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Roofing/Working on tile roofs Help - South County Roofing - Aliso Viejo

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Expert: Brian Atkins - 7/5/2009


Question
QUESTION: Hello Brian,

If I have to get up on the concrete tile roof and work on top of the roof (since we have solar heating for the pool up on the roof), what would be the best way to walk on them? I've read that I should not be walking on concrete tile roofs?

Sincerely,
Ben


South County Roofing
South County Roofing  
ANSWER: Good Morning Ben,

Walking on a tile roof can be a little dangerous.

First thing you need is a very good pair of shoes.  Make sure the rubber doesn't slip very easily.

As for walking you want to step on the very bottom edge of the tile (the last three inches#.  Keep your weight evenly distributed and try to prevent from putting all of your weight on one foot.  

Whatch out for dust, mold, or dirty tiles.  You should bring a small shop type broom with you (not a push broom).  You can use it to sweep that stuff off and make the tile more walkable.  

Sometimes you get a build up of dust and dirt and that can make the tile very slippery. You should test areas that look dirty by checking your footing and making sure you know weather you have show grip or not.

Brian

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Brian,

Thank you for your response.

Would you recommend putting down a thin sheet of plywood to spread the weight out? As for grip, maybe I could use some carpet and glue it to the bottom of the wood piece?

Ben


Answer
Good Morning Ben,

That would work.  

I have also seen people use a some sort of padding or flexible foam type of product to stand or kneel on.

I don't believe they make something specific for this purpose by some people get creative.

Just be very careful!

Brian

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Brian Atkins

Expertise

I can answer any question related to all type of roof repairs (especially tile roof repair and flat roof repair work). I can also answer most new roof or roofing related questions with the exception of questions in regards to single ply roofing (PVC) and standing seam or metal panel roofing. I have little or no experience with those applications.

Experience

I was first introduced to roofing by my father who was started his own roofing career in Orange County CA. By the time I was 10 years old I knew what most general roofing materials were and had some idea of their purpose. At the age of thirteen I started working during the summer for my Fathers roofing company Atkins Certified Custom Home Roofing. After graduating from La Quinta High School in 1988 I immediately began working full time as a journeyman roofer doing roof repair work and complete new roofs. My area of specialty and interests has always been on the roof repair side of the business. My Dad did an excellent job at teaching me the basics of roof repair. He showed me some of the techniques that were taught to him from old time roofers that took him under their belt when he was an apprentice. In 1992 my Dad signed for my first license and formed a partnership with me and I started my first roofing company in Irvine CA. This is where started to make my own niche in roofing by specializing in roof repair, dry rot repair, termite damage repair, and full roof restorations. In 1997 I took the CSLB testing and qualified for a license on my own and moved my roofing business location to Lake Forest, CA 92630. Currently I operate South County Roofing company serving the following areas of Orange County Anaheim, Anaheim Hills, Aliso Viejo, Buena Park, Brea, Cypress, Capistrano Beach, Costa Mesa, Corona Del Mar, Dana Point, El Toro, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Foothill Ranch, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Ladera Ranch, Laguna Beach, Lake Forest, Lemon Heights, Mission Viejo, Orange, Newport Beach, Newport Coast, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, Seal Beach, Silverado Canyon, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Tustin, Trabuco Canyon, Villa Park, Westminster, Yorba Linda

Education/Credentials
La Quinta High School 1988 Westminster, Ca 92683-7098

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