The specifications for re-roofing jobs in many instances contain items not normally encountered with new construction work. It is very important to remember that you are now roofing a building where the owner may have employees working, special equipment and processes are set up inside, landscaping and exterior finishes are completed, paved roads and sidewalks lawns etc. exist. In the re-roofing specifications, the owner may consider it necessary to have their property, contents, and employees protected more explicitly than in new construction. Therefore, it is essential that prior to starting a re-roofing job the roofer thoroughly read over the re-roofing specifications, so that they will become well acquainted with exactly what has to be done and the manner in which it must be done.

The following items are the most important on any re-roofing job.

• Protection of the building and its contents against rain and inclement weather.
• Protection of roof drain systems from being clogged with debris.
• Proper loading and staging materials on the roof deck.
• Proper removal of tear-off debris from the rooftop.

It is the supervisor’s duty to calculate the amount of work that the crew is capable of doing and make sure that no more existing roofing system is removed than can be properly made watertight at the end of each day. Remember, if the weather conditions are threatening, it may be necessary to make the roof watertight on very short notice.

Roofer foreperson should check the local weather forecast regularly. If in doubt they should further check with their employer.