Author: smg

Your roof plays an important role in protecting your property from the elements while keeping its inhabitants and the contents safe and dry. To ensure your roof continues to protect your property it’s essential to implement basic maintenance which includes a roof inspection.

This beggars the question “how often should a roof inspection be carried out”.

Roof inspections are one of those important tasks that are forgotten by the majority of homeowners. Depending on your particular residential or commercial property there are numerous factors that determine the regularity of roof inspections. When you think about how your roof protects the building beneath it, it’s only natural for wear and tear to occur. The good news is that you can combat wear and tear by paying more attention to your roof and learning how often it should be inspected.

What to look for during a roof inspection

Even if you have considered a roof inspection or wondered how often you should have one, it’s unlikely that you know what to look for during such an inspection.

How often you have your roof inspected boils down to certain factors. Perhaps you’re wondering if you could simply inspect the roof yourself. Well, sure. There are certain things you can look for even without any expertise, tools, or other equipment. There are a couple of things you can look out for from the ground. These include:

Cracked roofing materials

One of the easiest things to look out for are tiles that are cracked or chipped. While minor breaks will be difficult to see from afar, any major breaks should be visible from the ground.

Signs of moisture

The other easy thing to check for is signs of algae, mould  or grime. If you do notice some mould it’s likely that your roofing materials will appear discoloured in areas.

There are, however, some things that need to be inspected by a professional roofer and may be what a person has in mind when they ask, “how often should a roof inspection be carried out?”

Naturally, if you have noticed any faults in your roof from your inspection then it’s important to call out a roofing contractor as soon as you can. They can determine the severity of the problem and decide what work needs to be done to repair it.

There are a few questions you can ask during a roof inspection including ‘what is the extent of mould and broken roof materials?’, ‘What is the condition of the caulking and mortar?’, ‘ How about the flashing and seals?’

Reasons to carry out a roof inspection

There are some situations where your roof should probably be inspected, including:

• Following a big storm
• If you notice a leak coming from your ceiling

If you want to file an insurance claim, it will be necessary to have it inspected first by an accredited roofer.

Why does your roof need to be inspected?

If you’re wondering how often roof inspections should be carried out you need to know why your roof needs inspecting in the first place. The main reason is to ensure your roof is safe and by the same token that your family and house contents are safe too.

Regular roof inspections help to diagnose and fix small problems before they become bigger and more expensive. If you’ve recently purchased a property then a roof inspection can also reveal its condition and whether it needs repair or replacement.  Naturally, new homes won’t require as many roof inspections as older properties.

If you’re still unsure how often a roof inspection should be carried out, then why not start with one now by booking a FREE roof inspection courtesy of The Roofman. Get in touch today by calling 0410 452 234 or visit our website for more information.

Do you worry that you may have an emergency roof repair but aren’t exactly sure that your roof problem would be considered an emergency by anyone else? Don’t worry, The Roofman is here to explain all you need to know about emergency roof repairs.

If you think that your roof needs an emergency repair then you’re probably right. The roof of your house is a vital part of your property and not only protects your home but all of its contents too. Over the past 25 years, we’ve lost count of the number of roofs that we have serviced. We provide a wide range of roof solutions and are one of the leading roofing companies in Brisbane. So, let’s take a look at some of the most common emergency roof repairs.

Emergency Roof Repair

Typically, the most common roof repairs that we get called on to fix are:

• Broken or missing roof tiles
• Roof leaks, cracks, or punctures
• Torn underlayment
• Loose roof nails
• Damaged flashing, fascia or guttering

Let’s look at these in more detail.

Broken or missing roof tiles

Missing or broken tiles are definitely considered an emergency roof repair. While tile roofs can last up to 50 years that doesn’t make them immune to unexpected hail or rain damage. Missing or damaged roof tiles mean your home is no longer water tight and may be exposed to leaks.

If your property has an underlayment you could be at even more risk of further damage. The role of the underlayment is to provide additional moisture resistance for your property and when it’s exposed to the sun, for example, it can start to deteriorate. Missing or broken tiles can also expose the underlayment to rain which may cause it to rot over time. So now you can seen why broken or missing tiles should be dealt with immediately.

Roof leaks, cracks and punctures

This is one of the most common roof jobs that we service and is classed as an emergency whether you have a big or a small leak. Roof leaks are particularly dangerous because they can trigger electrical issues and if the water pools on part of the roof, it can cause ongoing damage to the home

Torn underlayment

We’ve already mentioned that the underlayment acts as further protection for your roof and contents of your home. If a tear occurs it should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid exposure to leaks and moisture damage.

Loose roof nails

These are often caused by environmental issues that can’t be controlled such as temperature or by poor roof installation. Searing hot temperatures can cause roof nails to expand causing them to pop out of place. Since nails are used to hold other parts of the roof in place, loosening can cause other areas of the roof to become mispositioned.  Loose nails can also lead to corrosion.

Damaged flashing, fascia or guttering

Fixing damage to the fascia, flashing or guttering immediately will protect your home and its contents. Together they work to provide protection from water and cover open or exposed sections of the roof. They also provide a flushing system that directs the water to more manageable locations. Damage to any one of these roof elements can lead to potential water damage.

Ultimately the roof of your home is there to protect your property, its inhabitants and its contents so it has a vital role to play. Our durable roof metals, tiles, and premium finishes mean The Roofman can provide a solution for any type of roof repair and carry out emergency roof repair. If you think you may have an emergency roof repair call The Roofman asap and save yourself further damage and expense. If you haven’t had a roof inspection in a while, The Roofman also provides a FREE roof inspection service. Call today on 0410 452 234 or visit our website for more information

If you’ve ever had to discuss your roof with a roofing contractor you’ve probably noticed that we speak a lot of roofing jargon. One term that often floors customers is ‘roof valley’ so we thought we’d use this article to shed some light on the subject and keep you informed.

It may seem odd to learn that you have a valley on your roof. It’s a term for the place where two roof surfaces meet together and it’s also one of the most common places for a roof to leak. These joins or roof valleys are typically covered with non-permeable materials such as roof rolls or metal sheets to keep out the moisture.

The definition of a roof valley

The majority of a roof is made up of a large flat expanse that’s normally covered with non-permeable materials such as slate or metal titles or asphalt shingles that serves to protect both the roof structure and the interior of the property. When two different roof surfaces come together it creates a valley. This valley or channel is intended to allow moisture to run off the roof.

Why flashing in valleys is so important

If your roofer states that there is a need to put flashings into a roof valley it’s because he is concerned that moisture could enter between the joins. Flashing is used to create an impermeable seal in the channel.

A build-up of leaves and debris in the channel is the reason that often roof valleys deteriorate faster than any other sections of the roof. Simply put, if a roof valley is clogged, the water is unable to run off. The accumulation of debris causes the flashing to weaken and corrode.

If your roof is leaking, a roofing contractor will often inspect the roof and find that the source of the problem is a leaking roof valley.

The Roofman offers a FREE roof inspection and will present you with a detailed report and a no-obligation quote for any repairs that need doing. Even if you don’t have a roof leak, it’s still recommended to inspect your roof on a regular basis as problems spotted early are easier and cheaper to repair. If you need assistance with your roof give the Roofman a call on 0410 452 234.

Often people make the mistake of thinking that their roof isn’t an important consideration when it comes to valuing their property. This is far from the truth. Not only does your roof protect your property and its contents but it’s also one of the biggest and obvious features that people notice when they look at your home.

With this in mind, it’s important to know how much the roof impacts the value of your property and what should you be doing to make sure it retains that value. So, let’s dive in and take a closer look.

Curb appeal

One of the prime considerations, when your house is being valued, is its curb appeal. First impressions can make or break a person’s decision to place an offer on your property. As any real-estate valuer will tell you, your home’s exterior should be clean and welcoming and match the photo. Often the roof is the first thing that a prospective buyer looks at and it may be that a new one is needed to update your home. A lick of paint can also work wonders for your home’s appearance. A restoration would in most cases be more cost-effective than a new roof and will add value to your property.

The Condition

As already stated, the roof is the one thing protecting your home and all that’s within it from the elements. If it’s in a poor condition, this is likely to be reflected in any offers that you receive from prospective buyers since they know they will have to spend money on it. Keeping your roof in tip-top condition probably doesn’t cost as much as you think and will likely save you money in the long run. The main concerns to look out for are leaks, broken tiles, cracked pointing, and rust or mould. These issues are easily rectified and not only will they extend the lifespan of your roof but they will also boost the value of your property.

Energy efficiency

More people than ever are considering energy efficient roofing. Not only are people more concerned about the increasing cost of electricity in Australia but many of them also want to lower their carbon footprint. If you can offer a home that has a well-insulated roof, uses electricity free ventilators such as whirlybirds or solar vents, and has a heat-reflective coating your home could appear extremely enticing.

So how much value will a roof restoration or a new one add to your property?

It’s hard to say because it all depends on many variables. However, research suggests that new roofs can add between 10% and 15% to your property.

A new roof won’t always offer you the best ROI so it’s always best to speak to a roofing expert to determine what is the best option for your home and budget.

Why not contact The Roofman. We provide FREE roof inspections and quotations and can help with all manner of roof repairs. Call today on 0410 452 234.

Every home needs its roof regularly cleaned by a professional who is skilled at his job. Consistent roof washing not only improves the curb appeal of a property, but residential roof cleaning offers other benefits too. Let’s dive in and take a closer look.

Residential roof cleaning prevents damage

While a cracked tile can cause damage to your roof, the type of damage we’re referring to is that caused by unwelcome plants and fungi taking a shine to your roof, such as lichen, mould, and moss.

You may wonder why your roof is growing a ‘green carpet’ and the answer to this is moisture and warmth.

These plants thrive in a warm moist environment which often makes roofs the perfect breeding ground. Unfortunately while your roof is intended to prevent water from entering your property, it can also become the reason for moisture to stay around longer than it’s intended.

Moss thrives in conditions that are damp and shady. Similar to algae and lichen its roots grow into the roofing materials and spaces between the shingles. It also retains moisture because it grows so thick and keeps the roof damp, causing deterioration to roofing materials while promoting further plant growth.

Moss can find its way under tiles causing them to warp, crack, or shift. Additionally, moisture held on the roof by moss and lichen can freeze when the weather is cold causing cracks in the roof. Moisture on your roof also becomes a breeding ground for mould which can pose a serious health risk if it gets into your home and can also expose rafters and other timbers to moisture which can cause them to rot.

Residential roof cleaning is a must for those selling their properties

A reliable roof is one of the first things that homebuyers look for. Even if it isn’t yet causing any damage it will cause anyone viewing your home to regard it as a ‘fixer-upper’ which is likely to result in low offers.

Professional pressure washing from The Roofman removes plant growth and other debris and restores the colour of your tiles and shingles, making your home look more attractive. A clean roof also lets us identify any cracked or warped sections which may need repair or replacement and we can give you a free no-obligation quote for any work that’s necessary.

Residential roof cleaning saves money

Whatever type of growths you have on your roof, the costs of pressure washing your roof, can save you money in the long term by extending the lifespan of your roof and saving you money on replacements or repairs. While a person may look at a roof and see imperfections that make them think they need a new roof, often it just requires a clean and this can save you thousands of dollars!

Summary

Never attempt to get on your roof yourself to inspect it. You could easily damage tiles and run the risk of injury should you lose your footing on slippery algae. The Roofman provides FREE roof inspections designed to detect and treat potential roofing issues before they become major problems.

If you’d like to know more about our residential roof cleaning service then please contact The Roofman. We service Alexandra Hills, Capalaba, Chandler, Gumdale, Redlands, and other areas around Brisbane.