Skill Requirements for Roofing and Bricklaying

The construction industry offers good employment opportunities to many people. The demand for skilled workers who carry out maintenance and repair services on buildings is always there. For that reason, the industry is less vulnerable to the effects of a slow economy. Construction workers can find employment in companies, organizations, general contractors and many others including:
• Building departments in local authorities
• Privately owned properties
• Building contractors and engineers
• Public sector and government departments
• Specialist contractors in the marine and chemical industries
• Working with building contractors abroad
Roofing and bricklaying are some of the trades in the construction industry that an individual can specialize in. Roofers create different types of roofing for residential and commercial buildings. A roofing expert can choose to specialize in either one of the two types of roofing- flat or sloping or both. These workers are exposed to higher risk of injuries because of the nature of their work, which involves working at heights. The workers therefore need to pass the working at heights CSCS test. This tests a person’s suitability for jobs that involve working at heights. Those who have a phobia for heights may not be suited for such jobs.
The work of roof slaters and tillers involves laying new roofs or repairing existing ones. They do this by laying slates and tiles in horizontal rows and starting from the bottom to the top of the roof. There Customize A House Online is also cutting of tiles to fit corners and gable ends. The technique of built-up roofing involves placing felt layers on each other. The roof is finished off with fibre cement tiles or granite chips.
Bricklaying on the other hand, is a similarly hands-on, skill and labour intensive job. Bricklayers build or repair existing structures or walls using different grades of bricks and other materials like structural tiles, firebricks, mortar and concrete cinder etc. Some of the structures made using these materials include walls and walkways, chimneys, archways, tunnel linings, patios, fireplaces, industrial furnaces and even ornamental walls. Like with other trades, bricklayers should possess some vital skills in order to carry out their duties effectively. These include the ability to read, analyze and interpret documents, good with calculations, problem solving and organization skills. They should also be hands-on people who like precision tools. The work also requires one to be precise with proportions.
During construction, the engineers and designers’ work is to set out the positioning of the walls. Bricklayers then use their tools of the trade to cut bricks and complete the walls. They must also ensure that the walls are straight and on level. This is mostly done on larger construction sites.
For smaller projects however, bricklayers could bring their own bricks. Typically, a bricklayer will lay hundreds of bricks in a day. Bricklayers who have worked Simple House Plans 4 Bedrooms for a longer period will normally work fewer hours than those in self-employment and are in the early stages of establishing themselves in business.
Bricklayers and roofers may find themselves working at construction sites most of the time. The working conditions may be harsh considering the dust and even harsh weather, noise and other risks associated with construction sites. The actual work can be quite strenuous as well and involves handling heavy tools and equipment. The workers therefore need to be physically fit, active and agile. Other requirements are teamwork and organization skills, good practical ability and good communication skills.