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Word of caution 70lb panels/ladders/roof

C

Cptx

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Feb 19, 2023
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I know we all enjoy DIY and have done heavy lifting all our lives.

Be very careful as I know getting 70lb panels on the HOA approved roof space can be challenging. The HOA approved roof space is usually the most awkward and difficult location (typically back yard south facing guttered roof, tight spaces, odd angles, and trees/shrubs to maneuver)

If you are no longer a spring chicken (>45yo) you just might blow out a cervical disc on THE LAST panel as it has to be placed in that small remaining space on the roof.

In hindsight, I would have looked at some sort of hoisting/rope/pulley mechanism onto the roof instead of military pressing up a ladder. All went great until the last one. Didn’t feel it until two days later…but I knew from the physics of the situation there was potential….Im 6’5” 245lb heavy lifting machine and go to the gym every day…but physics will win every time with weird angles and narrow spaces.
 
Cptx said:
I know we all enjoy DIY and have done heavy lifting all our lives.

Be very careful as I know getting 70lb panels on the HOA approved roof space can be challenging. The HOA approved roof space is usually the most awkward and difficult location (typically back yard south facing guttered roof, tight spaces, odd angles, and trees/shrubs to maneuver)

If you are no longer a spring chicken (>45yo) you just might blow out a cervical disc on THE LAST panel as it has to be placed in that small remaining space in the roof.

In hindsight, I would have looked at some sort of hoisting into the roof instead of military pressing up a ladder.
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You aren't the first to sustain such an injury, I think @Q-Dog is just recovering from surgery after his last mounting attempt.
 
I am thankful…99% recovered without surgery.
Started physician guided traction, physician prescribed medrol dose pack, and PT immediately. Almost vomited when I saw the MRI. TENS unit constantly and ice packs 30 minute on one hour off the first week (couldn’t sleep without a TENS unit that first week). My PT was/is excellent.
 
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But I missed my favorite two month seasonal fishing time and replaced fishing by wandering back into the audiophile world for the first time in two decades (continues to be a very treacherous potential hobby)
 
Cptx said:
But I missed my favorite two month seasonal fishing time and replaced fishing by wandering back into the audiophile world for the first time in two decades (continues to be a very treacherous potential hobby)
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At least with solar there's some potential payback, audiophile addiction can be catastrophic...
 
Brucey said:
You aren't the first to sustain such an injury, I think @Q-Dog is just recovering from surgery after his last mounting attempt.
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My first injury was 40 years ago. Herniated disc and pinched nerve. I did PT and rest. Recovery from a bad episode was getting harder and harder as I got older. I did everything I could to avoid surgery, PT, meds, TENS, and lots of rest, but just couldn't take it any more.

Now, 6 months out from surgery and I wish I hadn't taken so long to finally get it fixed. You don't realize how much pain you live with until it completely goes away. Another benefit, I am a much nicer person to be around.
 
So pleased you are better Q-Dog.

I’ve hopefully learned a difficult lesson….

*this was particularly embarrassing as diagnosing and treating these sort of injuries are my medical/surgical specialty…and I tell people all day “don’t do anything dumb like dig a big hole and maneuver a heavy shrub into it”
 
At one point I was so deluded that I thought I could mount 12 panels, mostly by myself, on a metal 12/12 pitch roof in November. Thankfully my wife was able to convince me of how much of a bad idea this was. I ended up hiring two experienced installers to do the job, who told me afterwards that it was one of the most difficult installs they'd ever done :LOL:
 
Guess I could still drain it…then panel mounted structure across the top. Empty pool pergolas are trendy is what I’d say to my better half.


…..with a big old whole hog smoker on the bottom of the now empty pool. Yess!!!
 
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