Not only is commercial roofing a man’s job, but it’s one of the most challenging types of construction a man can take on. The heat and sun exposure can be brutal, the heights are high enough to make anyone nervous, and you have to keep your cool while working with volatile materials like asbestos. But there’s no denying that commercial roofers provide an essential service for businesses around the world!
Long Hours In Summer Heat
The summer is often the time of year that commercial roofers are busiest, making for some long days in the sun. Commercial roofers get exposed to high temperatures and ultraviolet rays daily as they install new roofs or repair old ones. If the roofing project involves working on a metal roof, the added heat radiates from the metal, so there’s a potential to get burned.
In many cases, professional roofers begin their workday at around eight o’clock in the morning and often work until well after six or seven in the evening. Many commercial roofers sometimes work for more than twelve hours a day, every day of the week!
Due to the long hours and exposure to the sun, roofers should take extra care to stay hydrated. It’s also essential to make sure they wear protective clothing, such as sunscreen and a hat.
There are some jobs that only commercial roofers can do because of the height requirement. These tasks might include installing flashing around chimneys or trimming trees close to the building’s edge.
Rain Outs
Commercial roofers have to wait it out when it rains, or weather conditions aren’t favorable for working on a roof. This delay can be even more frustrating if the commercial roofer has other work and needs to make up for a lost time or is waiting on a paycheck before he’s able to go back on the job!
When rainouts happen, handling other business tasks or working on other projects during the downtime can be a saving grace for commercial roofers.
If there is the misfortune that roofers are in the middle of a job and it starts to rain, using tarps to cover any exposed roof areas protects the structure from water damage and moisture.
However, if they are in a hurry to finish or don’t have access to tarps, then it’s time for an emergency rainout plan! All tools and materials will need to get packed up and covered to protect against water damages.
You Get A Tan And Build Strength
Commercial roofers need to be in great shape and have the stamina to work hours in the heat and sun. It’s not uncommon for commercial roofers to get a tan while they’re at work, which is always good for complexion! And it doesn’t hurt that commercial roofing can also build strength.
Think about it: commercial roofers constantly climb up ladders, lugging heavy equipment, doing physical labor. While some people might not want to do this kind of work because they don’t like heights or don’t like muscle aches, it’s an exciting pursuit for those who love a physical challenge.
Demand For Roofing Remains Constant
If you’re a man seeking a stable employment opportunity should consider commercial roofing as an option.
Commercial roofs are always in demand, and the need for this type of work only increases when extreme weather events such as hurricanes happen. Roofers often earn a lot more during these times because they’re needed to help with the restoration efforts following natural disasters like hurricanes and other weather events that cause extensive damage.
Typically, commercial roofers earn between $20 to $45 an hour, so you can see that there are some excellent reasons to consider commercial roofing as a potential career path if this line of work is up to your alley. Sometimes, these hourly rates can be even higher.
One of the upsides of being on top of a roof is the freedom not to have to work face to face with customers or spend a lot of time answering their questions, but make no mistake, you will still have to deal with customer concerns.
Undoubtedly, roofing is a manly job. It requires brute strength and stamina to get the roof done right, but it can also be rewarding.
You’ll put in some hard work, you may have to deal with weather conditions that would make most people run for cover, and sometimes you might even need to do something as wild as drive your truck up on a building’s roof! But when everything gets said and done, you will know how much pride there is in being an artisan of commercial roofs.
