Roof Restoration Insights from RANZ
Your roof is a critical element of your home’s protection and visual appeal. Over time, wear and tear can impact its functionality, making it essential to recognise signs that indicate it’s time to pay attention to your roof. Drawing insights from the Roofing Association of New Zealand (RANZ) and various industry sources, we present a comprehensive guide to help you make informed decisions about your painting your roof.
What Is Roof Restoration?
Roof restoration is not just about visual appeal but is a comprehensive renewal of your existing roof. It usually includes:
- Cleaning and removal of lichen
- Repairs, re-pointing/re-mortaring, or re-flashing
- Replacement of damaged tiles or roof sheeting
- Application of a coating system for protection and aesthetic enhancement
When Should You Restore Your Roof?
Restoration becomes necessary when the general condition and surface coating of your roof has deteriorated due to age. The goal is to upgrade and extend the life of your roof, along with improving its overall appearance.
Repainting Your Roof
The principal reason for repainting your roof is to recolour the roof, restoring the visual appeal of your roof and offering protection against aging and weathering.
Roof prep is an essential step before undertaking any roof repainting work. This includes undertaking necessary repairs, and thoroughly cleaning the roof surface. Application of the coating system must strictly follow the coating manufacturer’s instructions.
Critical Factors Before Roof Painting
- Do not attempt to restore a roof material that is beyond its useful life.
- Re-coating alone won’t solve issues like leaks, faulty laps, or severe erosion.
- Restoration is most worthwhile for roofs still within their useful life, providing a significant extension and aesthetic renewal.
Steps for Roof Painting
- Roof Clean – Clear debris from your gutters, and clean the roof using a specialist cleaning solution that will remove moss, algae, lichen and other contaminants.
- Roof Prep – Make any necessary repairs to flashings, guttering and replace nails (newer roofs use screws).
- Roof Prime – Remove any white rust if present and prime the affected areas with a product such as Resene Galvo One.
- Roof Paint – Use a specialist roofing paint compatible with Colorsteel. Adhesion primers may be required depending on the paint system you are using.
Roof Replacement vs. Restoration
RANZ recommends full roof replacement in severe cases such as pitting, extreme porosity, or when the roof material is beyond its useful life. It’s also advised for metal tiles or long-run metal roofing with severe rust that requires significant and potentially uneconomical repairs.
General Roof Cleaning and Maintenance
While full restoration can be an investment, regular maintenance is key to extending the life of any roof. This includes hosing down unwashed areas, especially those not exposed to natural rainfall. Additionally, the removal of organic growth, such as lichen or moss, is crucial and best handled by experienced roofing professionals.
Roof Safety
RANZ members, as professional roofing companies, are recommended for restoration and maintenance. Homeowners are cautioned against climbing or walking on their roofs due to both the risk of falls and potential damage to roofing materials. This is where Frontier Waterproofing can help. You can speak to one of our friendly team for a free quote on your roof.
Takeaways
Understanding the signs that indicate it’s time for care and attention to your roof is crucial for homeowners. By following RANZ’s comprehensive advice, you can make informed decisions about restoration, re-roofing, maintenance, and choosing reputable professionals. Your roof is a long-term investment, and with the right care and expertise, it can continue to protect your home for years to come.
