Your roof is something you take for granted until it causes a problem for you. It is the only thing that stands between you and a lot damage to your possessions or business. Keeping a good roof over your head is the job of a roofer.

More information New York State Roofing Contractors Association Inc. 176 Washington Ave. Albany, NY 12210 (518) 465-7663

Roofers work on either flat roofs, which are found mostly on industrial and commercial buildings, and pitched, or angled roofs which are common on houses.

Eighty percent of houses in the United States have asphalt shingles covering the roofs. Work on homes normally involves laying roofing felt, nailing overlapping rows of shingles and then waterproofing the areas around the nailheads, using roofing cement.

The work is difficult, with a lot of climbing, bending and heavy lifting and having to labor in extremely hot conditions during the summer. As part of their duties, some roofers also waterproof masonry and concrete walls.

Most roofing work in this area is done in the spring and summer due to the usually poor winter weather. Peter Hamilton, sales engineer with Upstate Roofing Inc., says that while his company does do some work in the winter, "This year Mother Nature's been kind to us'' allowing the company to handle more jobs than usual.

Approximately 75 percent of the roofing work done involves repair or reroofing on existing buildings. According to Hamilton this is where more experience and training are needed to handle issues like asbestos and insulation.

Common practice is for workers to start out as "laborers,'' helping the more experienced roofers carry materials, construct scaffolding and do other various jobs. As they work their way up they begin to cut materials and lay shingles and are slowly given more responsibility.

Hamilton says that "the job potential is there for someone who can work with their hands'' and is willing to learn. Advancement possibilities include becoming a foreman, or with more training and experience, estimators or inspectors.

With the growing number of buildings in the country, the need for roofers will remain constant and be less susceptible to poor job markets. Jobs are more plentiful in the spring and summer months as companies hire additional employees.

According to the 1996-97 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median salary for roofers in the United States was $387 per week in 1995, with the top 10 percent making in excess of $630 weekly.

-- MICHAEL BUSS
Democrat and Chronicle