While the team at Bridger Steel never recommends getting on your metal roof and walking around, sometimes situations occur where it is necessary. Whether you need to remove a fallen tree branch or inspect the area around your chimney, there may come a point in time where you need to actually get on your roof. Here are some tips to help you safely walk on your metal roof (only when absolutely necessary).
Yes, However…
While the answer is yes, you can walk on a metal roof, our team never recommends it. There are a lot of factors that come into play that deal with your own safety and protecting your roof from damages caused by walking around on it. However, we know that sometimes you have to in certain scenarios. So here are some tips for safely walking on your metal roof when you absolutely have to.
#1 Never Get on Your Roof Alone
Before you even think about getting on top of your roof, make sure you are not doing it alone. Always have another person close by in case of accidents. Plus, having an extra person to help balance your ladder or hand you tools is always a plus.
#2 Wear Soft, Rubber-Soled Shoes
The shoes you wear are crucial for keeping your roof intact and maintaining your own safety. Soft, rubber-soled shoes like sneakers are best to wear when walking on metal in order to get better grip and traction.
You should also be sure to check the bottoms of your shoes and clean out any mud, debris, or small gravel that could possibly scrape and damage your panels. Always double check for anything that could interfere with your shoe’s traction. We never recommend wearing open-toed shoes while working on your roof.
#3 Pick An Overcast Day
Plan the day you need to get on your metal roof around the weather. You NEVER want to get on your roof when there’s precipitation in the forecast because metal can get extremely slippy in rainy conditions. We also don’t recommend getting on your roof on a super sunny and hot day, because metal can get hot due to its reflective qualities. It’s best to choose a dry, overcast day without any threat of rain!
#4 Use Fall Protection
Any time you are ever getting on top of your roof, always protect yourself with fall equipment. This should include an OSHA approved safety ladder, harnesses, and other fall protection equipment. We also recommend using padded stabilizers for your ladder in order to better protect the paint or finish on your metal panels.
Make sure to follow all directions on how to properly wear your fall equipment, including making sure it fits tightly and all the buckles are in good, working condition. Don’t forget — your safety should be the absolute number one priority!
#5 Walk Slowly & Try to Avoid Stepping on Ribs, Laps, Etc.
If you must walk around on your metal roof, be sure to walk extremely slowly and carefully. Don’t rush around and risk losing your footing — simply take your time. When you are walking around on a roof, lean your body over the roof to help you maintain your balance. The steeper the incline on your roof is, the more helpful it will be to do this. You can also crouch down slightly to give you even more balance.
In general, try your best to walk closely to areas around the decking and avoid stepping on the ribs and laps of your metal panels. The decking in a roof is the boards that fill the spaces between a roof’s structural components (like joists and trusses). This is a more solid area to walk on and can decrease your chance of damaging the panels.
Final Tips
- Check with the manufacturer first — It’s always smart to check with your Bridger Steel Product Specialist for your specific panel’s recommended method of walking on (if there is one). They can help give you even more information and safety tips regarding your specific metal roof. Always check with them before moving forward.
- Be careful with tools — If you have to take any tools up onto your roof to fix an issue, just be extra cautious with them. It’s a good idea to opt for lightweight tools and use a tool belt to avoid dropping them and possibly causing damage to your panels.
- When in doubt, always call a professional — Whatever the reasoning is that you need to get on top of your roof, if you are ever doubting your abilities or you are not comfortable doing this, it’s always best to just call a professional in. There are a lot of companies that do cleaning, repairs, etc. so if you’re even a little unsure about your ability to walk on your roof, don’t risk your safety and just call a professional in.
As always, safety should be your absolute top priority if you ever need to walk on top of your metal roof. Follow all recommended safety precautions to help protect you and your panels.
If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to a Bridger Steel Product Specialist for more information. Contact us today with any of your metal roofing questions!