TOPIC: Roof Walking

Hello,

Excuse me if I am repeating a past topic.
Being new to Home inspecting i have been asking contractors i know questions about different areas of inspections.I recently spoke with a roofer I know and the topic of walking on roofs came up.He explained to me that in his contract it states that if anyone walks on the new roof it could void his warrenty on the installation and possibly the warrenty on the roof covering(s).
I was surprised by this statement and asked him why.He explained that roofs can be damaged by walking on them and only a qualified roofer with safety equipment should walk on a roof.He also so politely reminded me that my 250 lbs  : could result in causing damage to the roof or its covering not to mention if the roof has a soft or weak spot that may fail when walked on and that he felt I would be responsible for repairing or replacing that roof.
I am not fond of heights and would prefer to alsways inspect any high roof either from the roof edge on a ladder or from the ground.But his opinion made me wonder what other Inspectors thought of this and your best practices when walking on a roof.
Thanks

I was a roofer in a past life, so I try to walk every one possible. Now in my area that is not possible from November to March due to snow load. Now, this warranty he is talking about is his company warranty I presume, which is usually a craftsmanship warranty. The shingle warranty itself would not be voided. Honestly it sounds like BS to me. Think about it. Say you did fall through a soft spot. He would say you are responsible because you fell through a soft spot on a roof that he installed, possibly incorrectly, in turn causing this situation? Sounds fishy to me. Sounds like a guy that doesn't want anyone coming behind him and verifying his work, but that's just me.

I walk any roof when it is safe to do so without damage to the roof system.  Here in california we have lot's of tile roofs.  I stay off them!  If it'a a wood shingle, shake, comp shingle or flat - I'm on it.

When tile roof structures are tent fumigated, many of them have roof repair costs in excess of the actual fumigation cost.  If a warranty is still in place on a tile roof, I advise the client to contact that roof installation contractor for repairs and service of the warranty after completion of any required tent fumigation.