Benefits of Roof Restoration

Although asphalt shingled roofs are becoming more popular, particularly in newer homes, concrete tile is still the most prevalent and recommended roofing material in Australia today.

When it comes to maintenance and upkeep, roofs are the “poor step children” of most homeowners.  If a window breaks or a door sags or a porch stair is rotting, the defects are immediately obvious and in most cases immediately repaired.

We simply can’t inspect many areas of our roofs to see what damage or deterioration there might be.  Even areas that are visible are frequently overlooked until it is too late.  Broken tiles might be a cause for concern, but if the roof doesn’t leak, why bother?   Accumulated debris and discoloration might be an eyesore, but once again, if the roof doesn’t leak, why bother?

Sooner or later a roof that remains unmaintained will definitely leak.  It’s just a matter of time.  Once a roof begins to leak, what once might have been a minor repair may now very well be a major renovation.

There are other benefits to roof restoration beyond the prevention of leaks.  Broken tiles expose the wooden decking beneath to the elements leading to deterioration and possible failure.  Discoloration of the tiles often indicates the growth of algae and the formation of mold.  Algae, mildew, and crusted debris serve to trap moisture beneath them. If these conditions occur over broken tiles – which they frequently do – the moisture is trapped in the decking of your roof beneath the tiles.  Over time decking exposed to moisture will begin to rot and eventually collapse.  In extreme cases, homeowners could be looking at a big hole in the roof when rotten decking fails.

Restoring a tile roof should begin with frequent pressure washings to keep the roof clean and debris free.  Broken tiles need to be replaced from time to time and concrete tiles can be painted to enhance the appearance of the home.  Today, there are special energy efficient reflective roof coatings which will help lower your utility bills.  This paint in effect turns your tile roof into a solar reflector which reduces the effect of the sun beating down on your roof, making it cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Roof restoration is not a “do-it-yourself” project.  Tile roofs can be slippery and special equipment is needed to secure a roofer while repairing the roof.   Finding a good roofer is not always easy as it is difficult to inspect the work they might have done on another home in your area.  You can’t really determine the overall quality of a roof restoration without physically climbing onto the roof to inspect it.

Once you determine you will need to hire a roofing company for repairs and restoration, there are a few additional renovations you might want to consider.  Installation of roof vents increases air flow in attic spaces.  Whirlybirds, which contain a turbine that moves with the wind, increases air flow even more.  Skylights are a great addition to any home and as long as you’re going to have someone climbing around on your roof, why not see what it would cost to have one installed?  If you can afford to put one or more in, you’ll be glad you did!