If you live in the Melbourne area, you are certainly familiar with the vagaries of the weather! Extreme weather fluctuations and catastrophic weather events are unfortunately quite common. Floods, snowstorms, gales, hail, heatwaves, tornadoes, droughts, dust-storms, cloudbursts, Southerly busters and more are what residents have faced over the years.
As old-time residents joke, you can get all the four seasons in the space of a single day. In recent decades, climate change has caused even more variations in the weather.
One of the issues that residents face is the constant need to repair, replace or restore buildings, whether commercial, public or residential. Weather damage causes a range of issues that pose safety risks to life and property in the city or elsewhere in the country.
Your building can suffer structural damage due to high winds that can blow away parts of the roof, or cause broken branches and debris to accumulate on the roof. Heavy rain and snow result in roof materials getting destroyed or corroded. Humidity results in the growth of fungi and algae or other vegetation. When this is followed by extreme heat and dryness, your roof framework may warp and shrink, tiles may crack and break and the roof alignment may get distorted.
To combat these issues, the only strategy is to conduct timely inspections, ensure regular maintenance by roofing experts and to choose more suitable materials during repairs and restoration. Get in touch with eastern melbourne roofing for more information about options for repairing your roofing.
Weatherproofing and Roof Repairs: A Handy Guide
Weatherproofing your roof is important for several reasons. It isn’t only a matter of safety, though that is of primary concern and it is your barrier against the elements. If your roof isn’t 100% intact, your energy bills can spiral out of control very soon. This is because of gaps in the roof or damaged insulation.
A damaged roof makes your entire building look shabby and neglected, and it lowers the value of your property.
One of the first things to keep in mind is to design your roof and choose the right materials according to the prevailing climate. Sloping roofs are better equipped to stay strong in the force of heavy winds compared to flat roofs. If you have tiles or shingles on the roof, they can get dislodged or blown away.
If you own an older building, your roof may not be secure enough to withstand gale force winds. Some areas experience hailstorms and your roof must be made from materials that can cope with impact damage.
Schedule regular inspections for your roof at least twice a year, especially before and after weather transitions. These inspections must be done by a well-established, experienced roofing expert who has worked on roofs like yours.
Roofers generally conduct a thorough inspection that involves examining the state of materials and their capacity to withstand weathering. If tiles are broken or missing, water or hail damage on the roof, gutters and pipes being blocked, waterproofing sealant damage, microorganism or pest invasions, and leakage into the building and walls have to be identified and located.
Once you have the report you can fix up a time and date to conduct the repairs and maintenance work.
Apart from repairs, another crucial maintenance work is regular cleaning of the entire roof. If yours is a simple, small structure, it could probably be a DIY job if you’re up to it. However, with a complex, large surface roof, it’s wiser to hire professional roof cleaners at least once or twice in a year. Many roofing contractors will provide cleaning services as well as repairs, so you can check with your roofers whether they provide this facility.
Cleaning the roof means that you remove all accumulated debris. Winds tend to carry dust, dead leaves and twigs and deposit it on the roof. This debris accumulates and blocks your water-outlets and gutters, and will damage the surrounding structure. If you have a large garden and surrounding trees, bird-dropping is a major issue and the mess must be cleaned regularly to avoid health hazards and roof damage. The cleaners must remove moss, algae and vegetation that can cause damage and pest infestation. Timber frameworks are susceptible to termite infestation and damage, so watch out for signs of these creatures.
To continue with weatherproofing, ensure that the roof sealing is intact. There are several different types of sealant such as acrylic, silicone, polyurethane or butyl rubber. Your roofing contractor will suggest the best option. Sealants have to be inspected regularly to ensure that they are not cracked or bubbling due to weather changes.
Another important item on your weatherproofing project is keeping the surrounding areas free. This is relevant if you have tall trees in the vicinity that can shed leaves, twigs and branches. Trees also harbor birds and small animals that can use your roof as resting places. Keep the trees trimmed and prune them regularly with the help of a professional tree surgeon.
Ultimately, it’s about constant alertness and being conscious of how the weather can affect the longevity and safety of your roof. Hire a local roofing contractor and entrust the job to their capable hands so that you have peace of mind and a stress-free life.