Roof jack add a stratum of safety to any roof employment — read how to install them right .
With steep slopes and irregular luck , working on a roof can be dangerous and ask condom precautions . A ceiling jack is a plank that creates a flat , stable aerofoil for you to stand on and is all important for cap work . Roof jacks are idealistic for many kinds of roofing projects as they ’re prosperous to set up and remove . Below , we show you how to build one that will support your weight while you form .
Step 1: Attach Jack
Roof jacks allow for a static surface to work , increase safety and stimulate it easier to apply roofing . Ideally , locate a rafter below the sheathing . ( you could usually find sheathing nail , which are force into raftsman through the underlayment . ) Attach a shit by driving two 16d nail ( never roofing nail ) into a baulk .
Step 2: Secure Plank
Slip whichever size of it plug-in — usually a 2x8 - inch or 2x10 - inch — will fit snugly into the jacks . The plank should beetle the jacks by about 6 inch on each side . Secure the plank to the jackass as shown to prevent the board from tipping over .
Step 3: Remove Jack
To remove a jack when you ’re done with it , tap up with a hammer to disengage the jack from the nail . To drive the nails in so they do n’t poke through the roofing , slip a matt pry bar under the shingle and over the nailhead and impound the nail down . Or , if the tab is flexible enough , lift it as you nail .
Combine Roof Jacks with a Roofing Ladder
To unfold your reach from roof jackass , build a rocky ladder out of 2x4s and 1x4s . Rest the ladder against the roof jack plank . check that that the run can not slide under the board .
Frequently Asked Questions
While roofs incline to last up to 25 year , most roof jacks last about 5 to 15 years look on the textile , proper initiation , and even vulnerability to knockout weather or climate zona .
The most coarse fabric for cap tar are shaping or metal , due to their durability , toll , and weather condition resistance . The type of roof jacks you ’d require will calculate on the sizing of the project , budget , and if you ’re using standard - material ceiling jacks or special ones ( such as galvanized sword ) .
Leaking , water or weight unit damage , and extremely disintegrated materials are clean signs . It ’s important , though , that you keep up with maintenance and seasonable renewal to avoid further damage to the roof jacks or the existent roof , increase mending costs overall .




