Men and women who want to become roofers or waterproofers should be prepared for a physically demanding career.

Roofers and waterproofers work almost exclusively outdoors and sometimes at great heights. Because the vast majority of work is done outdoors, roofers and waterproofers work weather permitting.

Most roofers and waterproofers work in a commercial and industrial setting, installing large-scale systems.

 Apprenticeship

Roofers and waterproofers begin their career as an apprentice learning about safety and the basic skills of the trade. During their apprenticeship, students earn while they learn through on-the-job training. To supplement this training, apprentices learn in the classroom from trained and experienced instructors. Once their apprenticeship is complete, roofers and waterproofers become journeymen and earn a pay raise.

The Roofers and Waterproofers research and Education Joint Trust Fund provides training guidelines for this industry.

The work of roofers and waterproofers is:

Roofers remove and install roofs from the top of structures. A roofers main responsibility is covering a structure so that the structure is waterproof or weatherproof. The materials that a roofer works with change as each project is different and certain jobs may want a certain material on their roof. Roofers should always be prepared to work outdoors and in the elements.