Measuring Roof Pitch

Slope minimums for various roof coverings.

Measuring roof pitch.

The slope is the same as the pitch. Measure from the attic. How to calculate the pitch of a roof method one. For a simple gable roof the span wall to wall will be twice the size of the run wall to ridge horizontally.

First measure 12 inches from one end of the level and make a mark. Then in the attic place the end of the level against the bottom of a roof rafter and hold it perfectly level. One method to find the pitch is to climb on the roof and measure the rise for a 12. Another method to find the roof pitch is to go into the attic and measure the rise.

Using ruler and tape you can do it anyway of these ways. How to measure roof pitch to measure the roof pitch you ll need an 18 or 24 inch level a tape measure and a pencil. For more complex roofs you may need to calculate it section by. Although there s isn t any standard pitch of a roof used on all kinds of sloped roofs you can determine the range of pitches by using a roof angle calculator and by considering factors like the local climate and roofing materials.

And pitch is a fraction derived by dividing the rise by the entire span. If the slope is 4 12 the pitch for the 24 foot span is 1 6. On a ladder at the walled part of the pitched roof place the level against the roof overhang rafter with the 12 inch. For a roof with the ridge above one wall the span is the same as the run.

Remember slope is expressed as a ratio and in inches per foot. If the pitch is 1 3 the slope is 8 12.