Roofing Basics. What do I need to know??

[Newboy1996]

Going for a job that involves some pitched roofing work (slate, cement,clay roof tiles), what do I NEED to know from a basic roofing point of view?

Sizes of roof tiles.
Spacing of roof lats.
Slates of different sizes on one roof.
Interlocking tiles.
Safe working on roofs.
Types of hand tools.

And so on.......??

 

[^woody^]

There is more to roofing than just the tiles.

Types of underfelt and uses for different reasons.
Leadwork
Mortar mixes
Condensation prevention (ventilation)
Material quantities per m2
Treatment at junctions and abutments and eaves etc
Most appropriate tiles/materials for specific conditions

But equally its about how to do the job - access, working at height, working safely, risks to others below, getting materials up to the roof and storage.

 

[noseall]

knowing the minimum pitches that any given tile can be fitted to, is very important.

smooth tiles can deal with shallower pitches than granular.

increasing the head-lap can afford you a shallower pitch.

ventilation of roof space.

understanding dry verge and ridge systems.

understanding slate roofs.