Roofers cover roofs of structures with shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, or related materials. May spray roofs, sidings, and walls with material to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures.

  • Inspect problem roofs to determine the best repair procedures.
  • Remove snow, water, or debris from roofs prior to applying roofing materials.
  • Set up scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs.
  • Estimate materials and labor required to complete roofing jobs.
  • Cement or nail flashing strips of metal or shingle over joints to make them watertight.
  • Install partially overlapping layers of material over roof insulation surfaces, using chalk lines, gauges on shingling hatchets, or lines on shingles.
  • Cut felt, shingles, or strips of flashing to fit angles formed by walls, vents, or intersecting roof surfaces.
  • Apply plastic coatings, membranes, fiberglass, or felt over sloped roofs before applying shingles.
  • Install, repair, or replace single-ply roofing systems, using waterproof sheet materials such as modified plastics, elastomeric, or other asphaltic compositions.
  • Attach roofing paper to roofs in overlapping strips to form bases for other materials.
  • Cover roofs or exterior walls of structures with slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, gravel, gypsum, or related materials, using brushes, knives, punches, hammers, or other tools.
  • Waterproof or damp-proof walls, floors, roofs, foundations, or basements by painting or spraying surfaces with waterproof coatings or by attaching waterproofing membranes to surfaces.
  • Apply reflective roof coatings, such as special paints or single-ply roofing sheets, to existing roofs to reduce solar heat absorption.
  • Apply alternate layers of hot asphalt or tar and roofing paper to roofs.
  • Install vapor barriers or layers of insulation on flat roofs.
  • Cover exposed nailheads with roofing cement or caulking to prevent water leakage or rust.
  • Smooth rough spots to prepare surfaces for waterproofing, using hammers, chisels, or rubbing bricks.
  • Glaze top layers to make a smooth finish or embed gravel in the bitumen for rough surfaces.
  • Mop or pour hot asphalt or tar onto roof bases.
  • Install attic ventilation systems, such as turbine vents, gable or ridge vents, or conventional or solar-powered exhaust fans.
  • Install skylights on roofs to increase natural light inside structures or to reduce energy costs.
  • Apply gravel or pebbles over top layers of roofs, using rakes or stiff-bristled brooms.
  • Install solar roofing systems that have energy-collecting photovoltaic panels built into roofing membranes, shingles, or tiles.
  • Spray roofs, sidings, or walls to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures, using spray guns, air compressors, or heaters.
  • Attach solar panels to existing roofs, according to specifications and without damaging roofing materials or the structural integrity of buildings.
  • Punch holes in slate, tile, terra cotta, or wooden shingles, using punches and hammers.
  • Apply modular soil- and plant-containing grids over existing roof membranes to create green roofs.
  • Install layers of vegetation-based green roofs, including protective membranes, drainage, aeration, water retention and filter layers, soil substrates, irrigation materials, and plants.
Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

Work Activities
  • Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Inspect work sites to determine condition or necessary repairs.
  • Assemble temporary equipment or structures.
  • Apply adhesives to construction materials.
  • Install roofing materials.
  • Install roofing materials.
  • Cut carpet, vinyl or other flexible materials.
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Knowledge

Building and Construction
  • Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Skills

Coordination
  • Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
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Abilities

Gross Body Equilibrium
  • The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
Extent Flexibility
  • The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Trunk Strength
  • The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Computer aided design CAD software
  • AppliCad Roof Wizard Hot Technology
  • Ziatek RoofDraw Hot Technology
  • DigiTools Roof CAD Hot Technology
  • ASR Software LWC-Plus Hot Technology
  • ASR Software TopView ME Hot Technology
  • ASR Software TopView LE Hot Technology
  • ASR Software Taper-Plus Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
  • Word processing software
Operating system software
  • Microsoft Windows Hot Technology
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