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

[drssg]

My first attempt to post this got boogered some how, so I'm trying again.

I could use some very detailed instructions, preferably with pictures, on proper technique to get from the roof back onto the step ladder.

From a comfort level, I feel pretty good on the ladder and on the roof, but I get the heeby jeebies going right over to the edge of our 2nd floor roof to get back on the ladder. If I felt like I was using a proper technique, I think that would help my confidence.

I have some minor shingle repair work to do, so I'm hoping I don't have to get too carried away with safety equipment. But I'm not against buying some stuff, as I'd probably use it on other jobs.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Are you setting the step ladder on a 1st story roof? The only way I would do that is if I was able to just lean the step ladder up against the other roof without having to unfold the ladder. If it doesn't reach the roof then you are flirting with a serious injury. Buy a new extension ladder that will reach above the roof line at least 3 feet so you can grab hold of the top of the ladder as you step on to the first rung below the roof edge.

We also put extension ladders on 1st story roofs if we need to get up to a second story roof and it is the easiest way. Two ways to do it is to tie the ladder off to the wall with an anchor or nail a 2x4 into the roof your setting on to keep the feet from sliding. Nailinga 2x4 is acceptable if your replacing that roof but not so much if your just trying to get up to the second floor.

 

[beenthere]

My first attempt to post this got boogered some how, so I'm trying again.

I could use some very detailed instructions, preferably with pictures, on proper technique to get from the roof back onto the step ladder.

From a comfort level, I feel pretty good on the ladder and on the roof, but I get the heeby jeebies going right over to the edge of our 2nd floor roof to get back on the ladder. If I felt like I was using a proper technique, I think that would help my confidence.

I have some minor shingle repair work to do, so I'm hoping I don't have to get too carried away with safety equipment. But I'm not against buying some stuff, as I'd probably use it on other jobs.

Pls post a pic of your situation. From the description, can't tell for sure what you have.

But you can jury rig some temporary "railing" to assist finding the ladder steps. Most often, coming down is the hairiest part of the whole ordeal.

Shouldn't be stepping down to a top stepladder step, so hopefully your step ladder is tall enough (either for two stories, or one story).

For sure, you want to do it so you cannot fall. (slight wink smiley here )

 

[Erik_in_Hoyt]

I only use a step ladder when it sticks up far enough above the edge of the roof that I can't miss it - otherwise I go with an extension ladder or my gorilla ladder, which is a cross between a step and an extension.
OTOH, I've been known to set an 8' step ladder in the bed of my truck so it would reach, but that's not safety police approved.

 

[drssg]

Thanks for the responses. I'll try to get a picture posted tomorrow to make it clearer.

I'm using an extension ladder (24' ?) to go directly from the ground to the 2nd floor roof. The ladder is long enough to reach the edge of the roof. And I have enough length that I can choose how far I want the ladder to extend beyond the gutter.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Thanks for the responses. I'll try to get a picture posted tomorrow to make it clearer.

I'm using an extension ladder (24' ?) to go directly from the ground to the 2nd floor roof. The ladder is long enough to reach the edge of the roof. And I have enough length that I can choose how far I want the ladder to extend beyond the gutter.

So you do not have a step ladder then and mean the step of the extension ladder?

If your using the extension ladder just raise it up 3' above the roof and then you just hold on to the top of the ladder as you step on to the first rung of the ladder below the roof edge. Also, tie the ladder off to the gutter as soon as you get up there the first time. This will keep the ladder from blowing over and help you also if you go to step on it and it slides for any particular reason.

 

[Tig]

Have a look at what I built for my ladder. I'm sure I didn't invent this. I even burnt it when I was done. It puts weight on the roof surface making it impossible for the ladder to shift. Someone tells us what it's called so we can find a better pic on the web.

[URL=http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v347/sbattig/TBN/?action=view&current=roofladder.jpg][/URL]

It is actually attached to the ladder rungs via tin straps. You would have to swing like a monkey to have an accident. I carried some 80 bundles of shingles up to the roof on this.
This also saves your gutter by keeping the ladder off of it.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Have a look at what I built for my ladder. I'm sure I didn't invent this. I even burnt it when I was done. It puts weight on the roof surface making it impossible for the ladder to shift. Someone tells us what it's called so we can find a better pic on the web.

[URL="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v347/sbattig/TBN/?action=view&current=roofladder.jpg"][/URL]

Thats similar to a ladder stabilizer/stand off which is usually made of aluminum and designed to hook over two rungs

 

[J_J]

Even though you can get on the roof, you should have some extra support to keep safe. Here is what I would recommend, and I learned this from a firefighter. Use 4, 8 x cement blocks and put a rope through them, and throw the other end of the rope over the roof. When you climb the ladder, grab the rope, and either hold it tight, or tie it around yourself. Even if you fell, he said you would not pull those blocks up, and if you were so big that you could, it would be a gentle fall. I have tried it working on steep roofs, and it worked for me.

 

[roamerr]

You need a longer ladder. I need at least 4 ft sticking up above the roof. I have tried stepping on ladders at roof level and it makes me really sick feeling. I wanna grab the ladder while still comfortably standing on the roof.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

You need a longer ladder. I need at least 4 ft sticking up above the roof. I have tried stepping on ladders at roof level and it makes me really sick feeling. I wanna grab the ladder while still comfortably standing on the roof.

The idea with 3' above is that you can still comfortably grab the ladder but as you go to step on the first rung below the roof edge you can do so by leaning over the top of the ladder. Any higher then 3' and you can't do that as easily, they you having to walk around the ladder to step on it. But its what ever your most comfortable with. From my own experience I dislike it above or below 3' if your carrying tools or any supplies up the ladder.

 

[drssg]

So you do not have a step ladder then and mean the step of the extension ladder?

If your using the extension ladder just raise it up 3' above the roof and then you just hold on to the top of the ladder as you step on to the first rung of the ladder below the roof edge. Also, tie the ladder off to the gutter as soon as you get up there the first time. This will keep the ladder from blowing over and help you also if you go to step on it and it slides for any particular reason.

Yes. Sorry about the confusion, I meant to say extension ladder in the OP, instead of step ladder.

This is all good stuff. I think tying the ladder to the gutter would help me feel more comfortable.

I also like J_J's suggestion with the rope. I don't have cement blocks, but I have a heavy duty anchor I could screw into the ground that I'm sure would hold me.

I currently can't see the picture Tig posted, due to the firewall at work. I'll check it out this evening.

 

[firemanpat2910]

all advise so far is spot on. Ladder should be 3' plus or minus above the roof. tied on top is good, also tied in the middle if you have a first floor window or door? make sure the bottom is set properly. If there is a picture of the correct angel on the side of the ladder USE IT ! if the ladder is on concrete or simular hard surface rubber pads (shoes) should sit flat and level. If on soft dirt then sink legs into ground. If your ladder dosent have spikes for soft ground drive a 2x2 stake on the side away from the house so ladder cant slide out from under you.

 

[firemanpat2910]

LOL WHATEVER you do dont tie to the bumper of your wifes car for an anchor!!!!!!!! none of the stories that start that way end good.

 

[tommu56]

LOL WHATEVER you do dont tie to the bumper of your wifes car for an anchor!!!!!!!! none of the stories that start that way end good.

you can however tie it to "your" tractor and pocket the key.

tom

 

[blueriver]

LOL WHATEVER you do dont tie to the bumper of your wifes car for an anchor!!!!!!!! none of the stories that start that way end good.

Seriously ... I know a fella who tied a rope to the bumper of his truck, threw it over the roof. Climb up, grabed the rope and tied himself off ... was working and all of a sudden he heard his truck fire up!! Yep the wife pulled him over the roof.... a few things broke and alot of sore. I think something was also CHEWED!!!

 

[uniongoon]

You sound dangerous, rent a cherry picker

 

[joed3320]

I prefer rubber bungee wrapped once around the wrung closest to the gutter or anywhere that is near the top edge of the roof where I can hold the ladder tight.Three feet above the roof line is good.

 

[smitty9266]

I have had several versions of these products, they are called ladder stabilizers. Here is the one I have currently LadderMaxLLC lmhome

Would not be without one keeps you from smashing gutters and keeps the ladder from blowing down. They also have a lot of other uses.

Jeff

 

[LBrown59]

Are you setting the step ladder on a 1st story roof? The only way I would do that is if I was able to just lean the step ladder up against the other roof without having to unfold the ladder. If it doesn't reach the roof then you are flirting with a serious injury. Buy a new extension ladder that will reach above the roof line at least 3 feet so you can grab hold of the top of the ladder as you step on to the first rung below the roof edge.

We also put extension ladders on 1st story roofs if we need to get up to a second story roof and it is the easiest way. Two ways to do it is to tie the ladder off to the wall with an anchor or nail a 2x4 into the roof your setting on to keep the feet from sliding. Nailinga 2x4 is acceptable if your replacing that roof but not so much if your just trying to get up to the second floor.

Nothing to grab hold of is what I don't like about step ladders.