How many of you know of or use Cougar Paws to stay on the roof?

How many Roof Cleaners use Cougar Paws?

  • I have used them and don't like them or they don't work

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    43

Roof Clean USA

New member
Good Afternoon All,

I was just curious if anyone else uses the roof boots called COUGAR PAWS. These are pretty awesome and thought I'd share them with the forum for those new to Roof cleaning or who haven't heard of or used these. I know I am letting out some of the "secrets of the pro's" but if they save one person from a fatal fall, well, then letting the "cat out of the bag" is worth it to me. They REALLY do help you to "STICK" to the roof "like a Cougar". Especially 8/12 and above roof pitches where every bit of traction is critical.

You can check these out at www.cougarpaws.com. And PLEASE folks, do me a BIG favor for hooking you up with this info and tell Alice or Betty that Dave at Roof Clean USA referred you, I would appreciate it. At Cougar Paws, Alice is the Operations Manager and Betty takes the orders. Really Nice, Friendly Folks to do business with.

Also, something that will help keep others safe. Tell all of us how you like them if you DO decide to get them, and, if they live up to all the hype. I think once you TRY THEM you won't get on another roof WITHOUT THEM!

If you already OWN them, PLEASE post your comments on them and also tell us where and when they work best for you.

We all look forward to your replies. Thanks
 
Last edited:
Don't use them to walk anything you wouldn't normally walk. Dont let them give you a false sense of security. They work OK on semi-walkable roofs 8/12 or 9/12. If you can't walk a 7 shoot from the ladder. 10/12 and up is asking for a fall. I'm a roofer baby so why dont you kill me. I've fallen off 10+ roofs.
 
I agree they stick good, but NOTHING can stick to loose granules.
Always be careful :)
BTW, welcome to the roof forum Johnny Roofs!
Two NEW people, Dave and You, with something to SAY.
This is too cool, two more new guys here !
 
I may check these out, i have been looking for something better than what i have been using. we have alot of steep roofs here in lex, and i have found that the slip resistant shoes made for restaurant workers work well, but not enough ankle support. i may try these out.
 
I may check these out, i have been looking for something better than what i have been using. we have alot of steep roofs here in lex, and i have found that the slip resistant shoes made for restaurant workers work well, but not enough ankle support. i may try these out.


(Not necessarily targeting you, just speaking in general)

Just wondering why if when you get a steep you don't just shoot it from a ladder at the roof edge? The only roofs I get on are the ones that are too "flat" to allow the product to flow. Not that quality footwear isn't essential, but when you get to roofs that seem to require "special" roof shoes, I'd say that those roofs aren't safe to be climbing on anyhow. Loose granules or even loose shingles are worries,... as well as stepping on the hose or even the cleaning solution. I never seen any advantage of being on a roof as opposed to just spraying from the roof edge on the steeper roofs. In fact I'd rather do the steeper roofs, simply because they go faster and for overall ease. I don't know others' situations though but I'd like to hear examples of why getting on a steep roof is necessary at all, or what advantage it offers you and your situation.

Jeff
 
Good Morning All,

Before I head off to do some work, I wanted to say, Good and very valid points Jeff of Raystown PW. and the others that took the time to post.

Thanks to you all.

I am on the same page and am tracking with you. There is a saying I use, I don't know if I am the one who began using it or I made it up, but, "There is a TOOL for EVERY job, and a JOB for EVERY JOB".

I am not a roofer by trade but have done my fair of tear offs, shingle re-roofs, and new 3 tab roofing when I was in my mid-to late 20's. Since I have a decent understanding of potential roof problems about to occur, seeing nails that are popped up, broken or cracked shingles or other voids and when I see these issues I like to give a HEAD'S UP to the HO. When possible, I try to walk the roof first and note any irregularities, issues or problems I see and note them on my initial inspection form. This form helps me decide if the roof is too old or badly damaged to perform a cleaning and saves me insurance claims later for damaged roofing I did not cause plus I subscribe to " A picture is worth a thousand words" so I like to take digital pictures of not only before and after photos but also to document any PREVIOUS damage so the HO can sign off on those areas after I make them aware of the damage or problem.

Also, I work closely with a couple of LOCAL roofing companies that do repairs and if I see a problem area, I can reference these pictures to can email them or send them by my mobile phone to get the roofing co. to present a bid for the HO before I perform the cleaning.

Some steep pitched roofs I definitely do not walk but most I do for the reasons stated above, and for ANY walkable roof these COUGAR PAWS are a big confidence builder and I feel safer, ebven with other fall protection devices in place.

I know I don't have to do this extra step but I feel it is a VALUE ADDED service that gives every HO the heads up on potential problems. This extra has an ADDED benefit for me. Not only do I protect myself from liability issues from problems I did not cause but if I refer repairs to my LOCAL roofers that I know and trust and they get the repair, then THEY will naturally scratch my back and be more willing to refer MY roof cleaning and maintnence services and finally, the HO feels that I go the extra mile and am not just a " spray and dash for the cash" fly by night company and that I have their BEST interests at heart, which I do.
My motto, "Do what you LOVE, and do it better than anyone else, and the money will follow" I love to do exterior cleaning and I feel I give my all on every job. The money is just a natural result of doing an excellent job.

Please all of you that read this and the other posts, comment on your experiences with fall safety devices like these COUGAR PAWS and others and HELP make slip and fall roofing accidents a NON occurance. :)

Thanks Again,
Dave- The "RRC"
 
In a pinch a foam cushion from a couch works great! Just remember to pull the cover off it! It grips as long as you have weight on it!
 
I do work from a ladder when needed, but i find that shooting a roof from the top makes my life ALOT easier. I will no walk a roof if i do not feel safe on it. if i have foot wear that makes me feel safer, then i get to do the roof the way i like: from the top.
 
If you do have some kind of protection beneath you (scaffolding, harness or toe hold brackets, etc) these are money because you dont have to worry about falling. Don't use these as a reason to get on a 10/12 roof to bid or work on without any other safety precaution. My biggest issue was the "pads" wear really fast and when they get down to the "boot" you skid on the roof which throws off your balance and then what kind of skills you got? 'Cause if your not a billy goat, you're in trouble. They do have their place but I found that the number of times they would save me time was so miniscule that I couldnt justify restocking the "pads".
 
Just a HEADS UP regarding Cougar Paws consumables.

Just like chemicals and fuel, replacement pads for the COUGAR PAWS are a business expense.

Replacement costs are fairly inexpensive. Approx. $15 bucks for the set of pads or $7.50 a foot. For the increase in traction and stability, I believe the costs are easily justified.

The easy to replace as the pads have the hook and the bottom of the boots have the loop (commercial VELCRO).

Personally, I would rather wear these and replace the pads than feel less secure on steeper pitched roofs.

If you are not a roofer and you clean roofs then a set of pads last up to a month or more depending how many roofs you clean weekly and the amount you perform a rinse on.

And the Leather Dura-flex Boot with ankle support and the foot straps with keep those with more narrow feet from them sliding around in the boots.

Also, they are pretty well water resistant but if you put a coating of spray on waterproofer with a leather conditioner, WOW, these feel REALLY good compared to other types of foot ware. Like they have been previosly "broke in".

They have my vote!
 
So you have to get their propitiatory boots so the "paws" will attach?
 
So you have to get their propitiatory boots so the "paws" will attach?

For their system (COUGAR PAWS) to work, YES, it requires a comfortable, well supported boot, of which, COUGAR PAWS has a PROPRIETARY patent on, made with a flat rubber sole with a piece of commercial velcro attached to the bottom of the sole of the boot. Then, the patented pads are attached to the velcro and are replaceable as they are a wear item.

MudDuck ,for more info go to WWW.COUGARPAWS.COM and look at the FAQ section

Hope this answer helps.:rolleyes:
 
shoot it from the ladder..... bucket truck... i hate walking roofs and its really not necessary may be more labor intensive moving a ladder around 3-4 times but rather sweat from work than fear.
 
I prefer to walk the roofs, but dont do it much. I use "not walking the roof" as something that makes us stand out from some other companies. I think having the boots just adds to your credibility, if even only a little. When talking to customers I talk about all of our safety precautions: Safety goggles, respirators, safety roof boots, insurance, ground guys for the plants, tarps, etc... These all seem like normal things to us, but when I list these things forcustomers, I always get a "wow, you guys really come prepared huh?"

When I do walk the steeper roofs, it is because it is a multi level roof and there may be impossible crevices to clean without walking it or being over it in a bucket. However 90% of the time, I dont walk them at all, and prefer not to. I have come quite close to falling probably 10 times, and it really scares the crap out of you.
 
Scott, Great thoughtful and Informative Feedback given! Thank You.It sounds like you speak from well earned experience. You are right in your assessment of these boots.

They should be only a part of your roof saftey kit".

These boots do add to your "Roof Cred", but they, in and of themselves are a NOT total solution.

A well thought out FALL PROTECTION and SAFETY program should be in place and used religiously, no exceptions.

I used to be a SAFETY foreman years ago at a very large cabinet and custom design company and also have been on ROAD CONSTRUCTION safety crews and have been hired countless times as a traffic controller while heavy construction occurred on the nations highways and byways.

I learned a GREAT DEAL about safety thru countless state and federal OSHA meetings and drills. At times, I thought it was boring, having to regurgitate safety drivel over and over. All the old timers endlessly drilling the concepts of always wearing safety eyewear, and ear protection, using hardhats in certain areas, mandatory respiratory protection when hazardous chemicals are used and the many safety cone diagrams, traffic patterns and distances and spotters for the forklift operators and heavy equipment danger zones and parimeter placement for orange taping hazardous areas, etc. Gosh darn, back 20+ years ago I never thought when I started power washing and roof cleaning that I'd be in this industry today. But as I learned the ropes, it became very evident QUITE a few times, in a few, very tight and tough spots, that safety pays real dividends and really can save lives and the MOST IMPORTANT part I learned is that the life you SAVE, might be YOUR OWN!

You really never can be too safe while working, ESPECIALLY, off the ground.

I also used to FLOAT TABLES in high rise construction down south and have some stories to tell. You Know, when I think about it, I bet nobody I've ever met truly finds fun in climbing around on steep roofs or tying steel 20 stories up or jumping around like a scared jackrabbit on a hot roof, but when you don't have a lift and you have multi-level, cut up roofs with a variety of dormers and sometimes strange offsets and eves, it really comes down to walking, crawling, even scootin' around on your tail end-LOL-whatever it takes to "Gitter Done".

And yep, Scott, I'm trackin' with you... ALMOST falling always put the fear of God into me and sounds like you too.

Yes, for me today, it's Safety First,FIRST,FIRST!
Sometimes people get to thinking about the cost of the safety equipment and yes its a substancial investment.
But for me, the way I look at it, it doesn't cost...it pays.

It pays to be able to come to work the NEXT day after the day you COULD have fallen off a roof or building, but DIDN'T, due entirely because you were wearing a harness or had some other form of fall protection that saved your AZZ-ets. Then you bet your bottom dollar, your calling your safety equipment supplier and sending hime tickets to the game. LOL- And its always nice to see the one's you love after a near fall.

Harnesses,Static Lines, Multiple Tie Off Points, earth anchors, a trained ground crew to move lifelines, and yes, COUGAR PAWS roof climbing boots which are just one piece in your roof cleaning SAFETY toolkit.

"A tool for EVERY job and a JOB for EVERY tool"
Its all part of the gig!
 
Hi, just another note on the Paws, Yes, the pads are replaceable, however the company says under no condition, if used on a regular basis should you use the boots after 5 months of use. The velcro begins to wear out and when you get to where the pads don't stick properly, the boots are done. I haven't used mine yet, but will soon on a 8/12. No need to waste them on every day use (4/12 or 6/12)
 
Back
Top