I have been told by a couple older neighbors that you should NEVER walk on a roof once it is shingled. I told them walking on it once or twice a year to check things will not hurt it. I said the sun is harder on the shingles than my footsteps. Whos right??
thanks
Replies
Shouldn't hurt them unless they're extremely hot. Then you could make quite a mess out of them.
Aside from possible warranty issues (I think I just read something about walking voiding the warranty, but I don't know) as long as you're careful to protect the roof AND protect yourself, it won't do any damage. You are talking about fiberglass/ashalt shingles, right? (Different rules for cedar shingles, asbestos cement shingles, tile, slate, etc.)
Be careful always, and be carefull at valleys and along the ridge (woven valleys often aren't fully supported along the valley center line.)
I'd say walking the roof checking things out, flashings, chimney cap, etc and keeping them maintained is far more important than some miniscule damage to the shingles.
I rarely inspect a house more than 30-40 years old where there aren't leak stains around the chimney and often waste vent stacks. Mortar chimney caps are almost always cracked (and usually done wrong from the start)
As a practical matter, before leaving the ladder and getting on the roof, be sure that you will be able to safely get back off the roof onto the ladder. There have been times when I've scared the bejabbers out of myself realizing after I'm on the roof that the "dismount" is going to be tricky! (I walk 2-3 roofs a day!)
Also, the rake edge can often give you something to hold onto, going up and down valleys is always a lower pitch, and coming down on a steep one, the loss of dignity in doing a "crab walk" (dragging your butt on the roof for added slip resistence) is a lot less than the loss of dignity in rolling, moaning on the ground waiting for the ambulance to come.
Now, if you fall off or get hurt, I'm here to tell you that walking on roofs is extremely dangerous. If you're going to do it, be sure to attend classes on appropriate safety measures: ladder use; tie-offs; OSHA rules; and proper religious prayer and sacrifice techniques to keep the roof gods happy and the gravity god distracted while you're risking your neck. Be sure to tell your lawyer I advised you to stay off of that roof.
Finally, do not look at the back cover of the latest FHB for an example as to how to dismount from the roof! ("Extreme carpentry, indeed!)
It doesn't hurt the shingles, assuming a few things...
1. No temperature extremes. Too hot, as Boss Hog mentioned, you can screw up the shingles be leaving impressions in the shingles, etc. Too cold, they could be brittle, and if it's an older roof you could bust off some of the tabs (assuming 3 tab shingles).
2. If it's slate or some other material like tiles, etc... I'd stay off. Again those materials can get brittle with age, and typically don't like people taking a stroll on them.