Your roof is quite possibly the most crucial component of your home. Whether you have a steel or tiled roof, its primary purpose is to keep you and your family safe and dry from the harsh Australian climate. It’s with this in mind that roof maintenance is essential.
Unfortunately, no matter how well you try to maintain your roof, there’s always the risk of leaks developing over time. When this happens, locals opt for the roof leak repair Melbourne roofing companies recommend. It’s also essential that you routinely check your roof to detect leaks as early as possible.
Leak Warnings to Look Out For
A leaking roof can cause severe damage to the structure of your home, your possessions, and of course other roof components. In addition to this, water build-up in your home can also cause medical conditions such as asthma and other respiratory conditions. Our experts share the most common signs of a roof leak that should never be ignored.
Water Marks on the Walls and Ceiling
The clearest sign that you should be keeping an eye out for is water stains on your ceiling. Severe water leaks will also cause water marks on the interior walls. These marks are usually brown or yellow and appear to have a different texture than the rest of the walls. Marks can be big or small and if not addressed urgently, can lead to mould and bacteria growth.
Peeling Paint or Wallpaper
Another indication that water may regularly be running down your walls is peeling paint or wallpaper. If you see peeling paint on walls that are fine in other areas, it’s essential to investigate and see where the water is coming from. The easiest way to do this is to feel where the wall is damp.
The roof area above the damp space is most likely directly under a missing or broken tile on the roof. Clean the wall to avoid mould growth and keep windows in the space open to dry out the damp. Ask your roofer to check the roof for broken or missing tiles.
Warped or Sagging Ceilings
When water seeps into your ceiling through a missing or broken tile, it usually collects in the ceiling. This will cause the ceiling boards to warp or sag over time. This will be evident by unevenness in the ceiling board surface. It can also present as a visible bulge in the part of the board where the water pooled. In severe cases, this can lead to your ceiling boards needing to be replaced.
Damaged or Missing Roof Tiles
No matter what the quality of your roof tiles is, they can become damaged over time. This is often worsened by the harsh Australian climate. When tiles break or become damaged, they create a space for water to get in.
Be sure to check your roof for broken or missing tiles whenever you clean your gutters. If you’re not keen on doing this yourself, it’s recommended that you sign up for preventive maintenance with your roofer. The roofing team will then clean your gutters and downpipes as well as check for damages and leaks.
Other services that your roofer can perform to keep your roof in tip-top shape include the following:
- Gutter repair or replacement: Gutters can become damaged from age, incorrect maintenance, and even increased rainfall. Old or damaged gutters and downpipes can be repaired, or if necessary, replaced. Consider adding gutter guards to reduce the amount of leaves that get stuck in the gutters.
- Roof cleaning and de-mossing: This process involves removing algae and moss that grows on roofs in high-rainfall and high-humidity areas. Failure to remove moss can cause moisture to seep into your roof and damage other roof components. Moss build-up can also hide other damages that can cause additional issues.
- Roof inspection and tile or shingle replacement: Basic roof maintenance includes inspection for loose tiles and shingles. Where possible, repairs are done. Broken tiles will need to be replaced. Your roofer will also check the roof membrane and other components for damage.
- Roof restoration: A general restoration process involves cleaning, repairing, and replacing minor components to extend the lifespan of your roof. This is typically a roof makeover.
- Roof sealing: In this process, loose roof components are repaired. Cracks and gaps are sealed with specialised roof sealant which can also stop minor leaks.
- Replacing timer fascia and eaves: These are the timber boards that are placed on the joints of your roof. They can become damaged as a result of blocked gutters or poor installation. When these are damaged, they will need to be replaced.
Final Thoughts
If you think your roof may be leaking, or you think you’ve spotted a broken or missing tile, it’s important to check for any of the signs listed here. Keep in mind that you don’t have to wait for a small leak to become a large problem before you call your roofing team. Addressing the problem early will reduce the damage done and the eventual cost to repair it.
