Workplace RelationsROOF TILER
Roof tiling is one of the more traditional trades, while history indicates tiles were first baked as long ago as 2700 BC, tiling appeared to first emanate out of Greece in the 7th century and became more mainstream in the 1200s. Today tiling is a significant part of the building industry.
Roof tilers cover structures with roof tiles, slates or shingles to form waterproof surfaces.
What does it mean to be a roof tiler?
A roof tiler may perform the following tasks:
- Examine drawings, specifications and work sites to determine materials required
- Assess risks
- Erect ladders and tile elevators
- Place and secure roofing underlays over eaves and nail or staple to roofs
- Correctly space and nail wooden strips called battens, across the roof rafters on which the tiles will be placed
- Install aluminium, steel, concrete or clay tiles, stone slates, or wooden shingles
- Overlap successive layers of tiles and measure and cut roofing material to fit around vents, chimney edges, and the hips and valleys of the roof
- Fix roof flashings, and ridge caps and gable ends with cement mortar
- Clear the roof of debris when the job is finished
- Apply occupational health and safety procedures and processes to above.
Tilers may specialise in tiling new roofs, repairing existing roofs or removing old roofs and replacing them.
Roof tilers' work involves a lot of bending, climbing and lifting. They work outdoors in all weather conditions. Particular care has to be taken in wet weather.
If you are performing these tasks in your job, don't write off your skills - consider getting them recognised!
What personal qualities do you need to be a roof tiler?
- Interested in practical work
- A good sense of balance and coordination
- Good with your hands
- Prepared to work at heights and outdoors.
Qualification
The Certificate III in Roof Tiling requires 17 units of competency - 13 units are compulsory and 4 units may be selected from the list of elective units (individual competency units gained in one qualification or sub-sector stream may also be used as a credit for any other qualification or sub-sector in which the unit is listed in the table as either core or elective).
Click here to view the self assessment questionnaire for a Certificate III in Roof Tiling.