How To Determine Roof Pitch With A Speed Square

The pitch can also be measured if only a level mark can be made.

How to determine roof pitch with a speed square.

Read the pitch on the side of the rafter square. Move the tape measure along the the roof until it hits the level at exactly the 12 inch mark. Measure the vertical distance from roof to level. The triangle shaped square was invented in 1925 by albert swanson to provide a quick accurate method for marking rafters.

Check your results with the omni roof pitch calculator. Roof pitch refers to the slope which the rafter creates. 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. Leah s recommended tools for beginner diy ers.

To convert between american roofing ratios and pitch degrees follow these steps. Place the straightedge on the shingles in a direction perpendicular to the gutter. Measure the roof pitch with a speed square. Extend it upward so it is perpendicular to the level.

Use the torpedo level to make a plumb mark on the straightedge. Often you express roof pitch as the ratio between the rise and the run in the form of x 12. Place the pivot point against the shingles. You can assess this in two ways either as the roof pitch angles which the rafters make with the horizontal or the proportion between the run and the rise of the roof.

Leah answers a viewer s question about how to calculate the pitch of a roof on a structure. Hold the 0 mark of the tape measure against the roof. Divide the first part of the ratio by 12 to work out the pitch. Measure with a speed square a speed square and level can be used to easily find the pitch of a roof.

Finding the pitch of a roof is simple with a speed square. With a torpedo level and a speed square you can pretty accurately gauge the pitch of any roof with a gable end photo 1. Then place a torpedo level on the fat base of the rafter square and adjust the square until the level is level. Because of its compact size it is frequently used as a saw guide when cutting framing members as well as a layout tool for quick 45 and 90 degree cuts.