Our Lidcombe project for Goodman and Richard Crookes Construction has started with a solid effort and is shaping up to be another successful project for our industrial roofing team. 

We are installing Stramit's Speed Deck Coolmax product, which is a clip fixed roof system designed to have improved SRI. The insulation used on the project is CSR Bradford's Anticon product, which is always a reliable and high performing product for us. The translucent sheeting is Ampelite's clearslide product to improve lighting in the building. Perimeter rail was supplied by Aldeck providing us with safe perimeter protection throughout the project.

Keep an eye on this project if you are in the area. Our team is working hard to delivery a fast program with high quality as you would expect from the Ideal team.

If you have an industrial project coming up, reach out to your team to learn more about how we can assist in delivering a high quality solution. Contact us now. 

Our crews have been working well over 12 months on this large industrial project include two major stages. They are completing both roof installation as well as wall cladding installation across all roof areas. This project is going to be a significant project for Sydney's west in preparation for the new airport and will be a milestone landmark for the local community. 

This program requires high level methodology and execution, which our team is proving to be the perfect fit for this kind of scope. We are delivering quality and speed despite recent weather conditions and other variables impacting productivity on site. 

Take notice of the custom colours on the wall cladding, which were custom painted to suit the clients requirements, and the Kingspan wall cladding that was specially imported from Europe. 

We take great pride in being part of this project and proving to the industry our great capabilities.

If you are interested in us quoting your next industrial project, contact us now.

This year has been tough for a lot of business, but through our innovative approach to construction, it has allowed us to to lead the industry through these unique times.  

In this blog post, we'll be highlighting the efforts of our wonderful Domestic team!

Our Domestic team have been working hard on some great projects across Sydney over the last month.  We have been completing projects in suburbs from all over including; Kirrawee, Miranda, Engadine, Toongabbie, Matraville, North Ryde, and more!

Here are a few of our projects that we have completed over the last month:

SafeWork NSW recently released a statement for Working at Heights in Construction. They’ve stated that, “inspectors are targeting work at heights safety, as part of our ongoing focus on reducing fatalities and serious injuries in the construction industry.”  (MBA, Issue 39 of 2020, 2 October, 2020)
 
 
Why is this happening?
This is happening because SafeWork has stated some unsettling statistics of falls that have been reported to them.  They’ve stated that, “so far this year, there have been 3 fatal and 25 serious falls reported to SafeWork NSW in the construction industry alone, 8 of which were falls through fragile or brittle roofs including skylights.”  (MBA, Issue 39 of 2020, 2 October, 2020)
 
SafeWork has found that their inspectors have continued “to see unacceptable compliance levels when it comes to working at heights on construction sites, with Sydney sites being the worst offenders.”  (MBA, Issue 39 of 2020, 2 October, 2020)
 
 
Here’s what you need to know:
“During the blitz, inspectors will focus on work near voids and edges, and on roofs. Inspectors will take a zero-tolerance approach to those putting workers lives at risk when it comes to working at heights.”  (MBA, Issue 39 of 2020, 2 October, 2020)
 
 
What we can do:
Safety is one of our core values and focuses as an industry leader. We continue to innovate and look for the best way possible to ensure our sites are as safe as they can be, and always seek new methods with the newest technology. In return, our own staff have complete confidence in their ability to complete their work safely and at a high level. This also allows for clients to have the peace of mind their site has minimal risk and exposure to any incident. 
 
SafeWork has outlined what we can do to protect our workers:
 

• Assess roofs for fragile and brittle materials and ensure controls are in place to prevent persons falling through the roof
  
  
• Provide adequate edge protection by using jump screens, scaffolding or guardrails - ensuring ALL components are in place
  
  
• Securely cover and visibly mark, or edge protect, all open voids/penetrations in formwork or concrete slabs
  
  
• Ensure scaffolds are installed, regularly inspected and maintained by a competent person, and that a handover certificate is provided prior to use
  
  
• Use a suitable working platform such as scaffolding, boom lifts or scissor lifts Provide workers with safe means of access and egress to work areas
  
  
• Only use fall restraint or fall arrest systems when edge protection or work platforms are not reasonably practicable
  
  
• Many falls take place when people are using ladders. You should consider whether an elevating work platform or scaffolding would be safer and more efficient. (MBA, Issue 39 of 2020, 2 October, 2020)

 
For more information see the SafeWork NSW website or call 13 10 50.
 
Our dedicated team consistently reviews and adapts our WHS management plan to ensure a thorough execution and our approach to safety is always relevant. With strong attention to detail, and adherence to current safety regulations and legislation, we have established a safety program that is unmatched. This has allowed us to be a leader in the industry with one of the top safety records and makes us a desired workplace for our staff. 
 
In addition to our outstanding safety measurements through our construction side of the business with Ideal Roofing, we also have this on our service side of the business through Ideal Asset Maintenance.  One of our programs is SAFETY+, which is dedicated to creating a safer environment for anyone accessing your roof systems.  Roof safety is a priority and - as we are now aware from SafeWork’s statement – it is more pressing than ever with heavy monitoring of compliance with current legislation and regulation across Australia. Building owners are forced to ensure all roof areas not only be current Building Code but also today's safety standards, otherwise they run large risk of fines and damages should an audit take place or injury on site. With this in mind, our goal is to ensure all our clients are protected and compliant with today's safety standards, and clients are informed with all alternatives for maintaining safety compliance. Using extensive resources, we offer services that can take care of all your roof safety needs annually.
 
For more information on our practices you can visit our WHS page; and if you’d like more information on our SAFETY+ program you can visit it here.
 
As always, if you have any further questions on how our program can fit your needs our team will provide you with the answers for you to make the right decision.  Give us a call on 1300 ASSET1 now!

Did you know that if you don’t wash your roof every six months your warranty will be void! We’ve recently received a letter from BlueScope themselves outlining the importance of roof maintenance.  
 
Why does this matter?
This means that if you experience any issues with your roof, and maintenance has not been routinely performed; it will mean your warranty is void and you and your roof will not be protected by it.
 
Here’s what you need to know:
The letter states, “The paint system on all exterior COLORBOND® steel products and the metallic coating on ZINCALUME® steel are both highly durable and decorative finishes. Simple maintenance of these finishes by regular washing with clean fresh water will enhance the service life of the product and help maintain the appearance. This is particularly true of areas that are not normally exposed to rain (known as “unwashed areas”).
 
“Regular cleaning of COLORBOND® steel or ZINCALUME® steel products in unwashed areas is a requirement of the BlueScope warranty. Details of BlueScope’s maintenance guidelines are published in Technical Bulletin TB-4 “Maintenance of COLORBOND® steel and ZINCALUME® steel” available here. Washing should be done six-monthly as a minimum, or three-monthly in locations such as coastal areas where marine salt spray is prevalent, or in areas where high levels of airborne dust/dirt or industrial fallout occur.
 
“In some cases, maintenance may extend beyond surface washing to include, but not be limited to, the removal of timber, debris and moisture retaining substances; separation from dissimilar metals and other incompatible materials; replacement of corroded fasteners; and/or reparation of the effects of human/animal traffic. When conducted regularly, these maintenance activities assist in removing potentially corrosive influences prior to the initiation of corrosion on COLORBOND® steel or ZINCALUME® steel and help promote extended service life of the product.”  (L. Olsen, BlueScope Product Advice – Maintenance of BlueScope Products, 10 June, 2020)
 
How WE can help YOU:
Our CLEAN+ program is designed specifically for building owners and asset management teams. As a certified roofing contractor and industry leader we deliver at the highest level for any building's roof washing needs while improving the integrity of the roof. 
 
What’s included:
Clean All Roof Areas
All roof areas, including gutters, are cleaned thoroughly with the correct procedure and equipment with a licensed technician. 
 
Water Supply & Safe Removal
Water will be supplied to the roof area and then safely drained, while debris will be safely removed from the roof area and from site. 
 
Written Report
A concise, detailed report will be completed with our achieved tasks and additional findings with photographic evidence.
 
Clients are often surprised to realise their roof area can be quickly covered in debris and require further cleaning shortly after completing roof washing. As the main protecting layer for your building against all elements, it can quickly collect damaging matter.  The main piece of information to take away from this is that in order to fulfil your warranty your roof should be washed six-monthly as a minimum, or three-monthly in locations such as coastal areas where marine salt spray is prevalent, or in areas where high levels of airborne dust/dirt or industrial fallout occur.
 
Using a certified roofing contractor is imperative to avoid further damage to the roof system and to prevent additional leaks through improper use of water and safety equipment. Often third parties cleaning roof areas cause more harm than good. It is also considered working at heights so any personnel cleaning the roof must be licensed.  Take the next step and contact us now for a free quote!

At the end of last year, we launched our sister company Ideal Asset Maintenance. One of our key services that we offer within our program PREVENT+, is certified reports.
 
Why does this matter?
This is new to the roof and wall industry standard for construction and set to pioneer and elevate the standard of the industry by using these reports to eliminate risk, improve quality of work and more.
 
Here are the different types of certified reports that we are able to provide, and why you need them:
​
Dilapidation Reports
“A dilapidation report is a report based on the current condition of a property at a given point in time. It records any existing damage, and the state of any particular aspects of the property that are likely to be affected by construction work, excavation or demolition.” (HIA, 2020)  What we’ve done is create a dilapidation report to ensure all your roofing and wall cladding works is completed according to the code and manufacturer’s guidelines by having a licensed professional properly assess all roofing components to avoid unforeseen costs and damages before it’s too late. 
 
Pre-Acquisition Reports
Prior to taking over a property, it is important to understand the implications of any existing faults that may exist or other weaknesses that will possibly have an effect on the asset and your investments.  This can be achieved by completing a comprehensive evaluation of the roof and wall systems to ensure the work was completed according to specifications, and the builder/roofing contractor has complied with all necessary codes and guidelines before assuming risk and liability.
 
Roof and Wall Audits
Having a licensed technician complete a roof and wall audit periodically is critical for identifying unforeseen issues proactively and getting an improved condition report of all components to improve forecasting long term.  These reports consist of thoroughly evaluated roof and wall components, detailing the issues found or ones that will occur if repairs and maintenance are not actioned.  Additionally, photos are accompanied with each issue and recommendation. A roof and wall audits are recommended to be carried out annually or at least every six months in geographical locations that are heavily affected by atmospheric debris or corrosion rates.
 
Project Consultation Reports
Project consultation reports included using a licensed technician to provide third party support and advice throughout a project, both in design stage and project works.  By doing this, it will have a significant impact reducing margin for error and risk and improve the quality of the project overall.  Our licensed technicians will be able to evaluate the quality of work along the way and point out where components and practices need to be adjusted to meet standards. Therefore, eliminating risk and preventing the roof and/or wall from needing repairs or maintenance early then expected.

​These certified reports are here to protect your investments whether you are a real estate investor, homeowner, property manager, builder, whoever.  By utilising these reports, you are not only protecting your investments, but you are protecting yourself from potential future issues and financial loss.  It is critical to have the ability to keep up with today’s fast paced environment, including improved forecasting and decision making, and the desire for more dynamic information regarding an asset for higher return on investment.  Ideal Asset Maintenance has the technology and services to bring peace of mind and value that has never been seen before.
 
Contact us now on 1300 ASSET1 or admin@idealam.com.au for more information.

These last few months have been tough for a lot of business, but through our innovative approach to construction, it has allowed us to to lead the industry through these unique times.  

We have been lucky enough to work on some amazing projects currently and over the past several months throughout Sydney.  We have been completing projects in suburbs from all over including; Marsden Park, Rydalmere, Homebush, Smithfield, Sutherland Shire, Bankstown, Granville and more! 

Here are a few of our projects that are finished or are in their final stages:

Be sure to be following us on all of our social media platforms to see how these projects and others progress! 

If you have a potential project that Ideal can assist you with contact us on 02 9525 2066 or info@idealroofing.com.au and one of our helpful team members will get back to you! If you would prefer to request a quote use our form, and one of our estimators will contact you shortly. 

 There a few things you need to know about how temperature can affect your roof, and the ways you can prevent it from causing further damage to not only itself but to other elements of your home and/or property.
 
First things first, how are high temperatures effecting your roof and is your roof compensating?
One thing that most people will know is that heat causes materials to expand. This means that during high temperature months your roof will be expanding on the hottest days, it’s not usually noticeable but it’s enough to have an effect on the roof’s surface.  If your rooftop was not properly installed with the necessary materials, it will not be able to endure this expansion force.  This can lead to many damaging issues to not only your roof but rooftop components, systems and the structure of your building. 
 
A very important material for your roof is an expansion joint.  “An expansion joint or movement joint is an assembly designed to hold parts together while safely absorbing temperature-induced expansion and contraction of building materials, and vibration, or to allow movement due to ground settlement or seismic activity.”[1]  This means that when your home or property was being built, it was built with the idea that it’ll need to compensate for when it expands and constricts with temperatures.  Without this, your building structure is not safe, and is literally opening itself up to leaks and other damages.
 
What is something to consider when upgrading or replacing your roof?
When picking a colour for a metal roof, white and lighter shades will assist in reflecting sunlight and avoid your roof from attracting and absorbing an abundance of heat.  Black and similar shades of roofs are expected to be at least 10 degrees hotter than other roofs.  It’s important to remember the large volume of thermal energy that your rooftop will absorb during the hottest days. The heat will bleed into your home environment and make your air conditioning system work extra hard. This inevitably effects your energy costs, you are more than likely to spend more money on air conditioning costs, and energy costs to cool the interior of your home due to the fact that your roof is absorbing more heat and creating a hotter environment within your home or property.  Also, for anyone without air-conditioning these homes will be more uncomfortable that it already is on an Australian hot summer’s day.
 
What particular Sydney climates actually cause damages to your roof system?
There are particular months that on average are hotter or colder than others, and ones to be mindful of once the season is over. With an average high-temperature of 25.9°C and an average low-temperature of 18.7°C, January is the warmest month in Sydney, Australia. [2]  The coldest month in Sydney is July, with an average high-temperature of 16.3°C and an average low-temperature of 8.1°C. [2]  However, it is when there are extreme fluctuations in temperature that your roof endures the worst effects of expansion and contraction.  This is described as thermal shock, when air temperature varies greatly from day to night within a single day. [3] This also occurs when living in an area that has hot summers and cold winters, this is one of the main causes for failing details such as weakened nails, and cracked flashings.
 
As most of us are well aware, Australia is known for its storm season, and earlier this year in Sydney we experienced 30-year record breaking storms. This is one of the many reasons why a metal roof system is the better choice, as they are more endurable against moisture damages and leaks that typically come with storms and large amounts of rainfalls.
 
What do we know and what can we do to help?

• your roof will be expanding on the hottest days, usually noticeable but it’s enough to have an effect on the roof’s surface

 

• If your rooftop was not properly installed with the necessary materials, it will not be able to endure this expansion force.  This can lead to many damaging issues to not only your roof but rooftop components, systems and the structure of your building. 

 

• When picking a colour for a metal roof, white and lighter shades will assist in reflecting sunlight and avoid your roof from attracting and absorbing an abundance of heat.

 

• Black and similar shades of roofs are known to be at least 10 degrees hotter than other roofs.

 

• You are more than likely to spend more money on air conditioning costs, and energy costs to cool the interior of your home due to the fact that your roof is absorbing more heat and creating a hotter environment within your home or property.

 

• The warmest month in Sydney is January, with an average high temperature of 25.9°C.

 

• The coldest month in Sydney July, with an average low temperature of 8.1°C.

 
Now that you have this information about how temperature can damage your roof, the best way to prepare for these situations or to find out if your roof has experienced these damages is to book an inspection through Ideal after the summer and winter seasons have passed so we can tell how well your roof has recovered from these effects.
 
If you have further questions about how your roof may be affected, give us a call.  Our team will provide you with the answers for you to make the right decision.  Call us on 1300 ASSET1 now!
 
References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expansion_joint
2. https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,Sydney,Australia
3. https://pmsilicone.com/temperature-extremes/

 Storm damage and atmospheric debris is one of the main reasons for roof leaks and damage to the interior of buildings, costing building owners thousands, if not millions of dollars over the lifespan of a roof system. Ensuring your building is watertight at any time is critical while weather continues to wear down details. 
 
Thanks to years of accumulated data, we know there are evident patterns when it comes to the weather in Sydney, New South Wales. This allows us to know what to expect and plan ahead for those inevitable seasons and months. This is incredibly important information, especially for homeowners and property owners/managers; knowing which months will have the highest amount of rainfall/hail and strongest winds during the year can allow you to prepare your roof, protect your assets and plan your budget. 
 
How much does it rain in Sydney, and what Months have the most rainfall?
In Sydney, during the entire year, the rain falls for 143.4 days and collects up to 1212.1mm of precipitation.  Looking at the graph below, we can see that March through June is the period with the highest amount of rain throughout the year, with March accumulating 129.2mm.  However, June is the month with the most rainfall in Sydney, Australia. Rain falls for 12.5 days and accumulates 131.9mm of precipitation. [1]

What is the windiest month in Sydney?
Averaging at 13.8 km/h (8.6 mph), November is the windiest month, whilst March is the calmest at 11.3 km/h (7.0 mph). [2] Clients are often surprised to realise their roof area can be quickly covered in debris and require further cleaning shortly after completing roof washing. As the main protecting layer for your building against all elements, it can quickly collect damaging matter.  It is important to notice when wind has recently been high; although you may not see it – a build of debris could be occurring causing blockage in gutters and drains leading to major drainage issues such as heavy ponding, that otherwise could have been avoided.  High winds can also cause roof components to blow off or become loose leading to future leak areas from caused damage. There also can be cases where mechanical/electrical equipment becomes loose and blows around the roof causing damage leading to a leak.
 
What is the month that hail occurs the most in Sydney?
Hailstorms occur most frequently between October and February (spring and summer) in NSW, with peak activity in November and December. The hail season in Sydney begins 2 months earlier (August to February). However, during the last 14 years there has been a shift to November to March. [3]  For metal roofs – if not taken care of immediately - hail can cause dents in the sheets and chip away at the top layer of paint, causing the life of your metal roof sheets and flashings to end prematurely. Early corrosion can occur in significant dents if ponding occurs, this can cause the paint to fracture and leads to structural weak points within the sheets.  However, metal roofs don't suffer as much as tile roofs. In recent hailstorms, tile roofs have been damaged the most and needed more repairs, this further adds value to why metal roofs are better.
 
What are notable events we have experienced so far this year?
Between 7 and 9 February 2020, the Sydney metropolitan area received its heaviest rain in 30 years due to an east coast low (which is unusual in the summer). The storm brought vast flooding and strong winds that caused commuter chaos and left over 20,000 homes without power.[4] The city recorded around 391.6 mm of rain within those three days, more than three times the average rainfall for February. Thousands of people living in depressed areas, such as those in Narrabeen and southwest of Sydney near Georges River, were told to evacuate due to billowing floodwaters and rising river levels. At least 200 people were rescued by emergency services during the stormy weekend. Warragamba Dam, which was only at 42% in capacity, reached as close to 70% after the deluge.[5][6] The last time more than 300 mm of rain fell in two days in the city was in 1992, in addition to being the wettest four-day period since 1990.[7]
 
In the late evening of 18 February 2020, over 60,000 lightning strikes hit the Sydney area,[8] with wind gust over 100 km/h being recorded in some Sydney suburbs. The storm toppled trees, damaged properties and left tens of thousands of homes without power.[9]
 
What do we know and where to we go from here?

• March through June is the period with the highest amount of rain throughout the year. June is the month with the most rainfall in Sydney, Australia. Rain falls for 12.5 days and accumulates 131.9mm of precipitation. 

 

• November is the windiest month, averaging at 13.8 km/h.

 

• The hail season in Sydney begins 2 months earlier (August to February). However, during the last 14 years there has been a shift to November to March.

 

• Between 7 and 9 February 2020, the Sydney metropolitan area received its heaviest rain in 30 years due to an east coast low, and

 

• In the late evening of 18 February 2020, over 60,000 lightning strikes hit the Sydney area, with wind gust over 100 km/h.

 
Now that you have all this information, you now know the impactful months in which rain, wind and hail activity occur and how they can affect your roof.  You can now prepare your home or property in advance to avoid costly emergency repairs and protect your assets.  Preventative maintenance is the best way to prepare; designed to offer dynamic information for improve forecasting and budgeting while also preventing leaks and emergency repairs.
 
Be proactive and call us right away to ensure the repair costs do not become premium emergency repair costs and your investments stay protected. Our professional team is ready to service you right away and provide answers to any other queries you may have. Call us on 1300 ASSET1 now!

In light of the developments around the COVID-19 situation, we are wanting to announce that Ideal Roofing and Ideal Asset Maintenance will be operating business as usual.

We want to assure you that the health and wellbeing of our customers and employees continues to be paramount. We are doing everything we can with the current situation to continue to deliver our services, while taking strict measures to ensure the safety of our team and customers.

The situation around COVID-19 continues to develop, with many unknowns during this time. We want to assure you that we are continuing to monitor the situation closely and following the government updates vigilantly to ensure we are keeping our team and customers safe.

Thank you for your continued support. 

Stay safe and healthy, and if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to email us at info@idealroofing.com.au or ​adminiam@idealam.com.au OR call us on 02 9525 2066