Carpenter Nathan Gilbert shows host Kevin O’Connor one of his favorite roofing tools for safely standing, kneeling, or sitting on an asphalt roof.
Dealing with Roof Slopes is Tough
Carpenter Nathan Gilbert knows what it’s like to work on steep roofs. In many cases, it’s hard to stand, kneel, or sit on the roof safely and comfortably. It’s also tough to put tools down and not have them slide off the roof. But now, there’s a solution.
The Roofing Wedge—Nathan’s Favorite Roofing Tool
One of Nathan’s favorite roofing tools is the roofing wedge (Pitch Hopper, by name). This wedge creates a flat, level surface that is ideal for roofers to use for standing, sitting, or kneeling, and it can even hold tools in place.
A roofing wedge is a relatively simple idea, but it’s also ingenious. This tool features three sides: two roof pitches (one at 12:12 and the other at 9:12), and a thick foam surface. The foam is placed on the surface of the roof where it can grab the gritty asphalt surfaces. With the right orientation chosen, a flat, comfortable, non-slip surface is formed for standing or kneeling. The tool is available in two- and three-foot wide sections, and it’s lightweight enough to be used on any roof.
Safety is Still Important
Even though this roofing wedge creates a safer, more comfortable environment, it’s not considered a safety device and doesn’t take the place of a harness. Be sure to wear fall protection with the roofing wedge. It’s also important to note that this tool cannot be used on metal, clay, or tile roofs.
Resources
Nathan demonstrated the uses of a roof wedge from Pitch Hopper.
