"Soapstone stays sharp longer and gives cleaner lines."
Yeah, soapstone's pretty solid, but ever tried carpenter pencils? They're flat, don't roll off the roof (trust me, chasing markers down gutters ain't fun...), and sharpen easily. Plus they're cheap enough to lose without feeling guilty.
"They're flat, don't roll off the roof (trust me, chasing markers down gutters ain't fun...)"
True about the rolling issue, but carpenter pencils smudge easily on damp shingles. I've switched to lumber crayons—weather-resistant, visible lines, and still cheap enough to lose without stress.
I ran into a similar issue when I first started inspecting my roof after buying my home. Thought carpenter pencils were the perfect solution until I had to climb back up because the morning dew had practically erased all my marks. Lumber crayons sound like a solid fix—I ended up using a grease pencil instead. They're pretty reliable on damp surfaces and hold up well enough in rain, but they can smudge if you rub against them accidentally. Still, they're cheap and easy to find at hardware stores, so losing one isn't a big deal. Might give lumber crayons a shot next time though, always open to trying something new if it makes the job easier...
Grease pencils are a decent solution for sure—used them myself more times than I can count. The smudging thing always bugged me though, especially when I had to climb around tight spots or lean against shingles. Nothing worse than finally getting down and realizing half the marks transferred onto my sleeve instead of the roof, haha...
I've heard good things about lumber crayons too, but haven't personally tried them yet. Curious how well they hold up over a few days of weather exposure? Sometimes I mark areas that need attention but can't get back to them right away, so durability is a big factor for me.
One thing I've found helpful (if you don't mind carrying an extra item up there) is snapping a quick pic on my phone after marking an area. Even if the marks fade or smudge, at least I have a visual reminder of where the trouble spots were. Saved me from climbing back up unnecessarily more than once.
Definitely agree with you about being open to trying new stuff. Roof inspections are already enough of a hassle without adding repeat trips because your marks vanished overnight... Glad to hear your routine paid off though—catching problems early is always satisfying.
I've had decent luck with lumber crayons myself. They definitely hold up better than grease pencils in rain or sun, but after a few days of heavy weather, even those marks can fade a bit. The photo idea is smart—I started doing that too after losing track of a few spots. Nothing like climbing back up there only to scratch your head wondering where the heck your marks went...
