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If your roof looks old and tired, you might be thinking to yourself that it needs a restoration. The paint has faded, there is moss and lichen growing on your tiles, your gutters are rusted and leaking and some of the tiles and ridge caps are cracked. “A pressure wash and re-coat, with replacement of the cracked tiles and ridge caps might suffice,” you think to yourself. But what you may have missed are other issues that can be lurking beneath those surface-level issues. Maybe a complete roof replacement would better suit your needs. Here is what you need to know:
There are generally three types of roofs in Australia: cement tiled, terracotta tiled and Colorbond. Zincalume steel is a more cost-effective alternative to Colorbond. Tiled roofs generally last up to 50 years before needing a complete replacement, while Colorbond steel can last for 70 years or more. Despite this, tiled roofs may require some restoration work every 20-30 years. Australian conditions can be harsh on our homes and tiles can slip or crack, due to high winds, hail, or heavy rain. Colorbond is tested against Australian weather conditions, including fire, rain, hail, and high winds. Zincalume lasts up to four times longer than regular galvanised steel, but is more susceptible to rust, de-colouration and other issues than Colorbond.
Issues often found with tiled roofs include, cracking, slipping, the growth of moss and lichen, and sagging. Tiles are far heavier than steel roof sheets, so after a couple of decades, they can weigh down on the structure of the roof, causing the roof to sag. This is particularly prevalent with older homes. Years of heavy rain, hail, or snow fall and attacks on your trusses by wood-eating insects like termites can also place your roof under stress. If the structure of your roof becomes compromised, you may need to replace your entire roof, rather than simply restoring the look of it.
Issues that can be fixed with a relatively simple restoration, include the growth of moss and lichen, cracked mortar, tiles or ridge caps and faded paint. The solutions for these are cleaning, bedding and pointing, replacing broken tiles and re-sealing and re-spraying, respectively. The age of the roof is also a factor. The original tiles or steel can last for over 50 years if taken care of but may require freshening up every two or three decades or so.
So how do you determine whether it would be more beneficial to you to restore your roof or replace it completely? Well, diagnosing the problems is the first step. Booking a professional roofing contractor to come out and inspect your roof will provide you with the best idea of what the issues are and how to tackle them. Once you know what you’re up against, you can start to look at the pros and cons of restoration v. replacement.
The older your roof is and the more damage it has, the more likely you are to have to replace it. Especially if the structure of your roof has been compromised. Sagging is often a good indicator of this. How long you plan to stay in the house can also be a determining factor. If you plan to sell, having a roof that badly needs attention could devalue your house, but conversely, if you plan to stay in your home for a long time, it would be more beneficial to you long term to just replace the roof.
If your roof has been well looked after and it isn’t extremely old, you may be able to book a restoration and have it washed, re-sealed and/or re-sprayed. Sometimes, bedding and pointing needs to be done to replace deteriorating mortar between the tiles and ridge caps, but if tiles and ridge caps aren’t falling off or badly broken, your roof probably doesn’t need to be replaced.
A complete roof replacement may be more expensive initially, but it is worth the upfront cost in the long run. Restoration is a medium to long-term fix which costs less initially but, due to factors such as location and climate, may have to be done again in the future. While the general rule of thumb dictates that the older the house and the more damaged the roof, the more likely you are to need a full roof replacement, always check with a professional roofing company or contractor if you are unsure about what your roof needs.
Top Glaze Roofing Systems are a licensed and experienced roofing company that have been servicing Melbourne and its surrounding suburbs since 1987. To organise a professional assessor to come out and provide a free no obligation roof report and quote for all your roofing needs, call 1800 88 77 98 anytime.
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