ROOFTOP VIEWS

Roof Preventative MaintenanceWhether you own or maintain a domestic, commercial or industrial property the cost of replacing your roof prematurely is always going to be more than maintaining it. The upkeep of roofs is important and in this article we will dispel some of the myths and discuss major dos and don’ts of roofs.

Inspect Your Roof

To maintain the longevity of your roof and address any problems before they cause more significant structural damage to your building, inspect your roof regularly. Look for anything unusual or irregular, mould, mildew, pooled water or visible damage. It is safer to do this with binoculars than to attempt climbing on your roof, not only is it dangerous but climbing on your roof can damage it.

Do Not Power Wash

A common roof cleaning misconception is that power washers are a good idea. Generally speaking power washers have the potential to cause more damage than they clean. They run at such pressure that they can strip microscopic and transparent protective layers and additionally they can drive water into crevices and fittings. While this might leave your roof looking great, using a pressure washer can create a pathway for future problems to develop.

If you do need to clean your roof, there are specialist roof cleaning products available but it is usually a better idea to hire a qualified professional to make sure the job is done right first time around. The added bonus of hiring a professional is that they can give you an appraisal of any other roofing issues that might need attention.

Remove Debris

Leaves, branches and other debris should be removed from your roof at your earliest convenience. Blocked guttering can cause a multitude of problems including pooling. Pooling in gutters creates excess weight that will wear down on the structural integrity of the roof over time. Additional organic and non-organic debris can accumulate moisture and lead to the propagation of mould. Be particularly wary of valleys in roofing between two joining slopes as debris here can lead to pooling during storms that increases the likelihood of water finding a way through your roof.

Fix Problems Early

The cost of reroofing is usually going to be greater than the cost of repairs unless you have several problems. It is worth considering reroofing if you do have an old roof with lots of problems but it is better to let an expert make this assessment. Some roofing problems can be fixed relatively cheaply, but all roofing problems run the risk of developing into more serious problems if they are not dealt with quickly and efficiently. 

Contact Ideal Roofing to Inspect, Maintain and Repair Your Roof

Learn more about our preventative maintenance program at idealroofing.com.au/prevent

​Ideal Roofing have more than 40 years of experience with roofs in Sydney. We are one of the largest companies in the industry and work with commercial, industrial and residential properties. We offer a complete range of roofing services and can give you a free quote today. Call us on (02) 9525 2066 or contact us online.

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.