Roofers build and repair flat roofs - using hot asphalt, gravel and waterproof sheet materials. They may also build and repair sloped roofs - using asphalt and wood shingles, shakes and masonry or baked clay roofing tiles and metal materials - although this type of work is typically done by a Residential Steep Roofer. Their work also involves setting up scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs. Roofer is a nationally designated trade under the Inter-provincial Red Seal program. (Find out about Red Seal in the Trades Lingo section.)

What do these workers do?
(Source: BC Work Futures)

Roofers and shinglers are literally on top of the construction world. Their work is divided between new construction and re-roofing and weatherproofing existing structures. New materials and processes have brought changes to the job but the mainstay continues to be asphalt shingling, which is a fast but labour-intensive form of roofing.

The tasks performed by roofers and shinglers can include:

Remove old roofing. Old worn-out roofs generate a lot of mess and waste when they are removed. Roofers the ground around the building to catch the waste and make clean-up easier.

Replace sub-roofing. The material that goes under the outer layer of roofing sometimes needs to be replaced. Cutting and placing the plywood for a sub-roof can be a challenge, and special techniques are used, especially when it's windy.

Apply waterproofing. Roofing usually requires layers of material that produce a waterproof seal. If the top layer fails or develops a leak, the layer or layers below will resist the water for some time. Roofing paper applied over the plywood and beneath the shingles is an example of this technique.

Stack materials. The materials are delivered and placed on the ground, and the roofer or shingler spends a lot of time transporting materials to the roof before beginning each stage of the work. On larger commercial jobs, the delivery truck might have the necessary equipment to place the materials on the roof.

Install venting. Covering a space as large as a roof involves knowledge of seasonal effects on the enclosed airspace below the roof line. Extensive venting allows moisture to dissipate and minimizes building movement due to heat expansion. Installation of the right amount of ventilation in the right places, so there are no leaks, is one of the skills of the roofer and shingler.

Spread asphalt and tar. Flat roof construction calls for a continuous waterproof membrane. This usually consists of tarpaper that has been heated and sealed with tar. This work can be hot and dirty and requires caution as hot tar produces severe burns.

Build and move scaffolding and staging. Gaining access to the roof requires scaffolding, staging and bracing. All of this is built to WCB standards by the roofer.

Cut sheet metal and metal roof panels. Metal roofing requires lots of custom cutting. Other jobs might require custom sheet metal work for trim, flashing and ventilation pieces. Roofers cut this on-site or in shops.

Read the full Roofer profile (57Kb pdf)

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