Profession roofer

Roofers build or repair sloped roofs, using roof tiles, slates, shingles and metal materials to form waterproof surfaces.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional

Tasks roofer

• Prepare drawings and specifications of the roof.
• Read and interpret drawings and specifications.
• Inspect materials and equipment.
• Take necessary safety measures, for instance using scaffolding and traffic barricades.
• Remove roof materials such as tiles or slates and demolish (parts of) the roof construction.
• Repair (parts of) the roof construction.
• Prepare the roof for tiling by applying roof insulation, roof rafters, lead, etc.
• Cover roof with tiles, slates or related materials using various techniques.
• Measure and cut roofing materials to fit, e.g. around vents, chimney edges and the hips and valleys of the roof.
• Install roof fittings, such as gutters, pipes and roof windows.
• Conduct periodic maintenance of sloped roofs.

Related professions roofing

• Felt roofer
• Roofer helper

Knowledge

• Roofing techniques

  Techniques used to form the upper covering of a building according to specific materials such as ceramic tiles, wood shingles, slate, metal, concrete of plant stalks.

Skills

• Lay interlocking roof tiles

  Lay interlocking roof tiles of various shapes and materials. Fix the tiles to the battens judiciously, and take special care of the verges, ridges and hips.

• Secure working area

  Secure the operation site fixing boundaries, restricting access, placing signs and taking other measures in order to guarantee public and staff safety.

• Prepare roofing materials

  Select the appropriate pieces and, if necessary, prepare them for fixing by cutting, sawing, trimming the edges.

• Install gutters

  Take measurements, cut the desired length of gutter, assemble gutter pieces to form the corners using adhesive substances and screws, drill a hole for the connection with the vertical gutter, establish the height of the gutter, fix the horizontal and the vertical gutters to the walls using brackets and screws.

• Install roof flashing

  Form and fix the pieces, usually made of metal, that make the joint between the roof and the masonry or brick work, and prevent water infiltration into the structure.

• Remove roofs

  Remove faulty or otherwise unneeded roofs. Unmount roof elements and accessories such as rain gutters and solar panels. Protect the structure from the elements while the roof is being removed.

• Sort waste

  Manually or automatically sort waste by separating it into its different elements.

• Transport construction supplies

  Bring construction materials, tools and equipment to the construction site and store them properly taking various aspects into account such as the workers' safety and protection from deterioration.

• Install insulation material

  Place insulation material, often shaped into rolls, in order to insulate a structure from thermical or acoustic influences and to prevent fire. Attach the material using face staples, inset staples, or rely on friction to keep the material in place.

• Follow safety procedures when working at heights

  Take necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures and avoid falls from ladders, mobile scaffolding, fixed working bridges, single person lifts etc. since they may cause fatalities or major injuries.

• Perform roof maintenance

  Inspect the roof or facade cladding to assess its general state and identify any damage, recommend and perform maintenance and repair work such as fixing broken shingles, replacing flashing, clearing debris and securing the gutters.

• Apply roll roofing

  Roll out mats of roofing material, often bituminous asphalt, to cover flat or low-pitched roofs. Apply the felt layer first if required. Make sure there are no gaps so the roof is weatherproof. Firmly attach the layer to the structure.

• Use measurement instruments

  Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.

• Inspect roofs

  Inspect the condition of an existing roof. Check the state of the weight-bearing structure, roof covering, insulation, and accessibility. Take into account the intended purpose of the roof, including any accessories to be installed.

• Use safety equipment in construction

  Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.

• Construct wood roofs

  Build the structural elements of wood flat or pitched roofs. Lay rafters to provide strength and battens at regular intervals to account for lateral forces and attach any covering. Back the weight-bearing elements with panels, such as plywood, and insulation material.

• Work ergonomically

  Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.

• Interpret 2D plans

  Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in two dimensions.

• Recognise signs of wood rot

  Check whether a wood element shows signs of rot. Aurally inspect the wood by testing what sound it makes on impact. Check for visual signs of rot.

• Inspect construction supplies

  Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.

• Interpret 3D plans

  Interpret and understand plans and drawings in manufacturing processes which include representations in three dimensions.

• Follow health and safety procedures in construction

  Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB