I have a job coming up and it’s a clay tile roof( maybe concrete tile ) and was wondering if there is a safe way to walk on this. I only weigh about 130 pounds but still want to be careful. Is it even safe? It’s not that bad of a pitch and is easily accessed. I am used to walking on composite shingles but since I moved to Las Vegas I will be seeing more clay tile/concrete tile.
Thanks for your suggestions.
We have Spanish clay tile - I assume it’s the same. They break very easily, especially if they haven’t been under/backfilled (which most haven’t). I always say I can’t be responsible for cracked tiles & it’s their responsibilty for repair.
If the pitch isn’t too steep, you can take long pallet boards & lay them out in front of you as you walk. Always span 2 tiles at a time with your foot spreading the weight even on the boards. Use a basic harness with some climbing rope. You can even get fancy & make the board level with an added square pole at the steep end screwed in.
Some of the roofs may be just to steep to comtemplate & the boards will slip down if you step on them - if it doesn’t feel safe, don’t do it.
I hate to tell you this, but the answer to your question is there is no safe way. These archetects have a bad habit of doing this to us. If they insist on clay tiles, they ought to have the windows open so we can do them from the inside. Don’t walk on them. They’re as delicate as crackers and they will come loose and down you go. Maybe somehow you can use a wfp or an alternative method, but DO NOT WALK ON THEM1
If they are dry-layed don’t bother walking on them either! We have houses that use rocks & boulders to keep the tiles in place.
Unfortunately Matt these windows are fixed picture windows, one being a transom above a picture window. I could use extension poles but it would be hard since the windows are set back about 15 feet in and I am a stickler for doing nose to glass. I would rather play it safe and not walk on it. I don’t have a water fed pole which would work. O well it’s only 3 windows. Thanks guys.
P.s. the screen name sgmg09 is my sister’s screen name but same company-See Clear Window Cleaning. 
I don’t know, but I walk those roofs all the time here and never had a problem. Always low pitched ones, with and without filling, just step lightly on them to see how they react. But is really a personal choice and if YOU don’t feel safe doing it, just don’t do it.
some guys fills bags up with sand to distribute/cushion the weight more evenly.
Out here we don’t have a lot of spanish tile, most people just got concrete barrel tile.
I hate spanish tile and always check to see if the homeowner has extra tile laying around in storage and make sure to give clear expectations and agree on something.
