Title of Question:
How to work on a steep pitched roof.
Name:Steve City: Newport, NC
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| Question: I need to replace/repair some flashing around a vent chimney in my roof. My problem is I have a 2-story home with a steep pitch. I haven't measured it yet but it is at least a 12/12 pitch and maybe steeper. How do you work on such a steep roof? Once you get on the roof, can you nail 2x4's into the roof to stand against? Or will this leave holes in your roof that will leak? Any help appreciated. |
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| Answer: This is a tricky home improvement project, as there are serious safety concerns. If you are determined to do this yourself, make sure your ladder is secure and you are wearing the right clothing and work boots. Also, have someone around on the ground if you need help. You can nail 2 by 6 planks to the roof framing and then caulk the nail holes when you are done. There also are angled seat boards you can use to sit on while working. When in doubt with a steep roof, however, get a few prices from roofers to see if it's really worth the risk. |
| Answer: Hi Steve! What you need are roof jacks, or roofing brackets. These are steel brackets that hold the 2x4s in place. To install them, you'll complete several rows of shingles, then nail the jacks in place. The nails will be just above the top line of shingles you have completed. Make sure that the nails are pounded in very firmly, all the way into the rafters underlying the roof deck. They need to support your body weight, so it's essential that they are properly installed. Next, lay your 2x4 across the jacks and continue laying the shingles, adding more roof jacks as you go so that you are working at a (relatively) comfortable angle. Roof jacks are made so that when you have finished your shingling, you can slide them upward to disengage them from the nails you used to pound them into place. Don't remove the nails. They will be covered by the line of shingles that you layed immediately above the roofing jacks, leaving you with a water-tight roof that won't show any nails or nail holes. |
| Answer: Oops! I reread your question and noticed that you were talking flashing while I was talking shingles. The same thing holds true for the roof jacks in your situation--you just will have to gently lift up the edges of the shingles to get under them to pound in your nails for the roof jacks. |
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