Roof Restoration in Australia: How to Know If Your Roof Needs It (And What It Actually Involves)

Every Australian homeowner faces one particular point at which he looks up while standing in his backyard and says to himself: “It can’t be right up there.”

Broken roof tiles. Stains. Moss growing along the ridge. Or a wet spot on the roof of the ceiling that hadn’t been there earlier.

What comes next is often very predictable: Should I get this fixed or should I replace the entire roof?

And that decision could save or cost you a lot of money. Here’s what to consider in making it.

What Roof Restoration Actually Is

Roof restoration is a comprehensive process done on an existing roof which serves to extend its lifespan and make it waterproof again, without removing it entirely.

Proper roof restoration consists of:

– High-pressure cleaning of moss, lichen, dirt and other debris that trap moisture and cause the roof to degrade.
– Individual replacement of broken and damaged tiles instead of tearing out the entire roof.
– Repointing and re-bedding ridge capping since the mortar used to hold the ridge tiles in position breaks down over time and becomes one of the most important sources of leaking.
– Applying a good membrane coating that waterproofs the roof and improves its appearance.

Conducted effectively, roof restoration can increase the life span of a tile roof from anywhere between 10 to 15 years.

The Signs Your Roof Is a Restoration Candidate

It’s not always necessary for a deteriorating roof to undergo the process of restoration. However, should any combination of the below symptoms be observed, it may be time to schedule an inspection from experts:

• The development of moss or lichen on the roof tiles, especially in shady spots or along valleys — these types of organisms retain moisture on the roof and hasten the process of cracking.
• Damaged, cracked, or dislodged tiles – such issues can be fixed with a roof restoration.
• A ridge capping mortar which appears to have cracks or gaps running along the peak line of the roof.
• Fading, loss of color, or patchiness of the tile surface — although these are merely cosmetic problems, their appearance shows that the protective layer has worn down and no longer offers adequate weather protection.
• Leaks during rainfall — minor roof leaks caused by cracked roof tiles, damaged flashings, or exposed ridge cap.
• None of these signs alone indicates the necessity of a roof replacement; however, together they make the perfect profile of a candidate for roof restoration.

When Restoration Isn’t the Answer

However, it should be mentioned that there are cases when roof restoration cannot help. This occurs in cases when the roof battens or the deck beneath the tiles is severely deteriorated; when more than 30-40% of the tiles are damaged; when the roof leaks for years due to negligence and has already affected ceiling/roof insulation – in all such cases roof replacement will be recommended instead of restoration.

At Astar Roofing, each and every roof is evaluated taking this into account. In cases when roof restoration can help, clients will know about that as well as about all procedures involved. When roof replacement is more reasonable choice, clients will learn about this as well.

What Roof Restoration Costs in Australia

The cost will depend on factors such as the size of the roof, its tilt, the condition of the tiles, and how much repair work needs to be done. The average cost for a typical tile roof repair job in Australia is between $2,500 and $6,500. The only way to get an accurate quote would be to have one conducted at the site.

Astar Roofing offers free quotations and inspections for homes, ensuring that the client understands the full scope of the job before making any commitments.

A Roof That’s Done Properly Lasts

The quality of the roofing restoration depends entirely on the quality of the roofing restoration team. Taking shortcuts like cheap repointing jobs, poor quality coating products, and inadequate cleaning before painting will significantly reduce the life span of the outcome.

Through Astar Roofing, the restoration process in Melbourne and Australia is known to be executed in the right way – comprehensively, openly, and with excellent craftsmanship. Each of their restoration projects undergoes inspection and comes with a guarantee.

Roofs that display signs of deterioration listed above will have repair costs which always exceed the costs incurred due to delays.