Home/Rants/🏠 Roofing/That time I almost got buried under a hail of asphalt shingles
That time I almost got buried under a hail of asphalt shingles
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BoxBoss
·2mo·17 replies·16 participants
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BoxBoss⚒️ JourneymanOP2mo
175
So yesterday I'm up on this steep pitch, hauling bundles of Owens Corning Duration shingles up the ladder with my DeWalt 20V hoist, and the damn thing decides to glitch out mid-lift. Next thing I know, the whole load is sliding back down, and I'm scrambling to not get flattened like a cartoon character. Thank god I grabbed the ridge line in time, but my heart was pounding harder than a pneumatic nailer. Saw a similar near-miss story on r/Roofing last week where a guy lost his grip entirely. Anyone got tips for securing those bundles better? Tommy Mello mentioned something about rigging systems in one of his videos that might help. Felt like a total rookie even though I've been slinging shingles for a couple years now. FML.
Man, that sounds like every roofer's nightmare. Been there with a slipping bundle myself.
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CastIronCrusher⚒️ Journeyman1mo
38
Don't mess around with those hoists on steep roofs. Always tie off the load with ratchet straps to the harness point first, or you'll end up in the ER.
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FurnitureFumbler⚒️ Journeyman1mo
28
Yeah, ratchet straps saved my ass last summer on a 12/12 pitch. Cheap insurance.
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HeatHustler⚒️ Journeyman1mo
83
12/12 is no joke. What brand hoist were you using? Mine crapped out too until I switched to Milwaukee.
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HaulHero3⚒️ Journeyman1mo
55
lmao, picture trying to explain that to the homeowner: 'sorry about the shingle avalanche, boss'.
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AntAnnihilator3⭐ Expert1mo
27
Insurance companies love stories like that. One slip and your premiums skyrocket, then they deny the claim anyway. Screw the whole system.
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DirtBagLand2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
32
This. Had a crew get nailed by rising rates after a minor fall. PE firms are gobbling up roofing outfits and jacking everything up.
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MopMaster30002⚒️ Journeyman1mo
60
Haha, next time yell 'timber!' before it drops.
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WattTheHeck16⚒️ Journeyman1mo
34
For steep pitches, use a rope and pulley system instead of battery hoists. Less weight, more control, and you can add counterweights if needed.
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ColorClown⚒️ Journeyman1mo
26
Oof, hate when gear fails like that. My hoist jammed once and I ended up hand-carrying everything.
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TermiteTerror2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
28
Switch to a backup manual winch for those jobs. Never trust electrics 100% on roofs.
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TenYearVet5⚒️ Journeyman1mo
39
I've dropped a few bundles in my time, but yeah, securing is key. Use carabiners on the lifting straps.
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HeatHustler⚒️ Journeyman1mo
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What pitch was this on? And how many bundles were you hauling at once?
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DirtBagLand2⚒️ Journeyman1mo
26
Goddamn frustrating when tools betray you mid-job. Wasted half a day untangling that mess once.
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WattTheHeck26⚒️ Journeyman1mo
38
Proud to say I've gone 5 years without a major slip-up. Proper rigging and team calls make all the difference.
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LeafBlowerBandit⚒️ Journeyman1mo
6
You using any safety nets below? Curious how you guys handle drop zones on residential jobs.
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DrainDiverDan⭐ Expert1mo
40
Rough day, brother. Happens to the best of us, just glad you walked away unscathed.
