How To Measure Roof Pitch With A Speed Square

A distance of 7 inches 18 cm for example would mean your roof has a pitch of 7 in 12.

How to measure roof pitch with a speed square.

Measure with a speed square a speed square and level can be used to easily find the pitch of a roof. Place the pivot point against the shingles. Let s say it is equal to 1 5 m. To find the squares divide the overall roof area by 100 and then round up.

Use a level and a pencil to make a plumb vertical line on one face of an existing rafter. If you need to find the pitch of an existing roof all you need is a level and a tape measure. Measure the run length it is the horizontal distance between the roof ridge and the wall of the building. For instance if the roof is 1550 square feet then it is 16 squares.

This is simply 100 square feet of roof. A square simply refers to a 10 x 10 square of roofing. Measure the rise of your roof. Placing a ladder near the roof you will put a level a foot or so up on the roof hold it level and measure from the 12 inch mark straight down.

A 14 in 36 cm difference for example indicates a pitch of 7 in 18 cm. Set the level on the edge of the speed square as shown below then place the heel of the speed square on a rafter or gable edge of the roof. Place the level horizontally along the rafter until it contacts the roof sheathing avoiding any protruding roof nails. Place the pivot point on the square against the bottom of the rafter and align the 90 degree angle side of the square with the pencil mark.

Let s assume it is equal to 6 m. Working from the interior side of the roof you ll need access to a roof rafter to measure the pitch. How to measure roof pitch with a speed square. Then place a torpedo level on the fat base of the rafter square and adjust the square until the level is level.

With a torpedo level and a speed square you can pretty accurately gauge the pitch of any roof with a gable end photo 1.