Renovating a roof: the options

By Alex Brooks

A roof is literally the lid on the jar that is your home. It's the most important part of a structure - without it, the walls and floors would literally rot away. Most home owners can't see their roof until they climb on top or head to a neighbours' to get a good look - so we tend to ignore any leaks or problems until they are staring us in the face with leaks or rusted gutters. Here is what you can choose to do with an old roof:

1. Go for restoration

Before your roof has deteriorated, you may choose to extend its life with a roof restoration company. Restoration is largely appropriate for tiled roofs. Metal roofs can replace certain sheets rather than the entire roof, but it is easier to replace an entire roof at once rather than patching constantly. Tiled roof restoration is commonly performed on tiled roofs that require re-bedding and re-pointing, have broken and chipped tiles or have faded tiles. High pressure cleaning can be done to remove dirt and grime which has built up on your roof, affecting the appearance of your home. In some cases a treatment can be applied to remove algae, moss and lichen. The green lichen that grows on some tiles is a natural phenomenon that does little harm. If your roof is serving its practical role of protecting your home from the elements but the colour leaves a little to be desired, then you may decide to rejuvenate its appearance by repainting it.

2. Roof repairs

If that roof is leaking or sagging, it needs urgent repairs. Metal roofs might require sheet replacements or renailing. Tiled roofs usually require the replacement of cracked or damaged mortar and tiles. Old metal roofs may need to replace rusted surfaces and valleys. A roof plumber can identify the source of the problem and repair it. It can be difficult to identify where your roof is leaking - this can lead to your roof repairer or plumber having to come back on numerous occasions to completely fix the problem, which can be costly.

3. Replace the roof

Some roofs are beyond restoration and re-roofing is the only option. This involves replacing your existing roof with a new roof. It is the most expensive way to revamp your roof; however the value and benefits you get in return could outweigh this. It can also be worth installing a breathable membrane rather than non-breathable sarking when you replace a roof, to avoid any potential condensation issues in your roof cavity. Insulation, ventilation and skylights are another great thing to think about if you're already going to the expense of re-roofing

© 2007 Alex May