Roofers Reveal Their Strangest Jobsite Finds

Roofers share the strange, creepy and sometimes concerning surprises they’ve uncovered during tear-offs and inspections

creepy eyes under shingles — CREDIT: Generative AI image created via ChatGPT/Chris Pirrone

You never quite know what's hiding beneath a roof. Sometimes it's deteriorated decking or another layer of shingles. Other times, it's animals, trash, or evidence that someone has been living up there.

With Halloween approaching, RC asked roofers on social media to share some of the strangest, creepiest and most unexpected things they've encountered during tear-offs and roof inspections. The answers did not disappoint.

Little Vampires and a Rooftop Cactus

Charlie Hambrick recalled a crew discovering several nests during a tear-off. His mostly Spanish-speaking workers had a memorable description for the occupants: little vampires. That initially caused some confusion back at the office. The admin who took the initial call that day was quite confused at first, Hambrick wrote.

Justin Tweed, owner of Tweeds Roofing and Contracting Services LLC, offered perhaps the most unlikely example of rooftop vegetation: a cactus growing out of an off-ridge vent.

Robert Gillingham encountered something considerably more elaborate. "A marijuana growing operation in the attic,"he wrote.

Someone Was Sleeping Up There

Mike Neal, RRO, vice president of the Great Lakes Chapter of IIBEC, recalled finding what appeared to be someone's complete sleeping arrangement on a roof. "Pillow, blankets, winter coat, gloves, knit hat, and ear muffs," Neal wrote. "Sadly, we evicted whoever slept up there during their shift."

Roofers have also uncovered some potentially dangerous remnants of the past. Rick Damato, former editorial director of Roofing Contractor, recalled that one crew member kept an unusual collection on his desk: spent ammunition roofers had found while tearing off old built-up roofs. The collection consisted mostly of .38-caliber slugs.

The Scary Stuff Isn't Always Strange

Some discoveries are less amusing and potentially far more consequential for homeowners. Joey Silverman said some of the scariest things his teams encounter aren't on top of the roof at all. "Bath fans venting straight into the insulation, mold all over the underside of the decking," Silverman wrote.

Those discoveries can also demonstrate the value of documenting conditions during an inspection. "When a rep shows the homeowner that photo during the inspection, the 'yes' usually comes that same visit," he said.

Other roofers said they regularly encounter evidence left behind by previous crews. Proxy IMitigators reported finding everything from drink cans and bundle wrappers to an entire coil of nails rusting along the edge of a skylight during redecking work.

The comments reinforce what roofing contractors already know: removing an old roof can reveal decades of history and occasionally a few mysteries.

As Hambrick put it, "I am sure a book could be written on this subject."

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Tanja Kern is director of content strategy and managing editor for Roofing Contractor. She covers economic trends and the intersection of architecture, design, and construction, focusing on the forces reshaping the industry. She develops and amplifies content that connects roofing professionals with the intelligence they need to compete and grow.

With more than 20 years of experience, Tanja has written for national business, consumer and trade publications. She holds a Master of Science in magazine publishing from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.