How Often Should You Restore Your Roof?

Roofs are the heroes of our homes; they take a beating and protect us from the elements.

Melbourne has had some truly horrendous spring weather this year, so let’s take a moment to say a thank you to the silent heroes of our homes, roofs.

Maybe now is the time to say a proper thank you and give that worn-weary roof a much-needed roof restoration.

Has it been a while since the home’s last roof restoration? Has it ever had one?

How often should you redo your roof?

We’re going to answer that and provide some nuggets of information on roof restoration, so you’ve got all you need to know to plan your next, or first, roof restoration.

What is a roof restoration?

A roof restoration is like a service for a weary, worn roof. A little spruce-up.

“Roof restoration is the process of restoring old, worn or damaged roofs to look and function like new again”

We have an article including all the information you need to know about roof restoration here, so definitely give that a read to understand what’s involved in a roof restoration and the benefits of getting one.

But how can you tell if your home needs a roof restoration?

Signs You Need a Roof Restoration

Here are the external signs that your roof needs a restoration

1. Worn roof tiles – one of the most physically visible indications that your roof has seen better days. Overtime tiles crack, fade and start to crumble. We have some harsh weather here in Melbourne and this impacts the life of your roof tiles. If you see cracked, crumbling or weather-beaten tiles, it’s time to call in roofing experts to assess if your roof needs a restoration before water starts to seep in.
2. Damaged roofing mortar on tiles roofers – As the cement mortar ages, it is very common to need replacement or flexible pointing applied on the top, to stop the cement work from cracking and coming away from your ridge caps.
3. Mould, rot and lichen – Roof looking a little green? Mould, rot and lichen are a scourge and once they appear, they’re only going to get worse. They’re a sign that the roof has too much moisture and it leads to leaks and damage from birds and critters that are attracted the growth for food.
   
4. Metal corrosion – if you have a metal roof, instead of tiles, you might spot some corrosion/rust. This is a strong sign your roof needs a restoration or refresh.

Also keep an eye out for a sagging roof, damaged gutters, worn gutters, leaks and significant trickles of rainwater out of the gutters.

So, do you need a roof restoration?

Do I need a roof restoration?

If you have noticed that your roof has any of the above issues, then it’s likely you need, or at the very least, could benefit from a roof restoration.

How often should you restore a roof?

The above are indicators you need a roof restoration but let’s talk about an indicator that doesn’t necessarily show outward signs you need one.

Age: Like us, roofs age. Typically, they last around 20 to 25 years. But there is no straight answer for any roof type as environment and maintenance plays a huge role in time frame.

If your roof is only 10-15 years old and has been repaired numerous times or has any of the above visible indicators of concern, it’s probably time for a restoration.

A roof restoration will ultimately save you money when compared to endless repairs that are just addressing the symptoms and not the cause.

So, if your roof has had numerous repairs and it’s starting to age, or if it’s showing one of the symptoms of distress above, then it sounds like it’s time to invest in a roof restoration.

At PorterVac we have roofing experts with decades of experience who can visit your property, check your roof, gutters and roofing area and confirm what your roof needs and what benefits you can expect.