\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. You also don’t want to work more than four feet to either side of the anchor. In terms of angles, a roof would be considered steep-sloped if it rises at an angle of 18 o or more — that would be equivalent to about a 4/12 roof pitch. Avoid walking on a tile roof unless you need to. You can easily slip and fall if the roof isn’t completely dry and clean. Try to be aware of any leaks so you can prepare a tarp before it starts raining, or purchase a roof rake to remove your snow from the ground. Once tiles get wet, they become even slicker and could cause you to slip and fall. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Avoid working on a steel roof in wet or cold conditions. For your own safety, it’s important to know how to walk on a metal roof. Cleaning the debris off your roof or making minor repairs is considered to be common practice for many handy homeowners. If it can move down by hand easily I would not walk on it. For example, if you have a 16 ft (4.9 m) ladder, you would place its base 4 feet (1.2 m) feet away from your home. If your roof is flat, it’s probably pretty safe to walk on (given that it is structurally sound), but if it is steeply pitched, you should leave any repairs to a professional. Warning: Avoid standing on the top 2 rungs of the ladder since you could easily lose your balance and cause it to fall. You'll also often find me in my workshop working on some new project! In my spare time, I'm either fishing, playing the guitar, or spending quality time with my beloved wife. Whether a structure has an asphalt shingle, metal, clay or concrete tile roof, walking on the roof for seasonal inspections and cleanings is inevitable. The top of the ladder should extend at least three feet above the edge of the roof. To safely walk on your roof, you need to understand the roof type, have the right shoes, roof-top support equipment and ensure the conditions are right. Roof ladders should be used on roof pitches over 25 degrees. Don’t walk on any damaged tiles and keep your eyes peeled for any signs of chips, cracks or splits. Don’t wear open-toed shoes like sandals or flip-flops since they don’t offer protection if you accidentally slip or fall down. Never get on your roof while it’s wet since it increases the likelihood that you’ll fall down. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Healthyhandyman is reader-supported. Whenever possible, it’s always wise to have a person at the foot of the ladder to hold it while someone is on it. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Do not attempt to walk on these roofs on any pitch ! This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. I have a great passion for writing about everything related to tools, home improvement, and DIY. Frost, snow or ice on the roof. All work on roofs is highly dangerous, even if a job only takes a few minutes. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Wait until you have nice weather before safely climbing onto your roof. Never get on your roof while it’s wet since it will be slippery and you could fall down. You want to walk on that overlapping part. Though it is okay to wear your everyday tennis shoes or work boots if that’s all you have, there are better options. 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