How To Set Up A Ladder On A Roof

Climbing the roof using a ladder is a tricky activity and there are several cases of people getting injured as a result of poor ladder climbing in the united states alone.

How to set up a ladder on a roof. Always make sure to use ladder pads and or ladder pivots. Rope illustration by ian worpole. Look for overhead power lines before handling a ladder. Check rope and pulley to make sure they show no signs of wear or damage.

Using a ladder can be scary on the flattest surface but using one on uneven ground can be dangerous. Raise the ladder s fly section by pulling the rope until the top three rungs or 3 feet are extending above the edge of the roof. Slip a 2x4 into a gutter to keep it from being crushed by the ladder. Use a harness when necessary.

Climbing on a roof requires a lot of attention to your surroundings and to basic roof and ladder safety to prevent a fall or serious injury. Be sure not to opt for the most inexpensive telescopic roof ladder and check out user reviews thoroughly before purchasing because some may pinch your fingers when folding away. Proper extension illustration by ian worpole. When setting up a ladder on asphalt roofs it s important to set it up properly so that you don t damage the roof.

Gutter support illustration by ian worpole. A telescoping extension ladder collapses rather than sliding a parallel set of rungs behind the first allowing for easy storage. Hook the fly locks over two ladder rungs to secure the section. Have a friend spot and support ladder.

Extend ladder 3 feet above any surface that you re climbing onto. Options exist to make a ladder work on a slope ranging from ladder leveling feet to the construction of a temporary work platform but regardless of method you must be careful.