It’s no secret that Queenslanders enjoy some of the best weather conditions all year round. A subtropical climate means two distinct seasons of hot humid summers with high rainfall and tropical storms vs a drier winter period of balmy temperatures. These unique Queensland weather conditions are definitely a consideration when looking at a roof restoration and what kind of life span you can expect from your investment.
In general, you can expect your roof restoration to last between 10-12 years provided you
- perform routine maintenance to keep it in good condition
- use quality products and more importantly
- the products are correctly applied as per the manufacturer’s instruction to ensure you get maximum protection that will last for many seasons.
We have listed 3 types of roofs and their estimated life expectancy to provide you with complete protection throughout the seasons.
Severe thunderstorms and flash flooding in Queensland are a stark reminder that homeowners need to consider calling a professional roofing specialist to ensure they are season ready to withstand any adverse weather conditions.
With a free roofing inspection, you can
- be proactive in prevent any costly storm damage repairs from occurring
- ensure your roof is weatherproof by checking that there are no missing or broken tiles
- iron roofs are screwed down properly and
- fibro roofs are properly sealed to prevent any water or structural damage.
Metal Roofing
Metal or Iron Roof sheets are one of the more durable types of roofs available. Quality roof sheets can last up to 40 years and are relatively low maintenance. Some metal roofs like aluminium and copper are known to be susceptible to denting and a solid hailstone dent will not go unnoticed.
One of the most popular and standard metal roofs in Australia would have to be Colorbond and intended to last for many decades if properly, treated and maintained.
Tiled Roofing
Tiles are a durable roofing material and with a wide range of tiles available on the market it means your existing roof tiles can be easily matched. If you have a terracotta tiled roof you can expect the tiles to last for over 50 years and will not fade or discolour with years of sun exposure. While they are very durable they will crack if stood on or if large branches fall on them. Another issue, particularly with the older terracotta tiles, is that when the first moulds were made they were not 100 % identical meaning not all tiles came out the same size and leave spaces between the tiles on the roof resulting in water penetration during driving rain. Having Sarking (a thick, tar-coated paper) under the tile roof helps prevent any damage; Sarking is designed to guide any water that enters the roof cavity, down into the gutter.
The most popular and widely used tiles today are the concrete tiles, they would last many years provided again, that maintenance is carried out; they are durable and provide better insulation than metal roofs; however, as all types of roofs, they do require maintenance/repairs. With ground movements during dry weather, particularly in Brisbane where the majority of dwellings are built on clay, tiles will break, pointing (the compound used to seal the ridge tiles) will crack and they require maintenance & repairs. Also, the top coating of the concrete tile does wear out with time requiring re-coating with a quality roof membrane, it is aesthetics & maintenance in one step.
Fibro Roofing
Australia ceased manufacturing asbestos cement corrugated sheeting in the 1980s. When manufactured it was given a life span of 25 years. Asbestos poses a threat if it is interfered with by cutting, drilling, braking or any action that would cause the fibres to become airborne. So, if treated properly fibro roofs can be safe to live under. Water blasting or abrasive cleaning by any means is prohibited by law with steep penalties imposed on those ignoring them. The only means of restoring such roofs is
- by applying a coat of mould killing solution (not chlorine) to eliminate mould spores and prevent further mould growth
- Use a PVA based sealer/binder is liberally applied to seal the fibres and ensure adhesion
- Apply A coat of filler to fill the rough surface of the roof and give a smoother finish.
- Applying 2 coats of roofing membrane with a colour of your choice of colour and you’ve extended the life of your fibro roof for another 10 years.
A quality roof restoration can save you thousands and while different roofing materials have varying toughness and life spans you can extend this by performing regular maintenance and making sure your roof is cleaned regularly, is free of mould, sealed and primed correctly. High humidity and soaring temperatures take a toll on your roof and any severe weather will highlight any flaws in your roof. So, make a point to seasonally check your roof or better still schedule an appointment with our professional roofing specialists who will provide sound advice on a roofing restoration that will last you for years to come.
