The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

RCIA Founder

RE: WALKING ON ROOFS?

Baltimore MD Roof Cleaning 410-482-4367 · guest

That particular roof had 4 other roofs attached to it and fresh paint on the walls. This is what caused us to go up on it. We have to make those calls, per job.

Roof Cleaning Missouri 417-230-8103 · Guest

I much prefer to walk a roof if possible, I feel its much faster ,I get better coverage and use less Love. If you have a fear of heights or not used to roofs I would say stay at the gutter line. But like Jeff said Wind will have its effects also.
I will walk up to an 8-12 pitch, unless it is wood shake. I have never cleaned barrel tile or any other tile to date so no feedback on those..

Dave

RCIA Founder

Roof Cleaning Missouri 417-230-8103 wrote:

I much prefer to walk a roof if possible, I feel its much faster ,I get better coverage and use less Love. If you have a fear of heights or not used to roofs I would say stay at the gutter line. But like Jeff said Wind will have its effects also.
I will walk up to an 8-12 pitch, unless it is wood shake. I have never cleaned barrel tile or any other tile to date so no feedback on those..

Dave

wE HAD A LOT OF WOOD SHAKE ROOFS IN sEATTLE, sorry about the caps.
You could go roof surfing real quick, if one lets loose. Of all roofs we clean, Metal is the very worst. I have had my feet go out from under me w/o any warning on a 4/12 pitch metal roof!

Roof Cleaning Memphis TN (901) 826-8370 · Guest

If you are going to get on a roof don't trust tennis shoes or boots. When I'm roofing a house I ALWAYS wear Cougar Paws. These boots cost $125.00 in Memphis. I can tell you where to get them if you PM me. They lace up and have a foam cushion sole. The sole Velcros to the bottom of the boot. Yes VERY securely. All you have to do is peel the old sole off and apply the new one. Buy replacement soles when you buy boots. Hope this saves someone fom a nasty spill. I can walk a 10/12 pitch roof in these.

Roof Cleaning Little Rock Arkansas · Guest

I have heard about the cougar paws before and have meant to try a pair.

We try our best to stay off the roof if we can but around here thats rarely possible.

jwilliam · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute Of America

I have some Cougar Paws size 13 with extra soles and carry bag, Helper had large feet but didn't cut it. The boots have been worn twice. Fair offer considered.

Roof Cleaning Cleveland (216) 323-0552 · Feb 2, 2011

Rodney, Have you walked a wet roof. I thought I read somewhere that they were not good wet. Let me know how they work out when you clean. They seam like they would be a great investment.

aaron61 · Guest

I was looking for info on shoes for roof walking.Right now I'm just using those cheapy restaraunt shoes from WalMart $25

aaron61 · Guest

just got this off the Cougar Paws website http://www.cougarpaws.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=CPWP&Category_Code=

Same great features as our popular Duraflex Boot, only better. This boot is seam sealed with a waterproof membrane guaranteed to keep the morning dew on the outside where it belongs. U.S. Patent No. 5,727,334. DO NOT USE ON WET, OILY, OR ICY SURFACES; SNOW; FROST; LOOSE DEBRIS; OR POWDER. DO NOT WEAR SHOES FOR EVERYDAY USE OR TRACK THROUGH MUD, WATER, ICE, OIL, SNOW, OR GRASSY SURFACES.

Seems kinda stupid to sell water proof boots that you can't use on wet surfaces?????

SEE OUR WORK HERE!!! · Guest

ACE wrote:

Rodney, Have you walked a wet roof. I thought I read somewhere that they were not good wet. Let me know how they work out when you clean. They seam like they would be a great investment.

Tom,

I use the Cougar Paws on all roof cleanings, just the fact that your walking on pads helps protect the roof. It doesn't matter if it's wet, they still grab. I wouldn't suggest walking around on a 10/12 pitch while they are wet. But they are great for roof cleaning. Just factor in extra pads-average 1 pad per 3-4 roofs at $15 a pair, the SH eats them up. They are also good for getting you to the peak on steep roofs to hook up your fall protection system if need be.

These are the ones we use and they are actually comfortable.

-- Edited by landisconstruction on Wednesday 2nd of February 2011 10:15:42 PM

Roof Cleaning Cleveland (216) 323-0552 · Feb 2, 2011

Barry, Thanks and great build pictures, I bet you can't wait to get out there and use it.

Roof Cleaning Memphis TN (901) 826-8370 · Guest

They HAVE to caution us not to use them on wet surfaces for liability reasons. Nevertheless, they do work. Just don't get a false sense of security. A shingle can always slide loose. Be CAREFUL up there guys.

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

I have not worn them on a roof, but from those who have I have heard that the SH will eat the glue that holds the pad together after a couple of roofs. And since the pads are fairly expensive it made the boot not worth the cost.

Again, not from experience, just what Ive heard from others.

Roof Cleaning Memphis TN (901) 826-8370 · Guest

The argument I would make is: How much is your safety worth? Try to start at one end and work your way back. Keeping your boots on untreated surface as much as possible. Just the thoughts of a newbie.LOL

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX · Guest

Rodney wrote:

The argument I would make is: How much is your safety worth? Try to start at one end and work your way back. Keeping your boots on untreated surface as much as possible. Just the thoughts of a newbie.LOL

Thats a valid point. A better solution would be that if you HAVE to walk the roof, then wear cheap walmart tennis shoes (about $11). Reason being is that they are made with cheap rubber soles and stick very well to the roof.

When I was on the roof I went through a pair about every 3 months. At the same time make sure you are harnessed and tied off so that if you do lose your footing you're still secure. Avoid nice boots like Redwings, they are made with nice hard rubber thats made to last but doesnt stick to the roof.

As for working the roof that way, 9 times out of 10 the roof will require a second or 3rd coat which means you HAVE to walk on treated roof.

SEE OUR WORK HERE!!! · Guest

Confident Roof Cleaning Houston TX wrote:

I have not worn them on a roof, but from those who have I have heard that the SH will eat the glue that holds the pad together after a couple of roofs. And since the pads are fairly expensive it made the boot not worth the cost.

Again, not from experience, just what Ive heard from others.

You can figure $4-$5 per roof for pad replacement. This is what I got out of them this past season. Also take in consideration pitch of roof, how long your actually on the roof, your spraying technique (do you walk all over area's that you sprayed, or try to keep off those area's). I think it's good to own a pair just in case you find yourself having to get on a steeper pitched roof, for what ever reason.

jwilliam · Premium Member Roof Cleaning Institute Of America

Those cougar paws are kind of like a piece of safety equiptment, you may not need them all the time but nice to have when you need them.

Roof Cleaning Memphis TN (901) 826-8370 · Guest

jwilliam wrote:

Those cougar paws are kind of like a piece of safety equiptment, you may not need them all the time but nice to have when you need them.

Soft Wash Wizard - Harrisburg, NC · Guest

My suggestion is safety first, second & third. Don't be cheap about your safety on the cost of shoes or pads. This is just another expense in doing business just like chemicals are important part of doing your job. My suggeston don't risk your safety or an employees safety over the cost of Cougar Paws. I have a pair along with my son has a pair so who ever must walk on any roof which we try very hard not to get on anyones roof we have the best grip as possible. So, we have our Cougar Paws for those rare times we can't spray from the ladder @ the gutter line or when we are not useing our articulating man lift.

Remember your workers comp rates are high enough now & will continue to go up if any accidents or claims against you. So either be safe & pay a little now or a lot of your profit dollars later.

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum "Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"

The Roof Cleaning Institute Of America Training & Certification Forum
"Find A Certified Roof Cleaner Directory"