roof pitch gauge

[John Dirks Jr]

Do any of you measure roof pitch when doing inspections? I could see it being useful when determining if 3 tab composite shingles are being used on to low of a pitch.

I know it can be done with a tape measure and a level but what do you think about this kind of tool? This one will also measure the pitch from under the eave.

Do they have these things at Home Depot?

http://roofgenius.com/roofangle.htm

[Bob White]

I hope I'm OK with Owens corning on this:

Print the following file.

Cut it out and laminate it, or copy it to a transparancy.

Roof pitch gauge:

Download Attachment: pitchind.pdf

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[Ed Ochs]

I got this at one of the big box stores

ie. Home Depot/Menards type

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[Ms Simpson]

Do any of you measure roof pitch when doing inspections? I could see it being useful when determining if 3 tab composite shingles are being used on to low of a pitch.

I know it can be done with a tape measure and a level but what do you think about this kind of tool? This one will also measure the pitch from under the eave.

Do they have these things at Home Depot?

http://roofgenius.com/roofangle.htm

[Ms Simpson]

Depending on how crazy you want to get, there are gadgets that will measure from on top of the roof, from the heel, or you can order a Pitch Finder for about $6.00 online. Haageducation.com sells one, Illinois Lumber & Material has another (www.ilmda.com) I'm sure you can find others. They're plastic see-through cards with the pitch marked. You stand back and line up the roof to get an approximate angle. Good for quick and dirty.

[Richard Moore]

I made my own when I started to measure pitches from the ground. I stopped using it fairly quickly as I found that I could eyeball a pitch accurately enough for the report in most cases. It's here if anyone wants it (works best on gable roofs).

Download Attachment: pitchgauge.pdf

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I do use the tape and rule method for taking photos of the (relatively rare) low slope/shingle issues.

Click to Enlarge

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[gtblum]

I have one. It's called a framing square

[SonOfSwamp]

I just measured a unit of the siding and/or brick, and counted up the X-inches drop of the roof, ridge to eave. Did the math in my head and that was that.

I did that from the ground, because, don't you know, I just wasn't going to risk my skeleton.

WJ

[Brandon Whitmore]

I use mine (from Home Depot) to check the slope of the roof more often to find out if the B vent is extended high enough, than to check for adequate slope for shingles.

The one in Ed's photo is similar to the one I use.

[Steven Hockstein]

I use this:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/ ... _200276974

[StevenT]

I use this. I find, rather than holding it up to the roof and looking through it. I take a picture of the peak, and back at my office, I check the pitch. The sell very similar ones at HD.

Click to Enlarge

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[RobC]

I measure roof pitch if I suspect shingles have been installed on a less than 4:12 slope. I like to keep things simple, this is what I carry in my binder and its FREE. The amusement factor is priceless.

Download Attachment: IKOPocketPitchfinder.jpg

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Here is the other side if you want to calculate coverage.

Download Attachment: IKOPocketPitchfinder2.jpg

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Inside complex roof slopes I'll use a tape and level.

[StevenT]

Hey Rob,

That's pretty cool. I bet if you cut a slot in one end, you could use it to open bottle caps.

[RobC]

lol,

I've just ordered one made of plastic and I'm guarding it with my life. My last one disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

[StevenT]

[:-thumbu]

[gwrichardson]

You can buy a pitch guage at Home Depot.

The minimum slope for asphalt shingles is 2:12.

Installing shingles on slopes between 2:12 and 4:12 require 2 plying the felt. That might be a little hard to visually check, but if you're doing destructive testing, you would want the pitch guage to check the slope.

(Commercial link removed by moderator)

[In-Depth]

I have a level app for my smartphone that I use occasionally that shows slope/pitch.

Jim

[bruce816]

I got this at one of the big box stores

ie. Home Depot/Menards type

Image Insert:

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Had this same one back when I was in construction. Threw it in my inspection kit and now I take it with me all the time. I generally use it on low-slope applications (similar to my forehead).