Roofing Jobs | Roofer Employment | Roofing Work
Roofer Jobs - What is the Job of a Roofer? What does a Roofing Job Involve?
Leaky roofs can be a problem that will result in a damaged home, and it is the job of a roofer to repair and install roofing made out of tar, asphalt, gravel, or shingles in order to protect the house from being damaged by water. Repairing roofs and replacing older rooms on existing buildings will make up the majority of a roofing job.
There are two types of roofs that a roofer will specialize in which include low slope and steep slope. Low slope roofs are installed in layers while steep slope roofs are usually covered in shingles. It is common for commercial and industrial buildings to have low slope roofs, while most residential houses have steep slope roofs.
Low slope roofing is usually installed in layers, with a first layer of installation installed on the decking, and then a coat of tar on top of this. After spreading the molten bitumen, the roofer will then install roofing felt over this sticky surface. After the first layer of felt, the roofer will add another layer of hot bitumen followed by another layer of felt. This process will be repeated for the desired number of piles. Upon finishing, the top layer of roof felt is glazed in order to create a rough surface.
It is becoming common for low slope roofs to be covered by a single layer of rubber or thermoplastic, and the sheets are rolled over the insulation on the roof and sealed. Adhesive glues or mechanical fasteners are used to hold the sheets in place.
Environmentally friendly green roofs are becoming increasingly popular with the average American, and a green roof is created by starting with a single waterproof layer, followed by a root barrier so that the grass cannot penetrate into the roof itself. After the roofing barrier has been installed, a roofers job is to then add soil on which trees and grass can be planted. Factors that a roofer considers include the weight of the plants and their water needs.
Residential roofs are typically steep slope, and they are covered with shingles. Shingle application is conducted by first laying three foot strips of roofing felt across the entire roof. These shingle strips are then tacked using staples or nails, and the roof shingles are then installed. Residential roofers may have to cut special pieces in order to accommodate vent pipes and chimneys.
When a roofer comes across two non-connecting roof surfaces, a roofer will use metal strips called flashing and caulk in order to make sure that the joints are watertight. Typically, shingles are made out of fiberglass or composite material, while others may be made out of ceramics, metal, or wood.
Roofing jobs also involve installing ventilation ducts and attic fans, and most roofers specialize in waterproofing in order to prevent damage to the roof of the home. In order to waterproof a roof, roofers will apply a coat of liquid waterproofing material or spray surfaces with this substance, a process called damp proofing.
Working Conditions for Residential Roofing Jobs - How is the Working Environment for Roofer Jobs?
Roofing work is physically demanding and roofers will typically work in very hot conditions, although they will rarely work during the winter due to the danger of slipping on ice. Roofing jobs will frequently involve overtime during the summer in order to make up for this lost time.
Other dangers of roofing jobs include slipping or falling from scaffolds or roofs, or receiving burns from the hot bitumen that the roofer will spread. In 2005, the United States Department of Labor found that roofers had twice the rates of injury of the average construction worker.
Roofer Education - How to Become a Roofer - How to Receive Your Roofing Work Training
Roofing training requires a high school diploma and may involve an apprenticeship administered by the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers. Roofing apprenticeships can involve 2000 hours of training each year and 144 hours of classroom training for three years.
Nonunion roofer trainees will receive on the job training, starting out handling materials and lifting items. Over time, an entry level roofing worker will learn how to lay asphalt, felt, and shingles.
Roofer Training Requirements - How to Receive Your Roofing Job Education
Other skills that a roofer job requires include good balance so that a roofer does not fall and excellent physical condition in order to carry heavy items. Roof apprentices should be 18 years of age and roofers can advance in their chosen profession by becoming roofing contractors.
Roofing Employment - What are the Future Employment Prospects for Roofers?
Over the next decade, roofing careers should grow by about 14%, as roofs frequently need to be replaced in order to protect the integrity of the building’s structure. Roofing on new homes is also an area of popular demand.
Roofing work is dirty, hot, and difficult, so many roofers leave the profession each year in order to follow much more lucrative skilled trades. Roofer employment is subject to fluctuations in the economy, and roofing jobs will suffer during a bad housing market or a economic recession.
Roofing Work Pay Scale - How Much Do Roofer Jobs Earn?
In 2006, roofer jobs had hourly earnings of $15.51 on median. Those roofers working for building contractors had slightly wages at $15.54 an hour.
Some roofers are members of the United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers, with roofing apprentices starting out at 50% of journeyman scale.