It comes as no surprise to discover that the weather is responsible for most types of roof deterioration. How seriously they affect your roof will depend on a lot of factors including:
- Proximity to the coast (extra rust)
- Type of roof (tiles need to be checked more often)
- Sun exposure (North facing roofs get more sun and will weather more quickly)
- Extreme weather (high winds and hail)
- Vegetation (trees can damage roofs)
- Lichen, moss and algae (Speed the deterioration of tile roofs)
If you’ve got a metal roof, you’ve got less to worry about
It’s pretty obvious. Tiles can break or crack. They can be dislodged by extreme weather conditions too. Tile roofs are also good substrates for moss, algae and lichen. The effect can be quite pretty, but they do damage the roof. Tiled roofs should be cleaned periodically to remove these growths. Tile roofs should be checked once or twice a year and may require immediate maintenance.
Metal roofs, on the other hand, are much more sturdy and durable. The main thing you have to look out for are flaking coatings and rust. A relatively new home shouldn’t have these problems, but if your home is twenty years old or older, it may be a good idea to get a professional in to have a look – or have a look yourself. Check for any signs of rust and consult a pro if you find anything that makes you feel a bit worried.
Roof paint
If your metal roof’s paint is flaking, or your Colorbond roof has passed its twenty or more years’ guarantee period and is showing signs of the coating deteriorating, it’s time to paint your roof. If the roof has already begun to corrode, you may need to start planning ahead for re-roofing. Older metal roofs are not as corrosion resistant as the modern Colorbond roofing. Choose a professional contractor and don’t take any chances with ‘quick fix’ solutions that simply don’t work.
Patching or re-roofing
Patching roofs with membrane, sealant and paint can work and the patches could last too, but if you keep on having problems after patching and new leaks continue to appear, it may be time to consider re-roofing. Luckily, it’s not nearly such a huge job as you might expect – as long as you haven’t left things so long that the supporting structure has been damaged. If you’re in need of advice, talk to a roofing professional and get their best advice and a quote for the job they propose doing.
Watch your trees
A garden with beautiful trees is a lovely thing to have, but do watch your trees. Overhanging branches can damage roofs that would otherwise have been good for a few more years of service if they bang against the roof when the wind blows – and there’s always the danger of whole tree limbs breaking off during high winds and falling on your roof. Being alert and getting advice if you suspect there may be a problem is the answer!