How To Measure Roof Pitch With A Speed Square

A square simply refers to a 10 x 10 square of roofing.

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. With a torpedo level and a speed square you can pretty accurately gauge the pitch of any roof with a gable end photo 1. 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 say it is equal to 1 5 m.

This is simply 100 square feet of roof. Then place a torpedo level on the fat base of the rafter square and adjust the square until the level is level. Place the level horizontally along the rafter until it contacts the roof sheathing avoiding any protruding roof nails. 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.

A 14 in 36 cm difference for example indicates a pitch of 7 in 18 cm. If you re using a 2 ft 0 61 m level divide the distance between the level and the roof by 2 to get the true pitch. Measure the run length it is the horizontal distance between the roof ridge and the wall of the building. Use a level and a pencil to make a plumb vertical line on one face of an existing rafter.

If it s four inches you have a 4 in 12 pitch and so forth for other measurements thereby determining your roof pitch. 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. A distance of 7 inches 18 cm for example would mean your roof has a pitch of 7 in 12.

If you need to find the pitch of an existing roof all you need is a level and a tape measure. Let s assume it is equal to 6 m. Read the pitch on the side of the rafter square. To find the squares divide the overall roof area by 100 and then round up.

Working from the interior side of the roof you ll need access to a roof rafter to measure the pitch.