The Industry | Roofing industry careers | Testimonials | What roofing has given to me
A testimonial by David Harker, production manager for Simon Roofing and Sheet Metal Corp., Youngstown, Ohio.
The roofing trade has taught me many skills I would not have learned had I not become a roofing worker. Following are skills I have learned from my experience in the roofing industry:
Roofing
- Shingles — how to install shingles; the difference in brands and styles; how to work with valleys and chimneys
- Slate — how to punch, cut, repair and install a slate roof system; precautions needed when working with slate
- Tile — how to install a tile roof system; how to use concrete mix for bonding
- Metal — how to repair a metal roof system; what to look for in different designs
- EPDM — how to install an EPDM roof system; field and detail inspection; how to handle a paint brush and scissors; how to move and lift rolls
- Modified — how to install APP- and SBS-modified roof systems; how to use a hand torch; how different details require smaller torch heads
- PVC — how to install types of PVC roof systems; how to use a heat gun and automatic robot
- Built-up roof — how to install asphalt and coal-tar roof systems; how to operate equipment engineering setups; equipment performance; roof designs
Carpentry
- Use of hand tools, circular saw, reciprocal saw, square, hammer and nail bar
- Designing and building boxes, curbs, sheds, forms, ramps and support
- How to square and cut wood; how to measure in inches and square feet; how to use a chalk line; and how to hammer different nails
Plumbing
- How to fit pipe together; how to use PVC pipes for drains with no-hub fitting; how to install cast iron or plastic drains; how to install black iron pipe with threaded ends and different connections, such as a nipple coupling, elbow, tee and union
- How to use pipe wrenches, heat, leverage, glues, pipe tape and pipe putty; how to line up threads to avoid cross threading
Construction
- How to remove units and curbs; knowledge of structural integrity; how to hook up strapping for lifting; how to remove metal decks, tongue and groove, concrete and gypsum; how to use a cutoff saw (partner saw), 30-pound pry bar, maddock, toe and jackhammer; how to signal a crane operator
- Placement of metal, gypsum and tongue and groove decking; placement and shoring of joist and bulbtees; knowledge of structural integrity
- How to use screw guns, saws, hammers and cutoff saws; precautions needed to place decking; how to mix gypsum and concrete with a mix hoe
Sheet metal
- How to use a brake, slitter and shear to making coping, drip edge, gravel stop, gutter, valleys and counterflashing; how to draw to scale and layout sheet metal; how to solder joints on copper and galvanized sheet metal
- How to use hand tools, such as pan shears, aviation shears, hand brakes, Whitney punch and bull shears
- How to cut and lap metal; how to use a caulk gun and solder iron; how to properly slope the gutter
Mechanical
- How to repair small engines; how to change spark plugs, adjust an idle screw and change a belt
Supervision and estimating
- How to read a blueprint; how to draw to scale
- How to preplan a job; how to prepare for a project with the proper equipment and manpower; how to address a project aggressively; how to managers workers
From the beginning of my roofing career in 1965 until now, I have gained skills and knowledge that allowed me to advance to higher administrative positions. In addition, the skills I learned have helped me with maintenance on my home and allowed me to help others
Roofing can be a lifelong occupation that may provide a sense of significance and security. There is significance in installing roof systems with quality workmanship to keep buildings dry. There is security in knowing that roofing experience will allow you to move anywhere and get a good paying job
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