Edited to add:

Being on the roof does not bother me, as far as a fear of heights is concerned. I climb the oak in the front yard and am 15-20 feet up in it without any safety gear. I am on other sections of the roof with less pitch regularly, to clean gutters, trim branches, etc.

My physical ability is no issue. While I am 52, I am flexible (yoga), strong (weights) and have endurance (cycling). My balance is also very good (yoga, Bosu Ball and paddle boarding). I am physically active every day of the week.

Anchor points in the backyard are not an issue. There is a basketball court / pole that is very well cemented. And a pergola that easily weighs many hundreds of pounds more than I do, and is anchored to the ground.

Accessing the roof is no issue. I can do it from a ladder or go out the window, I have either option.

So the question is about a harness that will arrest a fall. Do I need experience to use one? If they are tricky and there is learning curve, then I abdandon the idea.

Original post:

My roof is fairly steep.



I suppose I could measure the angle if you really need it, but I figured the pic would do. I want to be able to get on this section of the roof for Christmas purposes. What is the best way to go about this?

I have seen those things roofers use that "stick" to the shingles. But I would need a couple to move around and they are $200 each.

I have rope, so my thought is to tie off to something in the backyard and tie the rope off to me. But I am not just going to run it through my belt loops, I need a harness and carabiner. Of which I know nothing about. Which harness and carabiner would you buy on Amazon for once a year use?

Of, if there is another suggestion for safely accessing this area, please let me know.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: holdem,

There is a ridge hook that attaches to the rungs of the ladder. It hooks on the other side of the roof. we used these all the time when I was roofing, amongst other things.

Ridge hook

If you have to ask the question..............
Please take that in the spirit it was given.

You don't. You pay someone who knows what they are doing and has the right training and equipment.

Dying falling off a roof isn't worth trying to save money.

Rent a towable boom lift - Link.

On the other hand, why put up landing lights if the reindeer can’t land there safely?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: trapper189,

My roof is 12/12 (45 degrees), and it's barely walkable.

Anything less than that, I'd probably walk it with a safety harness. You can buy a full kit at your local hardware store for $100 or so. Just the harness would be half of that.

Ideally you want to make sure that your length is such that it will catch you prior to going over the edge. Keep in mind the angle of your dangle will play into this.

quote:

Dying falling off a roof isn't worth trying to save money.

This is also true.

My dad fell off his roof and broke his leg. While he was in the ER waiting room he passed out. They thought he’d had a heart attack and he ended up in ICU.

He did save a couple hundred by not hiring somebody, though.

quote:

Originally posted by holdem:
Of, if there is another suggestion for safely accessing this area, please let me know.

I hire it out to a licensed, insured contractor that has the training and safety gear to do the job.

To put it in context:

I've been lifted off a boat by a crane and transferred onto the top deck of an offshore platform more than a 100' above the ocean. Prior to doing that I had training, was provided safety gear selected by professionals, and was trained how to use the safety gear.

I've walked on floating roof crude oil tanks that are 40 to 60 feet tall and there is tens of thousands of barrels of crude oil beneath my feet. In order to facilitate rescue in the event of emergency (e.g. fall unconscious from unexpected vapors), I was provided safety gear (e.g. climbing harness) selected by professional, trained in its use, and wore it while on the roof.

Sure, I could ask one of my coworkers who selects safety gear such as harnesses for a recommendation and then purchase it. However, I look at what happens if something goes wrong (e.g. loss of income, cost of ambulance and ER visit, etc). To me, installing Christmas lights myself and walking on the roof just isn't worth it so I either hire a contractor or select a different lighting strategy that doesn't involve the roof.

---

Ego is the anesthesia that deadens the pain of stupidity

DISCLAIMER: These are the author's own personal views and do not represent the views of the author's employer.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
You don't. You pay someone who knows what they are doing and has the right training and equipment.

Dying falling off a roof isn't worth trying to save money.

This, in spades. I came very very close to sliding off a similar roof years ago. It is not worth the risk.

My solution would be to tell the wife...."Sorry, no Christmas decorations are going there".

Have permanent LED lights installed so you never have to do this yearly

BOOM, done.

I thought that I was going to be the only one who would say "Don't do it," but it looks like a consensus. It's just not worth it.

My roof has a much milder slope than yours, and I have always chosen to pay somebody to clear the pine needles off the roof.

I managed to do this with a three foot fall; imagine what I could have done falling off a roof!

Had a friend that was working on a less steep roof when he fell and knocked his head on the concrete drive. He never regained consciousness and died a few weeks later. Hire a pro!

If there is firm, level and unobstructed ground or pavement under where you'll be working, rent a scissor lift and just put the decorations along the edges of the roof.

If you have to do it rope/safety line your self off to something heavier than you/immovable on the opposite side of the house. Couple buckets of concrete, tree, car etc.

That said I have found the best tools when I am doing this kind of work are ……… a pen and a checkbook.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
You don't. You pay someone who knows what they are doing and has the right training and equipment.

Dying falling off a roof isn't worth trying to save money.

My answer also.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
You don't. You pay someone who knows what they are doing and has the right training and equipment.

Dying falling off a roof isn't worth trying to save money.

Right answer.

Also, when selecting 'the man' be sure he has Workman's Comp insurance (or check your homeowner's policy and/or umbrella policy for liability coverage) to be sure you're not potentially personally on the hook if 'the man' meets up with Murphy's Law and winds up falling.

Rent a man lift.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
Rent a towable boom lift - Link.

On the other hand, why put up landing lights if the reindeer can’t land there safely?

Renting a lift is exactly what I would recommend, I've rented lifts a few times to cut down trees in my yard and they work great and allow you to do stuff safely high off the ground. If you have a sun belt in your area check them out, they have towable lifts and they will deliver.

That's a nope from me. I wouldn't do anything I can't reach from a 6 foot ladder.