Roofing jacks can provide a stable working environment for a roofing contractor, but only if they are utilized correctly.

Roofer Safety

There are two ends to a roof jack, which allow it to fit snuggly beneath the shingles of the roof and then offer a sturdy support for a plank. Roofers can use the plank as a platform to stand upon. Failing to install them correctly, however, can lead to serious injury, so be sure that you read the manufacturer’s instructions and consider the following.

Roof Jack Installation Tips

The first thing to understand are the two ends of the jack. The flat end is that which will be fit beneath the shingles. The bent end holds the board or plank. Generally, a good placement will be around the fourth or fifth course with nails going into the overlap area to ensure that they are not visible upon completion of the surface. Multiple jacks will be needed to properly support a plank. You can position the jacks at a good distance from each other, but not more than about 4ft apart so the board is supported along its length.

Roof Jack Removal

The stability of the plank is very handy as the job progresses because it reduces the risk of falls and once the project is complete, the jacks can be easily removed so the surface of the roof is clean and undisturbed. Simply tap the nails that held the jack deeper and the next row of shingles should disguise them. If done correctly, no one will ever know that the jacks were used.

Read more about installing roof jacks

Image: Returning the slate tiles / Groton School / CC BY 2.0