Tools and terms of the trade

You don't need to know how to use any of these tools. But knowing what they are helps you read a quote, understand what the crew is doing, and notice when a step gets skipped. Here's the short version, from the ground up.

Measuring the roof

Roofing square

A square is 100 square feet of roof, a 10 by 10 foot area. It's a unit, not a tool, and it's how quotes and insurance estimates count material. Bundles per square vary by shingle; GAF lists three for Timberline HDZ and five for Grand Sequoia. If two quotes list very different square counts for the same house, ask why.

Pitch and the pitch gauge

Pitch is how many inches the roof rises for every 12 inches it runs, written like 4:12. A pitch gauge is a simple tool for reading it. Pitch matters to you because it changes the rules: low slopes need extra underlayment, and steep roofs take longer and cost more.

Drones and aerial measurements

Many roofers photograph and measure roofs with drones. Anyone flying one for business needs an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and a registered drone, flown under 400 feet and within line of sight. Drone photos are a good first look but don't replace hands-on checks; see how inspections work.

Tear-off

Tear-off shovel and pry bar

The tear-off shovel has a toothed blade that slides under old shingles and pops the nails loose. The pry bar pulls nails and single shingles during repairs. Why you care: tear-off is loud, shakes the house, and sends debris over the eaves, which is why crews tarp your flower beds.

Dumpster

Old roofing goes straight into a bin, usually on your driveway with plywood underneath. Plan for it to block the garage; see the re-roof process.

Putting the roof on

Ladder hoist

A powered lift that carries shingle bundles up the side of the house. Carrying heavy bundles up a ladder is unsafe, so a hoist is a sign of a crew that plans ahead.

Chalk line

A string coated in chalk that snaps straight layout lines across the deck. Straight lines keep shingle courses even and nails in the right zone. Wavy courses on a finished roof often mean lines weren't snapped.

Roofing nailer and coil nails

A roofing nailer is a pneumatic gun, run by a compressor, that drives nails fast. It uses coil nails, roofing nails joined in a coil, often wire-welded at 15 degrees. Why you care: nail placement and depth decide how well shingles hold in wind. Manufacturers like GAF specify the nail size, the number per shingle and that each one is driven flush, not too deep and not too high.

Roofing hatchet or hammer

For hand nailing in spots the gun can't reach and for pulling nails. Most crews keep one handy even when they nail with a gun.

Utility knife, hook blade and tin snips

Knives cut shingles and underlayment. Tin snips cut metal flashing and drip edge. Clean, fitted flashing cuts are one of the details that separate careful work from fast work.

Safety equipment

Harnesses and fall protection

Federal OSHA rules require residential construction workers 6 feet or more above a lower level to have fall protection. That means guardrails, safety nets, or a personal fall arrest system (harness, lanyard and anchor). Alternatives are allowed only under a written site-specific fall protection plan. Why you care: falls are a serious hazard, and a crew that skips protection may skip other things too. It's also worth confirming your roofer carries liability and workers' compensation insurance; see hiring a roofer.

Roof brackets and toe boards

Metal brackets nailed to the deck hold a board that gives workers footing on steep slopes. They get removed as the job finishes, and the nail holes are covered by the next course.

Cleanup

Magnetic sweeper

A rolling magnet pushed across the lawn, driveway and beds to pick up stray nails. Why you care: missed nails end up in tires, lawnmowers, bare feet and paws. Crews should sweep daily on multi-day jobs. Walk the yard yourself afterward, especially along the drip line under the eaves.

For more terms you'll see on a quote, from drip edge to step flashing, see the glossary and how your roof works.

Common questions

What is a roofing square?

A square is 100 square feet of roof, a 10 by 10 foot area. Quotes and insurance estimates are priced by the square, and the number of bundles per square depends on the shingle.

Are roofers required to wear harnesses?

Federal OSHA rules require residential construction workers 6 feet or more above a lower level to have fall protection, such as guardrails, safety nets or a personal fall arrest system. Alternatives are allowed only under a written site-specific plan.

Do roofers need a license to fly a drone over my house?

Anyone flying a drone for business needs an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and a registered drone. Asking to see the certificate is reasonable.