The roofing career is gradually gaining grounds in recent times. For new or alternative career seekers, venturing into the roofing career is never a bad deal. The job of roofers revolves basically around specialize construction and weatherproofing of roofs on homes, schools, offices, and other buildings. It is the sole responsibility of a roofer to installing the frame of a roof, which is not just limited to the beams, rafters, and trusses. After the roofer must have installed the frame, the roof can be covered with a variety of materials and methods to protect the house. These include the use of wood, aluminum, slate or asphalt, and shingles. The roofing job is only done when the roofer must-have finished with sprays on the rooftop, siding, and walls with materials to seal, bind, and insulate the roof and offer protection from unfavorable weather.
The roofing career is very promising and offers a steady job. Becoming a roofer entails that you must avail yourself to full training on how to work on different types of buildings including commercial and residential buildings and also, take cognizance of the rules and regulation in place as regards to roofing. Here is all you have to know as you prepare to journey down the roofing career.
What A Roofer Does
One fact you ought to have at the back of your mind is that as a roofer, you need to be ready to work in all kinds of weather conditions and all sorts of roof-top situations. You might work on a steep-sloped roof in the rain one day, or on a flat roof in the hot sun the next. All these come with the job! Well not to scare you, is no big deal once you get really ‘in’ the career.
A roofer first point of call is to inspect a roof to ascertain the best solution for the roof, either to opt for a fix or total replacement of the roof. The job also deals with taking care to consider the safest way to install the roof, whether that be setting up shingles and wearing safety harnesses in case there is a fall. The pattern or style involved in the repair or installation of a roof depends on the material the roof is constructed of. With time, the experience you must have amassed as a roofer would be your point of reference on how to properly install various types of roofing material.
In the course of installing new roofs, the roofer has first to install the decking which often is made using thick plywood. This is succeeded by the felt installation, which is very much beneficial for roofers as it makes footing quite easier. Afterward, the shingles, which are also known as the rubber membrane or metal panels, are then installed. Having an eye for detail is one huge quality any roofer should possess. This is quite pertinent as any slight mistake in the work with the result to wood damage culminating to leakages which are responsible for a handful amount of damage to the inside of the building. The job of a roofer also extends to installation and probable fixing of attic fans and ventilation ducts. However, for a roofer to be able to do these, he needs to be properly trained as it relates to those.
As you proceed in the roofing career, you will get to the point of being the one to call the shots. You will find yourself responsible for meeting with clients and estimating the materials and labor necessary to complete the job. Also, the planning or rescheduling of the whole job and potentially supervising the other roofers on site will be on you.
Training For Roofers
The training towards becoming a roofer is done mostly ON the job itself. An apprenticeship program is one of the most conventional way into a career as a roofer. This is mostly complemented with little learning in the classroom and then, some real on the job experience. Attending an apprenticeship program and training is the surest way of becoming a roofer. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on roofing, recommends that every intending roofer should gain their knowledge through a 3-year apprentice program, this is readily offered by local roofers' unions. It is expected of every intending roofer to complete at least 144 hours a year in-classroom training and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training. In the classroom, it is required that the students gain much information about the tools, safety, and construction. They are also required to work on job sites under the tutelage of more experienced roofers. Therefore, the roofing apprenticeship program basically impacts on the students the roofing techniques, what safety precautions to take as a roofer, and how roofing tools are used. Through this program, the apprentice is able to gain good experience on the career before being certified on the job.
In the course of your career, you will have to learn new techniques and materials to uphold and earn various certifications. The roofing career requires the contractor to be always fit as a fiddle. Good carpentry skill is never out of the sauce. Knowledge on metalworking also proves to be beneficial in helping prospective roofers install metal roofing and affording a great competitive advantage over the competition. At the end of all the training, it is much expected that the student must have amassed enough knowledge and up to the level of been qualified enough to find and handle jobs. Also, up to date information is to be collected by the roofer to maintain qualification status and to be valid and relevant in the roofing industry.
Prospects For Roofers
The future of the roofing industry still seems more promising. With the recent housing issues and effort put in place by government and other agencies to set up more housing units for the populace (all in tackling the incessant population growth). The need to hire local roofers will in the like manner be on a high.
Roofs are no doubt prone to wear and tear. The recent climatic changes offer little or no help to the life span of roofs. The unfavorable climates over time have been more responsible to most tear and wear common with roofs. This presents much need to get the roof replaced and repaired more often. Most job done by a roofer centers on repairing and replacing existing roofs.
The constant demand for roofing ultimately points out that there will always be jobs available. The industry shows sign of being less likely to experience downturns. Even if the construction of new buildings should experience low market, the need for roof repairs and replacement will always be there.
Royal Roofing Queens 68-38 Main St. Flushing, NY 11367 (718) 489-4009
