Hard hat? Check. Ladder? Check. What else do roofers need? Showing up without the right equipment is one of the nightmares of any trade. Tools make roofing easier and more efficient, allowing you to get projects done faster than ever. There are thousands of tools out there that can be used for roofing jobs, but there are a few that DIY roofers and professional contractors will always have in the toolbox.
That is why we have put together a list of the tools every roofer needs to get a job done quickly and professionally.
The Essential Roofing Tools
Here are some tools that roofers cannot live without:
Magnetic Sweeper
There are many versions of magnetic sweepers but most of them roll. Having either a handheld roofing magnet or a sweeper is an essential tool, because magnetic sweepers simplify the clean up. You can gather things like loose nails, screws, staples and some debris that would be left behind otherwise. These magnetic sweepers are not just for the roof either. You can run them over gutters, the lawn, and other confined spaces.
Tape Measure
Another important tool is the tape measure. Most roofers are going to have a tape measure attached to their utility belts, usually one that measures 25 feet (7.62 meters) at least. A tape measure can help you calculate how many shingles per section of the roof, help you keep things in alignment, and so on.
Roofers may also pair up tape measures with something a chalk line, or a snap line. These tools are the ideal way to align your shingles properly across a horizontal or vertical guideline.
Trowel and Bucket
Spreading cement? Then you are going to need a trowel and bucket. The trowel is used for smoothing out the cement, and the bucket holds the cement. A flat-nosed trowel is perfect to digging up the bottom of the bucket so you can use all the cement. Also, consider getting a roofer’s ridged back. These buckets have special bottoms that allow them to sit on shingles or tiles without sliding. The bucket is also made of high-grade plastic and a ladder hook attached.
Hammer
The roofer’s real best friend. A roofing hammer can not only remove and add nails to the roof. It has a special design—a spike to create holes. You might also see some roofing hammers with claws to help extract nails or ones with magnetized heads to heighten accuracy.
Hand Saw
How are you going to repair or remove rotten wood if you cannot cut it away without damaging the surrounding boards? While most professional roofers are going to have an electric circular saw or a reciprocating saw in their toolkit, the more traditional hand saw is always available. Simple cutting needs nothing more than a simple hand saw, especially if you don’t feel like running an electrical cord up to the roof.
Roofing Nailer
Another must-have tool for every roofer is a nail gun. Sometimes, you need to more swiftly but precisely. That is where a quality roofing nail comes in handy. And while most roofers still carry the typical hammer and nails up to the roof with them, bigger jobs require something was faster output. A decent nail gun can place 100 nails per minute. Plus, you only need one hand to operate it, unlike the hammer-and-nail set up.
Utility Knife
The roofer’s toolbox wouldn’t be considered complete without a utility knife. There are several options you can chose. A retractable knife usually comes with replaceable razor blades, so you can swap out the knife’s blade without needing to go to the toolbox for another size. After all, cutting through asphalt shingles takes a bit of work. You can’t just tear them apart—you need a durable, sharp utility knife.
Roofing Ripper
A tool dedicated to ripping, prying, and pulling out nails. You can use roofing rippers on any kind of shingle, whether it is made of wood, ceramic tiles, asphalt, or cedar. Overall, it is a versatile tool that doesn’t damage roofing structure, which is very important with doing a professional job.
Moisture Detection Tool
One of the first things a roofer should do is inspect the roof for damage. Sometimes, the damage is not always blatantly obvious. Moisture detection tools help you “see” where the potential damage could be hiding. These tools are extremely accurate. You should be able to locate water damage, mold, and leaks with a decent moisture meter. If you do find moisture, then you need to repair it as soon as possible.
All-Purpose Cutters
A lot of materials go into replacing and repairing a roof. When that happens, you need something multi-purpose that can cut roof shingles, vinyl, gutter aluminum, sheet metal, and everything in between. Multi-functional cutters can also be used to cut and bend wires.
All-purpose cutters can be an adequate substitute for utility knives, especially since they have rubber handles. Either way, having a good cutting utensil, whether it is a cutter or knife, can speed up roofing projects exponentially.
Caulking Gun
When doing roofing repairs, a roofer will undoubtedly pull out a caulking gun. Instead of trying to squeeze the tubes by hand, you can use a caulking gun to evenly distribute the caulk. A decent caulking gun will be designed to prevent dripping and have a comfortable, ergonomic grip.
Utility Tool Belt
Last but not least: the utility belt. A tool belt is the most practical piece of equipment any roofer will have. Aside from the practicality of having your tools right on hand, you can increase productivity and work speed. This also holds your tools and other materials safely, out of the way, so you are safer while working.
Conclusion
There are hundreds of tools a roofer will consider essential, but the ones listed here are going to be used by roofers everywhere. The main goal of having these tools on hand is efficiency. With the proper tools, you can progress throughout the project faster than if you didn’t have these tools.
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