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.

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. Measure with a speed square a speed square and level can be used to easily find the pitch of a roof. With a torpedo level and a speed square you can pretty accurately gauge the pitch of any roof with a gable end photo 1. Read the pitch on the side of the rafter square.

How to measure roof pitch with a speed square. 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. To find the squares divide the overall roof area by 100 and then round up. Measure the rise of your roof.

For instance if the roof is 1550 square feet then it is 16 squares. This is simply 100 square feet of roof. If it s four inches you have a 4 in 12 pitch and so forth for other measurements thereby determining your roof pitch. 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.

Use a level and a pencil to make a plumb vertical line on one face of an existing rafter. Let s say it is equal to 1 5 m. 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. Measure the run length it is the horizontal distance between the roof ridge and the wall of the building.

A 14 in 36 cm difference for example indicates a pitch of 7 in 18 cm. If you need to find the pitch of an existing roof all you need is a level and a tape measure. A square simply refers to a 10 x 10 square of roofing. Let s assume it is equal to 6 m.

Place the level horizontally along the rafter until it contacts the roof sheathing avoiding any protruding roof nails.