7 Signs that your home need a roof restoration in Australia
Roof restoration is an important consideration and worth the investment as it ensures your home’s integrity and overall value. Your roof is the most exposed part of your home and absorbs the major brunt of the harsh Australian environment. As such, it is highly susceptible to damage, which can be troublesome for the residents.
This is why it's important to carefully observe all signs of roof damage or deterioration and resolve them as soon as you can.
The NSW Guide to Standards and Tolerances outlines the benchmarks for various roofing aspects. Homeowners, builders, and roofers can use it as the go-to resource, seek guidance for roofing projects, and assist in the inspection process.
The bottom line: Most homeowners understand the significance of roof restoration. However, what they don’t know is when to get it done. It mostly happens because people aren’t aware of the signs that indicate a damaged roof.
In this blog, we have shared common visible signs that can help you determine a deteriorating or damaged roof.
Spotting signs of roof damage
When looking for roofing signs, you should look at two places:
From inside the house
It’s often possible to detect signs of roof damage by looking inside the house. Signs such as light seeping in through the roof, dark spots, trails indicating leaks, etc., affecting several areas of your home are an indication that you need an immediate roof restoration.
From outside the house
Taking a closer look at the roof from the outside can also help to spot roof damage signs, which include:
Signs of wear around the roof valleys
Worn out or loose materials around the pipes, chimney, vents and other areas where the roof has been penetrated or sealed.
Signs of mould, rot or moisture
Any sign of damage or wear around gutters and downpipes.
Worn or curled tiles
7 Roof damage signs you should not ignore.
Here are the top 7 signs your roof needs restoring:
Damaged or missing tiles
While tiles are the most durable of all roofing materials, damaged or missing tiles are an open invitation to roof-related troubles for dwellers. They compromise the protective barrier of the roof, making way for outside elements like weather to harm the roof.
Damaged or missing tiles allow water to penetrate your roof space, potentially leading to leaks and other water-related damage. Further, the sun’s UV rays can accelerate the deterioration of damaged areas and weaken the roof’s overall integrity.
If you see a missing or damaged tile on your roof, it would be wise to seek roof restoration services in Melbourne for effective and timely measures.
Sagging roofline
Sagging is a phenomenon that shows up with age in humans and homes. If your roof has a visible sag in its external appearance, it is ageing and has considerable damage.
Most homes in Australia have straight rooflines that are symmetrical. If this symmetry is toppled and the roofline develops a sag, it is a sign that the roof is getting structurally weak.
If you detect a sagging roof, it’s time to invest in roof restoration. But if a sagging roofline is ignored, it might eventually lead to collapsing of the roof.
Leakage
If you notice water stains on walls or ceilings, along with dripping water in your attic, these are clear signs of roof leaks. These visible signs can compromise roof integrity, allowing water to penetrate your home’s interiors.
Neglecting such signs will only deteriorate the issue, leading to other problems like mould growth, structural damage and decreased air quality.
Timely intervention through professional roof restoration is the only way to prevent costly repairs and ensure the long-term integrity of your roofing system. So, if you see a leaky roof, immediately call the professionals for an inspection.
Colour Fading
The colour of the roof is one of the best indicators for determining its condition and age. If you notice fading roof, it is a potential sign that the protective coating of your roof has been deteriorating for the past few years. Without the protective coating, the roof will start to weaken and will be prone to damage.
Colour fading can be caused due to dirt build-up on the roof as well. If you pressure wash the roof regularly, there’s a good chance the colours and protective coating will stay intact. But most homeowners miss out on making this a habit.
Apart from being a sign of deteriorated protective coating, colour fading also adversely impacts the overall appearance of the roof. As a result, the property's value might be reduced when you plan on selling it out.
So, once the roof colour have started fading, it is better to take the help of professional roof restoration in Melbourne.
Mould or mildew growth
Mould growth is often a consequence of excess moisture levels stemming from a compromised roof. Blocked guttering and roof holes are some issues that can lead to bubbling inside your home. A deteriorated roof can infiltrate moisture, creating a favourable environment for mould and mildew growth.
These fungal developments are not just a visual concern but also impact indoor air quality, causing several health issues, like breathing problems or skin allergies.
Addressing the underlying causes of moisture buildup through roof restoration is crucial to prevent it and ensure a healthy living environment and safeguard your home's integrity.
Rust or Corrosion
Rust or corrosion is formed when they are exposed to moisture. It’s a sign that water is accumulating around fasteners and metal fittings.
The old metal roofs are more vulnerable to rust development, as the protective layers get eroded over time. Even though the newer metal roofs come with more advanced protective layers, they are susceptible to experiencing rust damage, depending on the material or location.
The homes built near the salt water will need added roof protection to protect the surface from rust formation, especially in the coastal areas. If you see other signs, such as flaking paint around the corroded area or rotting timber, call a professional roof restoration company to inspect the roof thoroughly and replace the rusted fittings and fasteners before they become a big issue.
Aged roof
Like everything, your roof has an expiry too. A rule of thumb is that any roof should last up to 20-50 years. Constant exposure to external elements, like weather, pests, and the environment, affects any roof's appearance and structural integrity.
If your roof is older than 10-15 years old but needs frequent repairs, having it restored is a good idea. Ultimately, restoring your roof will be less expensive than having to repair it frequently or replacing it altogether a few years later.
Conclusion
The roof of a house is what completes it and makes it inhabitable. As such, you need to check for roof damage signs every year. If you see any minor signs of damage, contact the nearest roof restoration services for a thorough assessment.
A professional inspection of the roof's condition can highlight the issues and their root cause and help you fix them before it's too late. If you are not vigilant enough or neglect minor roof issues, you might have to spend more to fix your deteriorating roof.