Using A Ladder To Access A Roof

You want the ladder to be at least 3 feet higher than your roof line.

Using a ladder to access a roof.

Residential roofers will most often use a combination of different ladders to install shingles or complete other roofing tasks. The steepness of the roof will not allow the ladder to stay on straight rather it will be slanted which in turn would increase your risk of falling off. The key feature that differentiates a roof ladder from a standard ladder is the presence of a hooked end at the very top. Also known as cat ladders roof access ladders provide additional safety for those looking to conduct rooftop activities such as dedicated roofers and tv aerial satellite installers.

The main issue with the ladder and the roof comes up is the surface is sloped or steep. In other words for every 4 feet of ladder you need to move the base out 1 foot from the house. This could damage the gutter. For a small roof access hatch such as the bilco e 50tb which has internal dimensions of 915mm x 915mm a fixed vertical ladder should be specified.

This is prevents sliding of the legs of the ladder. Also make sure not to use the gutter as a support as you climb back on the roof. Roofers will usually use an extension ladder to gain access to the roof and a second extension ladder with wheels and hooks to secure it to the ridge of the roof to complete the work from the roof. Posted on september 14 2020 by miriam wheeler.

An easy way to figure the angle is to use a 1 4 ratio. What can be done instead is to ask someone to hold the ladder securely as you climb back on the ladder. The companionway ladder is a 75 degree angled rigid ladder which provides permanent access to a roof hatch of up to 2440mm.