Maybe a daft question - can I lean a ladder against a tiled dormer?

[volks]

So the wind has pulled the gutter off the top of my dormer. It's clad in overlapping tiles, can I safely lean the ladder against the tiles to get up there, or will the downward angle of the ladder on the tiles cause it to pull the hanging tiles off the dormer wall?

I'd prefer to avoid causing more damage where possible!

 

[noseall]

So the wind has pulled the gutter off the top of my dormer. It's clad in overlapping tiles, can I safely lean the ladder against the tiles to get up there, or will the downward angle of the ladder on the tiles cause it to pull the hanging tiles off the dormer wall?

I'd prefer to avoid causing more damage where possible!

I'd be cautious placing a ladder against the TH. You be better leaning it against the roof and work off the top. Take a piece of 4"x 2" up with you , for the decent. Take it out of the gutter as you come down.

Another flat roof without a drip edge...

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Hard to tell but looks like a ladder would be the wrong angle leaning against the vertical tiles, what about a ladder stand off against the fascia? Still might be the wrong angle.

 

[volks]

Thanks all. Yeah it's awkward to get to, might have to place the brackets then stand on the flat roof and hang the gutter from above.

Noseall, what do you mean by lack of a drip edge? I bought the home with the dormer, never really clocked a problem other than the gutter being too far out from the edge

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

The felt roof should overhang the gutter:

 

[volks]

Ah I see. Thanks for the info, not easy to rectify!

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

I shouldn't worry, it's been OK (presumably) all this time.

 

[aveatry]

How does that even work as a gutter it looks like the roof ends before it reaches the gutter - could the OP fix this by slotting a cut down piece of eves tray slipped under the felt.

 

[aveatry]

For doing the job I would just climb out of the window and stand on the roof, how high is the dormer on the outside - 5f maybe, I know the roof slopes away from you as well. if you have some sponge you can stick it to a plank with some slats on it for your own grip and the sponge will grip the worn tiles so it will not slide off.

 

[volks]

Would standing on the roof tiles beneath be safe? Wouldn't they risk slipping under weight, or worse, cracking?

I do wonder how the gutter was fitted, it looks like the old one hung too far out from the edge - but not sure I can get shorter brackets to make it sit closer to the roof edge or not.

 

[aveatry]

Would standing on the roof tiles beneath be safe? Wouldn't they risk slipping under weight, or worse, cracking?

I do wonder how the gutter was fitted, it looks like the old one hung too far out from the edge - but not sure I can get shorter brackets to make it sit closer to the roof edge or not.

If you do what I said it will spread the weight and they should not slip as they have tabs that hook over battens.

 

[aveatry]

This is an eves tray I am wondering if you cut it down at the yellow lines you would than have a kick out length of plastic they you can push up behind the folded over felt to direct the water into the gutter. - use it the other way up from the picture.
Might have to get one and play with it. Or just an added strip of felt I suppose.

 

[ajstoneservices]

What is that cable attached to the dormer. Hopefully it is BT's

Don't be leaning a ladder against the hung tiles as one/some will break. You are then in a world of pain.

Lifting a few tiles below the window then standing on the battens while refitting the brackets/guttering is likely to see your arse hit the floor. You won't bounce.

If I were replacing that gutter I would lift some tiles up on the third row to the righthand side of the dormer(be aware of the cable) and refit the gutter from the lid of the dormer.

 

[aveatry]

If I were replacing that gutter I would lift some tiles up on the third row to the righthand side of the dormer(be aware of the cable) and refit the gutter from the lid of the dormer.

Trying to lift and remove tiles may end up in braking them easily than just standing on them. Especially if they are nailed on. Also I had some ridge tiles re set and the idiot roofers put their size 9 toes through the felt in places.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Were it me tackling it....

I would be using a ladder stand-off, to help with the ladder angle, and lashing a peace of timber to the stand-off, plus something soft, like old rags to spread the load. The ladder would still be at an unsafe angle, so I would also be lashing the bottom of the ladder tightly, with ropes, to prevent it slipping.