what is the safest way to climb a roof?

Joe · 2007-06-10T18:02:48+00:00

I have a leak in my Cape Cod style house and need to check theflashing around the chimney and dormers. I don't have any experienceclimbing roofs but am wary that a loss of balance will find me eatingdirt and looking at white coats when I wake up. Should I hammer stepsinto the roof? I notice that's what roofers do but I don't want tocompromise the waterproof integrity of the roof. I could also lassothe chimney and tie it around my waist. Just wondering if there is asimple safety measure out there that homeowners know that I don't.