Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Mar 27, 2008 10:22pm | #1

   When installing, I never walk ON it, always next to it using a chicken ladder until the last sheet. The chicken ladder has wool carpet pad glued to it. I use soft gum-rubber soled shoes but so thyue don't hur the finish and because they slip less when I do have to plant a foot on it.

   It is almost never necessary to have painters or others working over the metal with good planning, but if you are beyond that point, gluing pads to the ladders and using drop clothes just like any good painter does will protect the roof.

   Another option is a manlift to boom the painters out to where they need to be.

    

    

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2. 
   fingersandtoes | Mar 29, 2008 08:31pm | #2

   I use two interlocking  rubber mats such as you see in gyms. Somewhere safe to walk on but also to lay your tools. No matter how careful you are you will end up with some scratches. The worst I had were from the gutter installer who used a ladder with  metal standoffs. The meathead managed to put it up before I saw what he was up to. Most colours are easy to match with paint from the supplier, but it's a long way from the factory finish in terms of durability.

3. 
   davidmeiland | Mar 29, 2008 08:43pm | #3

   We sometimes have to install siding and trim above metal roofs, and also get the painters and others up there. My SOP is to install scaffolding up near the eaves and then lay a ladder section on the roof ON TOP OF strips of XPS foam. In some cases you can use a roof hook to get on a metal roof, but only if the ridge cap is not installed and you still need the foam under it. You can also pad your ladder as Piffin suggests, I see roofers do that with pipe insulation sometimes.

   I have found that some roofers are willing to install the first panel next to a dormer, then install the flashing, and then allow the carpenters to finish the siding, etc. If you coordinate carefully with your roofer you may be able to work without getting on the roofing itself. Others want to roof the whole job and leave, and I don't blame them.

   We have been installing metal roofing lately that seems incredibly easy to scratch. As careful as we can be, and yet we have nicked it in a few places. It's worse than other brands I have handled. The color layer comes off leaving the white undercoat showing. It doesn't easily scratch right down to the steel. We are using a dark brown panel and the white showing thru is murder. I have used a brown Sharpie to touch it up.