Most residential roofs are covered with shingles. 3-foot strips of roofing felt lengthwise over the entire roof. Then, starting from the bottom edge, they nail overlapping rows of shingles to the roof. Workers measure and cut the felt and shingles to fit intersecting roofs, and to fit around vent pipes and chimneys. Finally, roofers cover exposed nailheads with roofing cement or caulking to prevent water leakage.
Some roofers also waterproof and dampproof masonry and concrete walls and floors.
To prepare surfaces for waterproofing, they hammer and chisel away rough spots or remove them with a rubbing brick before applying a coat of liquid waterproofing compound. They also may paint or spray surfaces with a waterproofing material or attach waterproofing membrane to surfaces. When dampproofing, they usually spray a bitumen-based coating on interior or exterior surfaces. Working Conditions Roofers' work is strenuous. It involves heavy lifting, as well as climbing, bending, and kneeling.