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47-2181.00 · Task explorer

Roofers: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Cover roofs of structures with shingles, slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, or related materials. May spray roofs, sidings, and walls with material to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures.

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This source lists 25 tasks, including 20 marked Core and 5 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2026.

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25 tasks shown

Core · Task 13574 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Inspect problem roofs to determine the best repair procedures.

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Core · Task 13590 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Waterproof or damp-proof walls, floors, roofs, foundations, or basements by painting or spraying surfaces with waterproof coatings or by attaching waterproofing membranes to surfaces.

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Core · Task 13583 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Cover exposed nailheads with roofing cement or caulking to prevent water leakage or rust.

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Core · Task 19851 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Apply reflective roof coatings, such as special paints or single-ply roofing sheets, to existing roofs to reduce solar heat absorption.

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Core · Task 13586 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Remove snow, water, or debris from roofs prior to applying roofing materials.

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Core · Task 13580 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Cut felt, shingles, or strips of flashing to fit angles formed by walls, vents, or intersecting roof surfaces.

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Core · Task 13581 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Install vapor barriers or layers of insulation on flat roofs.

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Core · Task 13585 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Cover roofs or exterior walls of structures with slate, asphalt, aluminum, wood, gravel, gypsum, or related materials, using brushes, knives, punches, hammers, or other tools.

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Core · Task 13579 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Install, repair, or replace single-ply roofing systems, using waterproof sheet materials such as modified plastics, elastomeric, or other asphaltic compositions.

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Core · Task 20794 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Attach roofing paper to roofs in overlapping strips to form bases for other materials.

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Core · Task 13575 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Set up scaffolding to provide safe access to roofs.

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Core · Task 13578 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Cement or nail flashing strips of metal or shingle over joints to make them watertight.

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Core · Task 13592 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Apply plastic coatings, membranes, fiberglass, or felt over sloped roofs before applying shingles.

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Core · Task 13584 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Install partially overlapping layers of material over roof insulation surfaces, using chalk lines, gauges on shingling hatchets, or lines on shingles.

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Core · Task 19853 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Install attic ventilation systems, such as turbine vents, gable or ridge vents, or conventional or solar-powered exhaust fans.

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Core · Task 13596 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Punch holes in slate, tile, terra cotta, or wooden shingles, using punches and hammers.

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Core · Task 13594 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Glaze top layers to make a smooth finish or embed gravel in the bitumen for rough surfaces.

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Core · Task 13593 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Smooth rough spots to prepare surfaces for waterproofing, using hammers, chisels, or rubbing bricks.

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Core · Task 13595 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Apply gravel or pebbles over top layers of roofs, using rakes or stiff-bristled brooms.

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Core · Task 19855 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Install skylights on roofs to increase natural light inside structures or to reduce energy costs.

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Supplemental · Task 20793 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Estimate materials and labor required to complete roofing jobs.

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Supplemental · Task 13591 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Mop or pour hot asphalt or tar onto roof bases.

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Supplemental · Task 13587 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Apply alternate layers of hot asphalt or tar and roofing paper to roofs.

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Supplemental · Task 13589 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Spray roofs, sidings, or walls to bind, seal, insulate, or soundproof sections of structures, using spray guns, air compressors, or heaters.

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Supplemental · Task 19852 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Attach solar panels to existing roofs, according to specifications and without damaging roofing materials or the structural integrity of buildings.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

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