Most of the time when we want to get onto our roofs, it’s as simple as grabbing the ladder and propping it up against the house. This is a quick and effective way to help us get up there and get the issue fixed. But if you do not have a ladder around and you can’t find a neighbor who can lend you one, you may need to find a different way to reach the roof.
So let’s take a look at some of the different options that you can choose when you need to inspect your roof even when you do not have a ladder.
Related: Best Ladders for Homeowners (Reviews and Buyers Guide)
How To Get On a Roof Without A Ladder
While a ladder is probably the best way to access your roof and to really see what is going on up there, it might not always be an available option. So if you find yourself in a position where you don’t have access to a ladder, here are some of the methods that you can use to get onto a roof without a trusty ladder.
Climb Up From a Fence
As a new homeowner, before I bought a ladder, the easiest way for me to get onto my roof without a ladder was to simply climb onto the top of the fence. From here I could easily hoist myself up onto the roof.
Of course, this isn’t a viable option for everyone. It depends how low the roof line is as well as where the fence is positioned next to the house.
Also, getting back down can be a bit of a tricky move. So be very, very careful with this option.
Climb Over from a Tree
Taking advantage of a nearby tree is another good option. If you have a tree that is close to the house and is large enough, then this may be one of the best options to use. Do not climb up to highest branches, but this one can at least get you higher and closer to the roof so you have a better chance of checking things out.
Not only does climbing the tree give you visual access to the roof, but if close enough, you might be able to use the tree to get completely up onto the roof. This will depend on where the tree is located compared to the roof of your home and how athletic you are. If there is a good deal of distances between the roof and the tree, then you will not be able to get on the actual roof at all.
Consider Renting a Ladder
I think we can all agree that the best way to get onto the roof is to have a ladder. If something is stuck way up high or you are not able to use some of the other options, then getting a ladder is one of the best options. The good news is that you can still get one, even if you do not currently own one and you do not want to spend the money to get it.
Rather than purchasing a ladder, visit your local hardware store. They often have different ladders that you are able to rent for a few dollars and you can use that to get the job done. Simply rent it for an hour or two to get up on the roof, get your work done, and take it back. This gets you exactly what you need, without all the cost, and you do not need to worry about storing the ladder in your home once you are done since it goes right back!
Use Binoculars To Visually Inspect
If you just want to get a quick look at the roof to see if there is anything stuck on the top of it or if there is any major damage to it, then using a pair of binoculars may be able to get you the results without forcing you to find or rent a ladder and climb all the way up it.
With a pair of binoculars, you can get a close look at the roof and how it is doing from a variety of angles.
Make sure that you pick a good pair of binoculars to help you get the work done. They can’t be a cheap version or you will find it is hard to see what you want from the ground. A sharp pair, one that can see well from the ground and will see at different angles will be the best for you to choose. Keep in mind that you may need to walk around the home a few different times to bring in new angles to see the whole condition of the roof.
Use Your Drone
Another way to take a look at the whole roof is to use a drone with a camera. This will make life a little bit easier because you can stay on the ground without having to worry about missing out on something. Make sure that you are good with using the drone before you try to use it. This will ensure that it is going to last and will be able to get into all of the little parts of the roof so you can see what is wrong.
With a camera on the drone, it will be just like you are up on the roof. And this one is more beneficial than you can see with the binoculars because you can get a little bit closer and kind of move around the home all from the same location. Binoculars can do a lot of work when it comes to checking out the roof and making sure you can see what is going on. But when it comes to the small nooks and crannies of the roof, you will find that flying a drone with a high quality camera can go a long way in inspecting your roof from the ground.
Hire a Professional Do the Work For You
If you really need to get up on the roof and none of the options mentioned in this article are going to work in your situation, then it is time to bring in the professionals to do the work for you.
Hiring a handyman is probably the easiest and most cost effective way. They can bring their own ladder and other tools that’ll be needed to make any repairs while up there.
A professional can be one of the best bets to help you improve the roof and keep it in good shape. Sometimes you will just need to get a few shingles replaced to keep it looking good and other times you may need to get a larger section of the roof done. If you are good at keeping up with some of the maintenance of your roof, you will not need to replace the whole roof at once and the costs will ultimately be much, much lower.
Taking Care of Your Roof
If you would like the roof on your home to last a long time, then you need to check it on a regular basis.
While using a ladder is often the best method to help you get on the roof and inspect how the shingles and other parts are working, you may not always have access to one. Using some of the tips above to help take care of the roof and check it out can make a world of difference as well and can keep your whole home safe.
