A wide range of occupations necessitates the use of specialized tools and equipment. Roofers must also use a range of tools to do their tasks. If you have a strong ambition to learn this field and become a roofer, this article on the tools of a roofer is definitely worth your time. This article will undoubtedly be of great benefit to you in this regard. If you want to work as a roofer, you should know what kind of equipment you would need. So, let us take a look at the tools of a roofer.
What are the Tasks of Roofer?
Roofers restore, repair, and install structures’ roofs using a variety of materials such as shingles, bitumen, and metal. Roofers’ major scope of work is this. However, this is not as straightforward as it may appear.
So, what are the many tasks that a roofer must complete? Allow us to explain. To begin, inspecting and detecting damaged roofs is the best line of action. After that, you would need to calculate how much material you would need and make the necessary substitutions. Of course, you may need to totally remove the old roofing systems and replace them with new ones at times. Installing vapor barriers or layers of insulation, as well as roof ventilation, are important jobs to do.
Regardless, you need to utilize shingles, asphalt, metal, or other materials to make the roof watertight. Aside from that, you would have to use edges to align roofing materials. You may also cut the appropriate holes in the roofing materials to accommodate walls or vents. Furthermore, one of the most important things you must do is take the proper precautions to prevent roofing system leaks.
Green technology rooftop applications are also installed by roofers. Solar shingles and tiles, as well as vegetative roofs and rainwater collecting systems, are examples; however, solar photovoltaic (PV) installers are more likely to install PV panels. Plumbers, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration professionals, as well as roofers, can install solar thermal systems.
Working Conditions
For roofing workers, climbing, bending, kneeling, and heavy lifting are all part of the job. If you want to be a roofer, keep in mind that you will have to accomplish all of these things if you decide to pursue this career path. Roofers work outside in all types of weather, however, they usually avoid working while it is pouring or snowing. You may be required to work as part of a team at times. You may also be required to work in a group at times.
Roofers have one of the worst rates of workplace injuries and illnesses, as well as one of the highest rates of workplace mortality of any profession. Scaffolds, ladders, and roofs may all cause employees to slip and fall if they are not vigilant while working. Burns can also be caused by hot bitumen. Roofs may get quite hot throughout the summer, resulting in heat-related illnesses. Roofers must use sufficient safety equipment to reduce the risk of harm. But there is nothing to be concerned about here. There is nothing to worry about as long as you follow all of the safety measures.
How well do Roofers Earn?
Let us look at some facts from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics to figure out how much a roofer makes every year. Roofers earned an average of $43,580 per year in May 2020. The lowest 10% of earners took in less than $27,220, while the highest 10% took home more than $72,100.
Roofers, for the most part, work full-time. During the busy summer months, roofers may labor overtime to accomplish projects. This allows you to earn more money than you would if you worked under normal circumstances. Apprentices often make half of what journey workers do at the beginning of their employment. As an apprentice advances in their job, their salary rises.
What are the Tools of a Roofer?
Now, we are going to look into the tools of a roofer. Here are the tools.
- Roofing knives
- Air compressor
- Pry bar
- Cordless drill
- Magnetic sweeper
- Measuring tape
- Tin snips
- Hard hats
- Harness
- Tool belt
These are the tools that roofers would basically need. We know that you would be anxious to know more about these. Keep reading! We will tell you.
1. Roofing knives
In our list of tools of a roofer, we are going to tell you about roofing knives firstly. Why do you need roofing knives? A roofing knife is one of the most important pieces of equipment to have on hand when working on the roof. When you need to cut and trim things to size, this will make it easier to cut through them. A retractable blade knife, which keeps the blade safely hidden when not in use, or a fixed blade knife, which guarantees the blade is ready for immediate use, are both suitable alternatives.
Primegrip 36-274 2 Pack Fixed Blade Roofer’s Knife
Changing the blade of this roofing knife is simple thanks to a solid brass notched wheel. And this includes a durable plastic holder as well. We told you the importance of a roofing knife for a roofer. And we think that this would be a perfect pick for you.
2. Air compressor
If you want to utilize pneumatic nail guns, you will need a roofing air compressor to keep the pressure in your equipment constant. You might be tempted to buy nailer-compressor combination equipment that eliminates the need for an air compressor. This equipment, on the other hand, does not sustain adequate pressure to complete a roofing project. Furthermore, the air cartridges are costly. Keep in mind that any delays on the project site cost you money in terms of labor time and missed possibilities for further work. It is far handier to have a compressor on hand at all times.
iKer Portable Air Compressor Heavy Duty Tire Inflator for Car, Truck, Suv,12V 70L/Min Double Cylinders Metal Air Pump 150PSI with LED Work Lights,11.5ft Extension Air Hose and Tire Repair Kit
This heavy-duty air compressor consists of a double cylinder design that inflates faster than the single-cylinder type. A stable motor in the tire inflator significantly reduces vibration and noise. And this has a stable motor. Also included are rubber feet to ensure that the 12V air pump remains put. Additionally, an air compressor with LED lights can offer illumination too. And we think that this would be ideal for the duties of a roofer.
3. Pry bar
As the name suggests, pry bars are designed primarily for prying, but can also be used for the same tasks as most other bars, including lifting, levering, and nail pulling. Informally, pry bars may be called jemmies (‘jemmy’ being a colloquial name for a crow), jimmy bars, or goosenecks. In the United States, they are frequently called ‘cat’s paws.’
Mainly, there are 5 types of pry bars available on the market. There are standard pry bars, adjustable pry bars, construction pry bars, precision pry bars, and alignment pry bars. According to your requirement at the moment, you can use the pry bars that you would need.
Estwing Gooseneck Wrecking Bar PRO – 36″ Pry Bar with Angled Chisel End & Forged Steel Construction – EWB-36PS
This is one of the most long-lasting and robust pry bars available on the market. With the use of this pry bar, extraction of even the hardest nails and spikes is possible thanks to this tool’s maximum leverage. When pulling nails and prying boards, this tool is designed to create the most torque possible. For prying and lifting, you should use the angled chisel end. In general, this tool has received plenty of positive reviews and ratings on Amazon. Because of that, we think that this would be suitable for you as well.
4. Cordless drill
If you are going to buy a big air compressor for your nail guns, you might as well get an air drill as well. Cordless electric drills, on the other hand, are easier to operate at height since there is no cable to trip over. Although cordless drills have a short battery life, you would not be using them very often as a roofer. A cordless drill’s convenience may outweigh its recharge time.
DEWALT 20V Max Cordless Drill / Driver Kit, Compact, 1/2-Inch (DCD771C2)
This cordless drill kit is lightweight and compact, making it ideal for lengthy periods of time operating in confined areas. Its high-speed transmission has two speeds, allowing you to select the amount of performance required for different applications. Also, this has a high-performance motor with a power output of 300 unit watts out (UWO) that can handle a wide range of tasks. Its 1/2″ single-sleeve ratcheting chuck ensures a secure hold on the bit.
5. Magnetic sweeper
After a roofing project, a roofing magnetic sweeper collects errant nails. It is critical to make every attempt to remove stray nails so that homeowners feel safe walking onto their lawn while you are away. Therefore, a magnetic sweeper undoubtedly becomes one of the most useful tools of a roofer.
NEIKO 53416A 24″ Magnetic Pick-Up Sweeper with Wheels | 30 Lbs | Adjustable Handle & Floor Magnet Clearance
The magnetic base of this magnetic sweeper easily takes up stray nails and screws from the floor, making cleanup a snap. This allows users to change the handle height. So, you can get rid of any back discomfort that you would if not experience while cleaning. The finger grooved handle provides a secure grip while also minimizing hand fatigue. Further, the rubbery grip on the wheels makes it simple to operate on a variety of terrain. Considering all these factors, we think that this is a good tool.
6. Measuring tape
The usage of measuring tapes as one of the tools of a roofer is quite simple. High-tech laser measurement instruments are becoming increasingly common these days. However, because they are not as precise at short distances, they are not usually perfect for roofing. As a fallback, you will need a metal measuring tape. Needless to say, measuring is a very important part of a job. If you do not do the measuring part right, you will be totally in trouble.
CRAFTSMAN Tape Measure, Self-Lock, 25-Foot (CMHT37225S)
Tape measurements are crucial for roofers, as you would already know. This is mostly owing to the constant need for exact measurements. And, in terms of tape measurements, this is the tool we recommend. This 25-foot self-lock tape measure has blades that automatically lock into place until you press a button to retract them. The auto-locking feature ensures a smooth, comfortable retraction by preventing the hook from banging against the case, making the tapes more user-friendly and durable. Fractions are printed on the blade to make measuring measurements easier.
7. Tin snips
Tin snips as one of the tools of a roofer are used to cut gutter material and trim metal flashing to size. You may purchase straight tin snips or ones that bend left or right. Curved tin snips may be worth investing in if you regularly make curved cuts. In fact, if you specialize in gutters, you may get automated shears or drill attachments to keep your hands from cutting sheet metal all day. If you are looking to save money, though, you should be able to get away with basic tin sips.
Fiskars Crafts Easy Action PowerCut Snips, 8, White/Gray
These snips are designed to meet all of your project demands, with revolutionary, patent-pending, strength-enhancing curved blades that provide up to 40% more cutting power. Its premium, heavy-duty stainless steel blades cut through thick, challenging materials with ease and precision, while a micro-tip blade makes detailed snips in hard-to-reach places for the perfect balance of size, power, and precision – all in one tool. To alleviate hand strain, this gradually opens the blades after each cut.
8. Hard hats
In job circumstances such as industrial or construction sites, a hard hat is a type of helmet designed to protect the head from injury caused by falling objects, impact with other objects, debris, rain, and electric shock. Suspension bands within the helmet distribute the helmet’s weight and the force of any impact over the top of the head. A suspension also provides roughly 30 mm (1.2 inches) of space between the shell of the helmet and the wearer’s head, lowering the chance of an item impacting the shell and injuring the wearer’s skull. Certain helmet shells include a mid-line reinforcing ridge that enhances impact resistance.
Of course, safety is one of the most important aspects that you must consider as an employee. Without safeguarding yourself, making money out of your profession can do no good to you.
ACERPAL Full Brim Hard Hat, OSHA Construction Work Safety Helmet, 6 Point Adjustable Ratchet Suspension, Carbon Fiber Event Horizon Design
When it comes to hard hats with regard to the tools of a roofer, we believe that this is a fantastic option for you. Because of the comfort, it provides, wearing these hard helmets for lengthy periods of time is a breeze. Nonetheless, they are in compliance with all safety standards. We believe you will find this product quite beneficial in your professional endeavors.
9. Harness
Before purchasing safety harnesses and personal protective equipment, you should familiarize yourself with the many rules that apply to them. If a roofer may fall a distance of 6 feet or more, OSHA requires them to utilize a personal fall arrest device (PFAS). These systems are held to a high level of scrutiny. They must, for example, be able to withstand a fall of 5,000 pounds per worker. Remember to purchase at least one roof safety harness for each roofer after you have found one that fulfills the criteria. Also, if you are not using a permanent anchor, you must remove it once the task is completed to prevent it from being used by someone else.
Malta Dynamics Warthog Full Body Harness with Tongue Buckle Legs (3X-Large), OSHA/ANSI/CSA Compliant
This safety harness has a worker capability range of 130-310 lbs. This has lanyard keepers that break away as well as a fall indicator. Customers have given this product high ratings for qualities such as value for money, comfort, support, and durability.
10. Tool Belt
Because a roofing task requires so many different pieces of equipment, you should always have them available to save time. A tool belt is a useful item that has pouches and compartments for storing all of your important equipment. This nylon tool pack with a belt, for example, is simple to put on and keeps you more organized up on the roof.
CLC Custom Leathercraft IP489X Suede Tool Bag & Poly Web Belt, 3 Pocket
This handy suede leather tool belt features a poly web belt with a quick-release clasp, three compartments for nails, fasteners, and tools, as well as a leather hammer loop and tape measure strap. Construction workers, roofers, maintenance workers, and plumbers are just a few professions that can take advantage of this tool. And of course, as this is a durable and sturdy tool belt, we are recommending this to you. This can make your work a lot easier than you think this would.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we focused on the tools of a roofer. Plumber, electrician, carpenter, masonry worker, HVAC technician, ironworker, glazier, solar installer, and others all need comparable equipment. If you are interested, you may also read about them. Finally, we wish you the best of luck in your career!
