 Deciding on your ideal roof might seem like a challenge. It is a big investment and it will be strikingly visible to the outside world. It’s easy to spend a lot of time debating fittings, cupboard handles and sink design but choosing the right roof is often a decision that gets left to the last minute. In this article we will discuss some key considerations for getting the perfect roof for your house. Colour In some respects, colour is a topic that is quite individual. It will depend upon the colour of your walls, your neighbourhood and how much you want your house to stand out, both from the street and from the air. Despite that, some colour choices are definitely more environmentally friendly than others. A white roof will reflect more solar radiation back into the atmosphere and space than a black roof. This also means a white roof will heat up in the sun more slowly, and this is important for Sydney where it can get quite hot as a hot roof means the air conditioner will probably be running more in summer and that is going to cost you money. MATERIAL There are plenty of different materials you could employ to build a roof, but for the sake of this article we will only discuss three of the most common. If you are interested in other options talk to a roofing specialist. SLATE Slate is a popular choice for roofing because it can last a very long time and is resistant to rot and mould. The main drawbacks of slate roofing are that it requires extra framing to support the extra weight and can be quite expensive. Asphalt Asphalt shingles are the cheapest and most common roofing tile choice. They are relatively lightweight, come in a great variety of colours and are easy to install. However, due to their weight they are also liable to blow off in windy conditions. Metal Metal is extremely lightweight, recyclable and highly reliable. They are fire-safe, durable and require significantly less maintenance than roofs with tiles. They also have an extremely long life span and can be coated in a range of environmentally friendly radiation reflective coatings. Durability The lifespan of your roof is directly related to two key factors. Professional workmanship and choice of material. If your roof is installed by an amateur it probably won’t last as long as the material should. Metal, cedar and slate roofs should last in excess of 50 years. Asphalt tiles might be cheaper but can only be expected to last in the vicinity of half of that time, so consider that you will be purchasing another one in the lifetime of the building. Major weather events and falling objects can naturally significantly affect the lifespan of your roof. If you are worried about overhanging branches, contact an arborist. Professional Installation is Key Once you have decided on the perfect roof for your home it is imperative to have it installed by a roofing professional. It is the only way to ensure safety and durability because roofing is very much a trade where you don’t know what you don’t know. Poor installation can damage materials, and greatly increases the risk of the roof failing and letting water into your home. Additionally, choose a quality company that has a wide range of experience across the roofing sector. A company that installs commercial, industrial and domestic roofing products is good, and a company that also maintains and repairs all roofs is better. Contact Ideal Roofing to get your Ideal Roof Today If you would like an expert roof consultation from one of Sydney’s biggest roofing companies, look no further than Ideal Roofing. Not only can we build and install the finest metal roofs, but we also service, maintain and repair them to the highest standard. Contact us today and we will set up an appointment right away. Call us on (02) 9525 2066 or use our online form.
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 It is a simple fact of life that most people don’t spend a lot of time inspecting their roofs for problems. Even if you do spend a lot of time looking at your roof it’s difficult to see all of it considering so much is above eye level. If you have concerns regarding your roof it is best to have it inspected by a professional, even before a problem may become evident. In this article we will discuss some common types of roof damage and explain why it is important to get any problems addressed quickly. Pooling water Pooling water anywhere on your roof is a problem. It should be investigated as soon as possible to avoid the problem propagating to internal problems of water damage. Punctures and Penetrations Roofing involves several layers and they are all liable to be damaged by hail, wind and falling debris. Areas of roofing surrounding penetrations, such as air intakes, chimneys and sunlights are particularly prone to damage and should be inspected regularly. Lack of Maintenance Unfortunately roofing requires considerably more maintenance and upkeep than most building owners dedicate to the task. Even if you don’t have a problem now, if it has been years since you have performed any roof maintenance it is best to hire a professional to give you peace of mind. GUTTERING Gutters should be cleaned regularly for more than just aesthetic reasons. Clogged guttering can be a fire risk but more commonly, it creates undue stress on the edge of your roof. It causes the gutters to drain slowly, leads to contamination of water tanks with organic residues. TREES Overhanging trees can cause significant damage to roofs. Not only do limbs pose the problem of potentially falling and causing significant damage during a storm but continual rubbing can loosen roof components or destroy protective surface coatings. If you are concerned about any overhanging trees you should contact a qualified arborist to perform a thorough inspection. PESTS Birds, possums, rats, mice and termites can all cause significant damage to internal and external structures. If you are concerned about any of these pests talk to an expert about having them relocated or dealt with. Don’t let Small Problems Grow Roofing problems are not going to fix themselves. Indeed, they are one problem best considered by the age old adage of a stitch in time saves nine. Any small concern or visible damage should be investigated by a qualified professional before the problem snowballs. A small repair is always going to be cheaper than having a whole roof replaced. Contact Ideal Roofing to Fix Your Roof Ideal Roofing are roof maintenance professionals based in Sydney. With more than 40 years of experience working in industrial, commercial and domestic roofing and are experts at installing, servicing, fixing and maintaining roofs. Though we specialize in metal roofing we have plenty of experience servicing other materials too. If you need your roof fixed in Sydney call us today on (02) 9525 2066 or contact us online.  4 THINGS THAT CAN INDICATE ASBESTOS IN YOUR HOME Asbestos – the word alone conjures negative associations that range from property damage to chronic sickness, and with good reason. The harmful mineral was used for decades as a source of insulation for properties all over the globe, without any knowledge of how deadly prolonged inhalation can be for the human body. Fatal diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestos are often the result of anyone who comes into frequent, prolonged contact with asbestos fibres. In the 21st century, it is illegal to use asbestos for any means, but many homes and warehouses still contain asbestos from construction of years past. To become informed, read about the 4 things that can indicate asbestos in your home. SMALL WHITE FIBRES Asbestos can be found all throughout a home. This can include floor tiles, water tanks, pipe insulation, roofs and gutters, just to name a small sample of places. When looking in one of these many places throughout your property, you should look for unusual white fibres around the edges of the material in question. Asbestos fibres clump together and tend to look furry and fluffy in appearance. Always exercise extreme caution when looking for asbestos. The material is least dangerous when it is left undisturbed, so you should never go to great lengths to try and uncover it. ASBESTOS JOINERY 40 x 6 mm wooden battens were commonly used in the past to cover the joints used on external corners, internal corners and flat wall pieces. These strips of joinery are often concealing harmful fibres and have traditionally signaled that the material initially used was asbestos. Please be aware that plastic joiners were also used in the early 1980’s when asbestos was still used in building and construction. If you have these joiners in your home, contact a professional to organize an examination and removal. LOOK FOR BLUNT NAILS Asbestos sheeting becomes dangerous whenever it is shattered and fractured, causing irreversible respiratory damage to anyone who comes into contact with the material. However, instead of using an alternative material, contractors would use special nails to fix asbestos to the wall more effectively. These nails are characterized by their blunt, flat end. Instead of being hammered into the sheeting they would be punched in using special instruments, and hence would not have the usual point like other nails. Finding these blunt nails is a potential sign that your property may have been built using asbestos. LOOK FOR MARKINGS THAT INDICATE ASBESTOS Asbestos products that were manufactured in the 70’s and 80’s will often have markings that will identify the material as asbestos. The label will be marked with a message that simply reads “Contains asbestos”. Finding potential asbestos in your home is a serious matter. If you are concerned about potential asbestos in your property, contact the professionals at Ideal Roofing for guidance, advice and testing. We are fully certified, trained and licensed asbestos contractors.  The 4 Most Common Roof Leak Causes and How to Fix Them A leaky roof can cause a great deal of frustration and anguish every time significant rainfall occurs. Having to put buckets down under the leaky spot, losing paperwork to the leak and the constant dripping sound at night are all common annoyances during this period. You also risk more serious damage and costs through the water damage that a leaky roof will inevitably cause. While some roof damage occurs through general wear and tear, some is directly related to unexpected damage to specific roofing areas. At Ideal Roofing, we have compiled a list of the 4 most common roof leak causes to help you understand and resolve your roofing problems. 1. Cracked Flashing Flashing is the thin pieces of metal installed under your roofing shingles. It creates a barrier for your home against wet weather and other wild conditions. This barrier is often sealed with tar by roofers and can be broken or penetrated over time from natural wear and tear. When this seal is broken, flashing is left exposed, allowing elements such as wind and rain to affect your property. 2. Broken Shingles Broken or missing shingles are the easiest problem to spot on your roof due to the fact that shingles make up the outer layer of a roof. Damaged shingles are identifiable by the holes, cracks and patches that will pepper your roof. Similar to cracked flashings, shingle damage occurs after general wear and tear. 3. Your Skylights Were Not Properly Installed If you notice wet spots underneath your lights and moisture forming around them, it will be quite clear that your skylights are the cause of your leaks. These leaks are really easy to spot and are much easier to fix than structural damage to flashings or shingles. These leaks occur thanks to improper measuring and fitting of the lights upon installation. 4. Blocked Gutters If you see leaves sticking out of a gutter, this is a sure sign that there are blocked gutters nearby. You will also notice that there is no water trickling out of a downpipe, indicating that the gutters are not doing their job. These leaks are very easy to fix yourself and don’t really require professional help. We suggest using a straightened coat hanger to prod away the blockage and release the trapped water. CALL A ROOFING SPECIALIST TODAY WHATEVER THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, IF YOU ARE FACED WITH A LEAK IN YOUR HOME, WE ADVISE SEEKING PROFESSIONAL HELP IN MOST CASES. THESE PROBLEMS USUALLY REQUIRE A ROOFING PROFESSIONAL TO REMEDY THE UNDERLYING ISSUE AND REPAIR YOUR LEAKY ROOF. WITH PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE, YOU CAN ALSO BE SURE OF A JOB WELL DONE. Don’t put up with an annoying leaking roof any longer. Contact Sydney’s roofing experts at Ideal Roofing for no fuss roof repairs today.  Metal Roofing – What Do I Need to Know? Deciding on the right roofing for your property is not always as simple as it seems. The consequences of a poor roofing choice can be costly for your home and your hip pocket for many years to come if you don’t do proper research and understand your options. Metal roofing is one option that deserves serious consideration when making a decision on your property’s vertical protection. This versatile material has become more and more popular throughout Australia for its unique qualities and protection from the harsh Australian environment. At Ideal Roofing, it is our pleasure to guide you through this process by demonstrating some of the pros and cons of using metal roof sheeting for your new roof. Superior Durability and Longevity The number one advantage of using metal roof sheering is the longevity it will provide you. It’s said by many in the roofing industry that metal roofing will effectively last as long as your house. Materials such as steel and aluminium are proven to last longer than alternate roofing sources such as wood, asphalt or tile thanks to their unique, weather resistant properties. Not only is metal resistant to fire, mildew, insects and rot, but it is also effective in preventing water damage to your property, ensuring that you are protected from the elements all year long. EASE OF INSTALLATION Metal roofing generally comes in lightweight sheets between 12 and 36 inches that are easily installable by any contractor. These metal sheets are also easily transferable from supplier to home, meaning that transporting materials is a simple task for your contractor. Installing your roofing in a speedy fashion will also safeguard your home from potential rain or storms that may occur during the installation process. COST The most commonly quoted downfall of metal roofing is the cost to purchase and install when compared to its competitors. Indeed, metal roofing can cost more than other roofing alternatives, leaving you with a larger initial outlay. However, this initial cost you incur will be offset by future savings thanks to the superior durability of metal. While you may have to replace a tiled roof multiple times over a property's life span, metal is a near certainty to last the duration if installed correctly and in the right environment. Interested in learning more about the properties of metal roofing? Simply contact us today to speak to our team of roofing professionals. |
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