?

 

[JustGary]

Practice. It really is a leap of faith.

How do you practice? Simple:

Set up a ladder somewhere. It should be tall enough that you can use at least six feet of it, but other than that, it doesn't really matter. Your big extension ladder will work great.

Get a sawhorse or some other low platform that you can put right behind the ladder (to simulate the roof your ladder would otherwise lean up against.

Stand on the sawhorse and practice stepping from the sawhorse onto the ladder until it feels natural to you. Also practice grabbing the ladder lower than you would like to have it (only two or three feet above the sawhorse). This will simulate the extension ladder sticking above the roofline by only that amount. Do this until you have absolutely no fear of the step from the roof to the ladder. When you are done, you will know exactly how much ladder you want sticking above the roof. Any less means you don't step off the ladder in the first place.

Consider using a second platform that is taller than the first one and practicing some more at a higher level. Work your way up if you need to acclimate to the height.

Once you get the hang of it, you can step onto the ladder in one motion without the fear that will get you into trouble. The height will still get you, but you can be confident in your ability to step onto the ladder.

Regards,

- Just Gary

P.S. Of course, all of the other suggestions still apply...

 

[RAF]

In your OP I saw your not against saftey equipment. This will be the best money you will spend for those ill feelings you get. Fall Tech Contractor Plus Roofer's Kit, Model# 7595A | Harnesses | Northern Tool + Equipment I work in commercial construction and have seen some bad things happen to people that were comfortable with heights. We have had deaths with ladders only 8' high. Just today I almost took a 30' fall ( got a little to comfortable ). Ladder 3' above roof line, and tieing it off are very good things but having a proper safety harness, lanyard, and life line in place will take care of the slips and trips.

One other thing to say. Make sure someone is on the ground watching out for you if something does happen. Hang in a harness for to long could kill you to.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I've found that having the ladder only come up a foot or two above the edge is what I prefer. Any higher, and I'm workng on getting around the ladder, or tripping over it by going over it. With just one or two rungs above the edge, I can easily climb over the ladder and not go around it. This makes a huge difference in my comfort level and confidence.

Eddie

Eddie while I agree with what you are saying there is a slight difference to what the OP is looking for. He is nervous getting back onto the ladder. We are so use to climbing on and off of roofs we actually want as little ladder out of the way. However, if it is a steep roof where we are working off of roof jacks then it is the 3' above so that you can grab hold of the top of the ladder comfortably and step on. The OP is nervous getting on the ladder and it would be easier and safer for him to have the ladder 3' above I believe so he has a comfortable grip on the top of the ladder as he tries to step on the first rung down from the edge of the roof.

I have carried way too many bundles of shingles, rolls of roofing and felt paper and all sorts of other tools up ladders and on to roofs I know what you mean about not wanting the ladder in the way. I just don't think the OP is ready for having to reach down at the edge of a roof to get onto a ladder like we are use to doing.