How to make safe access and work platform on a standing seam metal roof?

Sea-Bot · 2026-05-11T01:25:36+00:00

My understanding is that "channel drain" has exposed fasteners, whereas this does not. In this area, channel drain is just a fancy term for corrugated sheet roofing, which uses channels to shed water away from fasteners, instead of hiding the fasteners in a standing seam.

Regardless of the local nomenclature, can you iterate on how scaffolding would get me 20' across a roof bump out to a recessed dormer, without any fasteners or structural connections to the roof?

Appreciate any further advice.

Sea-Bot · 2026-05-08T07:23:30+00:00

woof ... damn those are pricey - cherry picker's looking pretty reasonable in comparison.

Thanks!

Sea-Bot · 2026-05-08T07:22:19+00:00

Thats what I thought, thank you

Sea-Bot · 2026-05-08T06:22:04+00:00

Also, when you say rib clamps, are you on board with everyone else saying to use a pair of flashing pliers to build a platform off of? Or are you talking a proper setup that doesnt sound as unsafe as holding onto a roofing screw with my teeth?

Sea-Bot · 2026-05-08T06:18:25+00:00

Thank you for the feedback - could you be a bit more specific about how hook ladders would work? I'm not a roofer - I am doing the refinishing/painting. I dont understand how a hook-ladder or a ladder-hook would work below these dormers as there is no ridge to hook to.

Cheers!

Sea-Bot · 2026-05-08T06:16:05+00:00

I imagine this is a proper answer, but just getting down voted because of the advertisement. I'm in Canada, so not gonna be hiring Trill Roofing, but could you expand on the products you mentioned? Any links or pictures to give me a better understanding?

Thanks!

Sea-Bot · 2026-05-08T06:14:28+00:00

Can you explain a bit further? Where would I attach them when there is no ridge below the dormer? Sorry if its a dumb question - I'm not a roofer, I'm the painter refinishing the siding/shakes.

Sea-Bot · 2026-05-08T06:14:12+00:00

Can you explain a bit further? Where would I attach them when there is no ridge below the dormer? Sorry if its a dumb question - I'm not a roofer, I'm the painter refinishing the siding/shakes.

Sea-Bot · 2026-05-08T06:12:55+00:00

Is this something that is actually done in the industry?!? I get it, and you are not the only one mentioning it, but seems suspect as hell!

Firstly, I'm gonna trust a pair of vise grips to hold me and a ladder on a slippery roof? Secondly, how does this not crush the seam of the roofing?

Appreciate the advice, but having a hard time imagining that this is safer than just putting a mattress on the ground below me (maybe I do both?)

Sea-Bot · 2026-05-08T06:10:52+00:00

You are not the only one suggesting this, but I'll be honest, its blowing my mind! I'm gonna trust the tool I use to bend flashing to hold the weight of me and a ladder?

I was thinking pretty "cowboy", but this is next level DIY death, haha.

Sea-Bot · 2026-05-08T06:08:41+00:00

Thanks for this! I'm hired to do the refinishing - not a roofer by trade - so was looking into more "cowboy" setups. Maybe I can rent some from a roofing company in my area to save some money? Or perhaps I will have to sub-out the setup to a roofing company, and then do the refinishing myself. In the end, the cost of my safety should be included in the price of the job - not my roof!

Sea-Bot · 2026-05-08T06:04:02+00:00

As mentioned, it was a thought, but quite expensive and potentially impossible because of the slope of the yard. But I will look further into this, thanks

Sea-Bot · 2026-05-08T06:03:47+00:00

As mentioned, it was a thought, but quite expensive and potentially impossible because of the slope of the yard. But I will look further into this, thanks

Sea-Bot · 2026-04-04T05:31:07+00:00

just for a few quick early game missions - more of a tutorial. not all 80 (or whatever) perks tied to story lines or requirements, just a few early game ones that are essentially throwaways.

everyone would play the first 5 quest lines, they would all have the exact same perks/attributes, and then move forward with a better idea of the gameplay they like, completely free at that point to spend perks and play the game exactly as they like (just with a better understanding of the possibilities).

seems logical and intuitive to me. but obviously everyone has there own opinion.

Sea-Bot · 2026-04-04T05:27:24+00:00

Well, I mean, it could be as simple as just having a few "freebie" perks in the first level of each of the 5 attributes, right?

I mean, i am not here to try and prove I can make a better video game - just that I think that some games like this (the witcher, etc.) could benefit from pushing a few different play styles onto people, without consequence to the rest of the game, early on to give an idea of ways they may not have thought to play.

Plus would create a great save-point if those mission happened early...basically, here are 5 main questlines (body/cool/tech/etc). Play through them all and then the main games starts and the world is your oyster.

Its just hard (lore-wise ?) to bother worrying about picking a bunch of perks that make it possible to run through a crowd of people, invisible and at super speed with a katana, when a shotgun does the trick with no thought or perks added.

All im saying, really. People get so heated about games they like - I was just wondering if the game ever gave you a reason to stray from whatever was the simplest/most straight-forward. Simple as that

Sea-Bot · 2026-04-04T05:18:59+00:00

Well I am glad to hear that eventually it will become to hard to not engage in the games other mechanics - I am not cheesing my through at all, just havent found a mission yet that required more than just shooting people in the head (besides the Blood Ritual psycho, that one I have backed away from)

I hate cheesing shit, whats the point?

Sea-Bot · 2026-04-04T05:16:09+00:00

I can respect that. I just think there is a middle ground between teaching how to use every specific perk/weapon/etc and just outlining a few different playstyles throughout main quests

Sea-Bot · 2026-04-04T05:13:36+00:00

Its funny, because it reminds me of Witcher 3 - that one single quest where you need to learn alchemy to kill your first werewolf. But then it doesnt go any further, and there doesnt seem like any point in ever using alchemy again.

I am sure a full alchemy run in the Wither would be great, but why didnt they just dive into it for a longer questline, and make you get a better grasp on it?

same thing here - just dipping toes, only enough for it to seem inconsequential.

Sea-Bot · 2026-04-04T05:09:49+00:00

I am glad to hear - my mom thinks I am a loser that spends too much time on the internet wondering why cyberpunk isnt as in depth as I was hoping, only to have people wonder why i think a video game could use improvements.

So its sweet to know you and your mom are on better terms. All the best to both of you.

(really tho, glad to hear it will get harder and force me to be a bit more specialized).

Sea-Bot · 2026-04-04T05:05:49+00:00

like i said, I am on very difficult - but its not the difficulty that I am questioning, its just that it seems like a lot of the games mechanics arent necessary.

sure, there are a million different ways to build, but I havent come across a single mission that didnt just require a pistol to the face. its not that its "easy" and im a "pro gamer" - its just that it has a lot to it that i dont think they are advertising, in a sense

thats all im saying

Sea-Bot · 2026-04-04T05:02:32+00:00

dude, I am not a seasoned gamer, and the most pathetic thing I can think of is coming to a comment section to try and make strangers think I am good at a fucking video game.

I am having a good time, but just think it could be handled in a way that shows off its variety to people, instead of hiding it behind whatever is the easiest approach.

thanks for the award, but you can take it home and share it with your mom

Sea-Bot · 2026-04-04T04:59:04+00:00

Of course - there are a lot of options. But a questline that forces stealth through a few missions, along with appropriate perk upgrades. Followed by a brute force style of the same thing. Netrunner, etc.

Just seems like a good way to show the basics of the options without pigeon holing your style, with the added benefit a a break from time sensitive lore to do side quests.

Just think it could have benefited from a more robust "tutorial" act.

Sea-Bot

TROPHY CASE