How one invention could transform rooftop access

By Jesse Sanchez.

This innovative solution offers roofers a smarter, safer way onto residential roofs — and it’s turning heads across the industry. 

In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, host Heidi J. Ellsworth sits down with Heath Hicks, co-founder of The Catch-All and owner of Afco Roofing, to talk about not just one, but three new safety-driven products shaking up the residential roofing industry. More than just clever add-ons, these innovations are built to solve the everyday risks that roofers and homeowners face on the jobsite. 

Roof Step: Permanent safety right where it matters 

Falls during roof access are one of the leading causes of injury and even death among both roofers and homeowners. The Roof Step is designed to solve that. Installed during roof replacement, it creates a permanent foothold and ladder anchor point at the valley above a gutter, where ladder access is most common and most dangerous. "Depending on the year, between 600 and 1,000 homeowners die trying to access their roof," Heath said. With its steel platform and seamless visual design (color-matched to trim or gutters), the Roof Step is both functional and subtle. It also adds lasting value, especially when packaged with service contracts. 

AC Shield: Keeping cool and clean 

Most roofers jury-rig a cover to protect homeowners' AC units during tear-offs, but plywood and tarps aren’t safe or effective. The new AC Shield provides a breathable netted cover using parts from the original Catch-All system. It shields the unit from debris without blocking airflow, so the system can keep running in hot climates. " You only have to hurt one air conditioner a year to cost yourself a lot of money," Heath noted. Compact, reusable and jobsite-ready, the AC Shield is a common-sense addition for every crew. 

Pool Shield: Jobsite safety meets backyard protection 

Homeowners with pools face another risk: traditional tarps often create slip hazards and obscure the edge of the pool, leading to falls. Worse, someone could fall in and get trapped under a non-breathable cover. The Pool Shield solves this with a transparent, breathable net that allows full visibility while catching all roofing debris. Whether used solo or layered over an actual pool cover, it prevents accidents and simplifies cleanup. 

Marketing power built in 

What sets The Catch-All apart is that every product is built not just for function, but for marketing. With QR codes, customizable banners and high-visibility branding, contractors are using these tools to dominate local marketing. " We see thousands of uses of the QR codes per month," Heath explained. “It’s like a big billboard all the way around the house where everyone can see exactly who's doing the roof. You can just scan the QR code and get an appointment or just call a company.” Contractors have even white-labeled the system with their own branding, integrating it into their pitch as part of a premium protection package. 

Training, access & ROI 

Getting started is easy. Instructional videos in English and Spanish cover setup and teardown. Most contractors can get a full system deployed in under 30 minutes. And because the setup time is comparable to tarps and plywood, the return on investment in cleanup, safety and lead gen is substantial. As Heath put it, "We do a lot more than anybody else and we really try harder. So we’re worth it!"  

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about the Roof Step and other new safety-driven products from The Catch-All!