Hi all - I'm new to google groups so bear with me.

Quick question - my wife and I bought our house last fall knowing we
need some chimney work. I've done a fair amount of work on my old
house (including painting the chimney).. now, the actual chimney work
that needs to be done isn't really the problem. Someone painted the
chimney and the paint is peeling and taking pieces of the brick/
masonry with it. I intend to scrape the chimney, get all of the loose
crap off, and repaint it with some top quality masonry paint
(suggestions?).

I had a quote from a gentleman last fall to do this work for about
$1000. Not easily deprived of my $1000 for such easy work, I've
decided to tackle the project myself. Here's the problem; the chimney
is located smack in the center of a slate roof. Obviously I can't walk
on the slate without damaging it. I was going to buy a couple of
ladder hooks and essentially sit on the ladder which is handing off of
the ridge in order to do this work. The thing is, I'm not convinced
this won't damage the roof. I understand that it disperses my weight,
but in all likelihood I'll have some contact with the slate. How
likely am I to damage the slate? Any tips I should know about for
trying to work up on the slate roof?

Thanks in advance