Originally Posted By: rwand This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Maybe Barry fell off a roof…
As to the by line No Excuse For Ground-Level Roof Inspections --Barry Stone
I disagree totally. Why would anyone put their life in jeoprady? Who is going to pay for an inspectors down time because of a fall? Who is going to cover for a dead inspector because he fell off a roof and feed his dependents? Does Barry also believe inspectors should walk steep pitched roofs? I don't think so , so why would he suggest walking roofs that are at least two storys?
If anyone is walking roofs that are not easily accessible from an 10 foot ladder are they following proper safety protocols by being tethered and wearing a full fall harness?
Sorry I think Barry is out in left field on this one! I use to go onto roofs most always. Not any longer. If I can't get onto a low slope roof with my fold up ladder, inspections are down from the ground with the assistance of binoculars. It is just not worth the risk.
What are the alternatives? Inspectors should be sure to have purchasers consult with vendor as to exact age. Use of binoculars. Checking attics for underside roof issues, disclosing that the roof was not walked, et ceteras.
But on the other hand I am interested in reading the article at the above link.
Raymond Wand
Alton, ON
-- The value of experience is not in seeing much,
but in seeing wisely. - Sir William Osler 1905
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Originally Posted By: away This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Raymond,
I am not sure if you got to read the article before the site went down. If not, he didn't say that ALL roofs should be walked, he just said that if it is safe and no damage (house or inspector) will result, that a roof should be walked.
He also said that eave level inspection, with moving a ladder to many points around the perimeter, was better than standing on the ground.
Now for that two story, 30' tall roof? I don't care how low the slope is, my rearend is staying safe on the ground with binoculars and a big disclaimer in my report to boot.
Originally Posted By: rwand This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Andrew no I didn’t get a chance to read the article. Fwiw, moving the ladder to every side of the house is time consuming, and ladder should be tied off to boot. Who has time do that and ensure ladder is level etc. I’ll take the risk by reporting on condition of roof from the ground, except roofs I am comfortable walking on that are easily accessible. I have had reports of inspectors carry second ladders onto first roof to gain access to second roof and so on. No way Jose.
I am with you. I stay on the ground. 
Cheers,
Raymond Wand
Alton, ON
-- The value of experience is not in seeing much,
but in seeing wisely. - Sir William Osler 1905
Originally Posted By: rcooke This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
away wrote:
Raymond,
I am not sure if you got to read the article before the site went down. If not, he didn't say that ALL roofs should be walked, he just said that if it is safe and no damage (house or inspector) will result, that a roof should be walked.
He also said that eave level inspection, with moving a ladder to many points around the perimeter, was better than standing on the ground.
Now for that two story, 30' tall roof? I don't care how low the slope is, my rearend is staying safe on the ground with binoculars and a big disclaimer in my report to boot.
Good one Andrew .
I did a roof like that a few weeks ago.
I have a 25 power spotting scope on a tripod.
I could see three sides but not the north .
It was Built on the side of a hill and lots of trees hid the North Three side almost new .
I went over 400 feet up the hill to see the north side .
WOW! It had not been done three years ago because it was still good .
My a$% would have been in a sling if I had missed that .
If I could not have seen the roof I again would have written that in my
report and said recommend that they further evaluation by a qualified person.
. No way would I go up thirty feet on uneven ground to boot.
Roy Cooke sr
Originally Posted By: rwand This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
War story…
When I was in the film business I was given the task of laying heavy lighting cable on a cedar shake roof of a restaurant (The Keg). It was night time and the roof was damp. Guess what I started to slide off. I got stopped just before the edge. Diapers would have been great.
As I get older I am more cautious of heights. That is why I could never be a rock climber or repell off high places. There is also the arguement that walking on a hot asphalt shingles or metal or wood, can cause damage. Who will pay for resulting damage. Last man on roof, last man in theory me thinks!
Cheers
Raymond Wand
Alton, ON
-- The value of experience is not in seeing much,
but in seeing wisely. - Sir William Osler 1905
Originally Posted By: jtroth This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I always try to walk the roof, carefully of course. There have been times that I have not due to safety. Wet steep roof and because is was too darn high three stories. Caution and safety is a goal. If I cannot walk the roof I view it the best I can with binoculars and from underneath in the attic.
Originally Posted By: dedwards This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I use a tried and true method and it has worked every time but once. If my “pucker factor” kicks in I do not go on the roof. The one time I ignored it, it almost got me killed. Went on a roof the had a relatively low pitch. Going up was fine, and I had to skirt around an arbor type feature to get to the main roof of the home. Everything was as they say “hunky dorey” until I tried to get back to the ladder. The ladder fully extended and had only a short portion showing above the roof edge. It was cool fall weather and the roof where I was trying to get back down from was in deep shade. It was just slippery enough for me to loose good footing. It was a hellava drop to the concrete and I could just see my skinny butt skating right past the ladder and going over the side. I ended up sitting down and scooting my butt across the roof to the ladder. Got down and made a mental note to just throw them drawers away after the inspection. The way I figure it…if it is acceptable to do any inspection from the ground or the roof edge with binoculars than it is acceptable to do it whenever I deem it unsafe. BTW, I have a pair of Vivitar binocs with a built in digital camera. Works like a charm and impresses the hell out of the client.
Originally Posted By: dedwards This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The vast majority of the time I find the hidden defects inside the attic anyway. Roof looks fine until I get in the attic and find the last roofer went ahead and put good shingles over rotted out wood or a hole using a piece of sheet metal and roofing bull to hold the shingle in place.
