Ep 10. Hot Tar Roofer

In Dirty Jobs season 1 episode 10, titled "Hot Tar Roofer," host Mike Rowe takes on the task of working as a roofer who specializes in hot tar roofing. Mike travels to Seattle, Washington to meet the crew at North Star Construction, who specialize in this difficult and demanding type of roofing.

Mike starts his day with a safety briefing and is suited up with all the necessary protective gear. He then climbs up ladders and onto the roof where he observes the team already at work. He watches as they heat up the molten tar in a large tank using propane torches and then transfer it into buckets. They then take these buckets up to the roof and pour the hot tar onto the surface. This process must be done quickly and accurately before the tar cools and solidifies making it unusable. The tar also has to be spread evenly to ensure there are no leaks.

Mike is then tasked with assisting the team in laying down a membrane over the layer of hot tar, which is necessary to help insulate and prevent leaks. The membrane comes in giant rolls that have to be measured, cut, and then carefully rolled out and positioned on the roof. Mike helps with the cutting and transporting of the rolls and even gets to use a propane torch to bond the layers together.

Throughout the day, Mike learns just how challenging and physically demanding working as a hot tar roofer can be. The heat generated from the tar and propane torches makes for a grueling work environment. The team works hard throughout the day, often spending hours at a time on the roof, sometimes taking breaks only to carefully rehydrate.

Mike also learns about the various safety hazards associated with this job. The high temperatures and hot tar can cause serious burns and the team must be careful to avoid stepping in the hot tar, which could cause them to lose their balance. The steep incline of the roof also means that they must be careful not to lose their footing and fall off the roof.

Despite the demanding work conditions, the team at North Star Construction takes pride in their work. They explain to Mike how important it is to install roofing that will last for decades and keep homes and businesses safe and dry. They rely on their years of experience and knowledge to ensure that each job is done to the highest standard.

By the end of the day, Mike has gained a newfound respect for the hardworking hot tar roofing crew. He realizes just how important it is to have skilled workers who are willing to take on the tough and often dirty jobs that keep our infrastructure running smoothly. Through his experiences on this episode of Dirty Jobs, Mike has gained a new appreciation for the value of hard work and dedication.