Roof Restoration Sydney

The Roof Restoration Process

The first and most important stage of any Roofing project is to complete a thorough inspection. Our skilled Roofers will climb on top of your roof and inspect the state of your tiles, check your ridge caps, the flashing and generally see if there is anything that is giving us warning signs about the future health of your entire roof. 

We don't believe in quoting for work that doesn't need to be done, hence pictures and  documentation are required to make sure everyone is on the same page before any work can commence. There is no hard sell and definitely no obligation to continue even after the inspection has been completed. We will not need to enter the house (unless there are more urgent roof issues such as leaks to look at) and the disruption to your day will be minimal.

Once we understand the scope of work required and importantly have agreed with you, only then will we begin roof repairs by replacing any cracked or broken tiles with recycled tiles that are of similar condition.

We also clear out anything obstructing the valleys and gutters, and if there is any additional repairs needed such as resealing the flashing or dealing with roof leaks, then we will address these issues also. Its important to be very thorough in our inspection as there are many elements that can go wrong in a roofing system and it only takes one small hole or broken tile to cause major damage to your home. 

Once the roof repair process is finished, then the roof is ready for a good wash using a special high pressure cleaner. We like to use machines that can generate around 4000 psi to help cut through dirty, lichen and moss and restore every tile to as close to its original condition as possible.

Roof cleaning is an essential step in the process and needs to be done uniformly to ensure every tile is cleaned properly.  For example, lichen on terracotta roof tiles is a common occurrence. We like to clean first by going up the route to clean the tile faces but then spend some time on the front edge of the tiles as it is usually more porous and prone to develop moss growth.

Depending on the state of the tiles, we will consider carefully what is right approach to cleaning this. For example if the tiles are really old and brittle we have to be more careful not to do more damage with the pressure cleaner as it can cause the edges of the tiles to curl up if too much force is placed. Too much pressure can even take off the tiles. Generally however, cleaning the roof means that we remove excess debris that has been stuck on the tiles. Often we see build up of lichen, grime, mould, and algae that can't be removed effectively by normal washing. If this is the case we will also use an anti fungal solution after the clean to kill as much of these contaminants as possible before priming the roof.

Once we have rinsed the roof off several times, it is common for the roof to look a bit raw and patchy.  The final result will look very different.

To get maximum longevity, the ridge capping will need to rebedded. 

This is necessary when the mortar holding the ridge caps have cracked or broken and is not holding the ridge caps firmly. We take off the ridge caps, and replace the bed with fresh mortar and then reset the ridge caps in the right place. To reset the ridge caps to the roof, we use a flexible pointing compound - one that is both strong and still allows for the roof's natural movement.  We just need the resealed ridge caps to dry and become firmly fixed.

We recommend an experienced roofer to do this job correctly as the right result will give the roof lines a sharp edge and give your home a great look.

After the roof has been pressure washed and left to dry, it is ready to start the process of painting your roof.

The purpose of a roof primer is to provide an adhesive link between the tiles and the top coat. A suitable primer will allow the tile to bond better to the topcoat,  help to protect the tiles from corrosion and ultimately create a beautiful finish. Different types of tiles need different primers. For example, Terracotta tiles are much more porous than a metal roof and needs to have a primer with a thicker consistency so it can penetrate the tiles.  When done correctly, a primer can be the difference between a roof that looks brand new for 10 plus years or one whose color fades much earlier.

The final step of the roof restoration process is coating the roof, commonly known as roof painting or roof coating.

First we apply a strong base coat which thickens the roof and acts as a water resistant seal.  After adequate drying, we put on a rich top coat to cosmetically enhance the roof. This final coat adds colour and also UV protection to the tiles. Because we only use non toxic, environmentally friendly coatings, you can feel safe that your roof is free from harmful chemicals. When this is all done, your house will look completely renewed and protect you for the next 10-20 years. 

Our roof restoration company are meticulous when it comes to making your roof restoration look amazing. We take great pride in seeing a tile roof restored. We are also experienced in all roofing systems including terracotta tiles, slate, tin, colorbond, asphalt, metal roof and more.