South Australia enjoys a wonderful temperate climate, but our houses are still typically subjected to the forces of nature, assessing the very limits of sometimes the sturdiest constructions.
One of several most important structural components of any place will be the top and guttering, which in unison, make sure your home continues to be secure and dry in even most intense weather. But time and damage can eventually result in this particular waterproof barrier being breached, leading to serious structural damage.
Spring; a great moment to inspect for signs of damage
A good practice for every homeowner will be to regularly examine the roof and guttering for signs of water damage or perhaps age related deterioration, and the perfect time to do it is spring. The atmosphere are apparent, and the ravages of winter storms are gone for another season.
Roofing and guttering generally last numerous years, but when weather related deterioration or damage kicks off, the external clues that indicate something is incorrect can generally be quite subtle despite significant, but hidden structural harm already producing.
Structural damage from a leaking roof or perhaps failing guttering system can lead to damage which is permanent to foundations, roof as well as wall timbers; irreversible ceiling, inner wall plus carpet damage; water penetration into electrical wiring and light fittings; as well as a partial or complete ceiling collapse.
In most circumstances, a self inspection can easily be done from ground level, but for a good assessment, you might need to get a better look from a ladder. Though it’s far more accurate from the roof, inspecting attached carports, verandahs and room extensions can also be done from ground level.
If you happen to do not feel comfortable about climbing ladders, or perhaps you would like a professional opinion about the state of your roof or guttering, we would be much more than happy to send out 1 of our qualified Roof Technicians to conduct an obligation free inspection.
Freedom Roofing and Restoration may be noticed being developed on the timber and scotia beneath the gutter. You may also observe rusted nails in the Scotia, a tell tale sign that moisture is trapped behind the timber.
To the untrained eye, these conditions may seem as a problem originating in the timber, but they’re generally due to a leaking corner or join in the gutter. These subtle marks can take up to twenty years before they start to appear, and may seem relatively innocuous, but beneath the surface area there is a possible catastrophe unfolding.
The constant seepage of h20 from the gutter is trapped behind the scotia and fascia. Because of the absorbent nature of timber, the lodged moisture is sucked into the fibres of the timber causing wood rot. This fungal disease completely eliminates the structural integrity of the timber, eventually causing it to collapse, usually with no warning.
Point to remember: In case you see dirty-marks or perhaps water-marks on your scotia or fascia, and it’s near a join or perhaps a corner of the gutters of yours, you are able to be almost positive that water is leaking out of your gutters.
Advanced Symptoms
Advanced symptoms of rusted guttering and water damage can become very obvious after only just a few years of continuous leaking.
Once guttering has reached a stage where it has rusted through and falling off the fascia, it not merely will become entirely ineffective at channeling water at bay from the house of yours, there’s also the very real danger of it collapsing and causing physical injury.
The longer guttering is remaining in this state, the more extensive the injury to your property. Drinking water running into the foundations of your house is able to develop significant structural problems. Timber fascia’s and scotia can become so harmed by wood rot that they’ll all need replacing. There’s actually the chance which wood rot is able to spread into major timber structures such as the ends of roof trusses.
Guttering is as any maintenance problem in the home of yours. The greater you leave it the greater damage it is likely to cause, and the more complex the problem gets.
If you are able to see rusty guttering, water dripping under carports and verandahs, or even there’s any proof of water damage to timberwork, you understand that urgent attention is necessary to prevent severe structural damage. It actually is time to call in the pros.
Iron Roof
Signs of Rust
The very first thing to look for on an iron roof top is symptoms of rust. At first, there is probably not any kind of obvious sections of rust, simply a rusty or dark looking streak developing on the roof top. Even the smallest signal is an indicator of a substantially larger problem. By the time rust finally breaks through, there is normally a large element of the iron that’s been compromised by sub-surface rust.
Loose Nails or TekScrews
Keep a look out for missing or even raised roofing nails or tek screws. In case you spot one, then you are able to practically ensure there’ll be more, particularly on old roofs that are corrected with roofing fingernails. Whether or not the top appears in place despite the odd missing nail or screw, there’s a deep risk of leaks as the roof top is not anymore sealed. There is also the threat that wind can get under the sheet and lift it off of the roof top altogether, and without warning.
It goes bang in the night
From time to time, you may possibly also be able to hear the occasional tell-tale audio of a sheet of iron banging in strong wind, or perhaps as soon as wind direction is coming from an unusual path. The banging will verify that few sheets are unsecure and need being repaired quickly to avoid damage to your house.
It’s really rare that an issue with an iron top is localized to a single location. Once symptoms start off to exhibit in one area, it’s just a situation of time before they show across all areas of the roof. The easiest solution is to replace the top before water leaks result in structural damage.
Tiled Roof
Though they do deteriorate over time due to the suns relentless baking over numerous years, tiled roofs will be astonishingly durable. There is also movement created throughout the roofs individual weight, and contraction and expansion of supporting timbers as a consequence of daily temperature variations, particularly in summer.
So what do you need to watch out for?
Loose ridge capping and broken mortar
The sight of ridge caps that have moved and mortar that has been partially or completely displaced is a standard sign that the roof is looking for fixing. Not only is the threat of water leaks high, however, if an unsecure ridge cap was to suddenly slide down the roof top in heavy rain, serious flooding could occur from only 1 rain event.
Cracked tiles
A cracked tile is a certain because of roof leaks. Typically, the tile is cracked the full width of the surface of its, particularly if another person has stood over the unsupported centre. There could perhaps be seemingly harmless cracks or perhaps breaks across the nook of a tile. Both will leak and need to be changed.
Cracked tiles can be tough to spot, and is likely to appear to be just a rich line across the surface area. In time, the crack is going to continue to start as the tile separates, turning several drips into a major leak.
Mould and grime covered surface
During the inspection, you might become aware of that your tiled roof is starting to become covered in mould and grime, which seems to get somewhat worse each year. While this will not cause your roof to leak, it is very unhealthy if you make use of the collected water to consume and wash dishes and clothes. A top in this state is covered in fungal spores and pathogens. As the covering of mould and grime worsens, the self-cleaning characteristics of the tile are lost and the area turns into an organic layer.
Restoring your roof to its former glory
Most tiled roofs eventually get to a point where the majority of, or perhaps even all the signs we’ve simply talked about are visible, indicating it is time to do anything about it. Luckily, it’s feasible to restore a tiled roof to its former glory aesthetically and functionally. To find out more, have a look at our Roof Restoration web page.
Structural damage to timbers
A hidden but problem which is serious is injury to the concealed structural timber supporting the roof. This can be indicated by a localized sag in a part of the top, or even simply a lack of uniformity in the overall appearance of the roof. Tiled roofs are certainly heavy when compared with an iron roof, so when structural timbers as roof trusses are destroyed – for example through White Ant infestation or Wood Rot – the ton is forced onto other timbers, creating an ever expanding structural problem.
While timber treats to the existing tiled roof are feasible, many homeowners preferred resolution is to get the tiled roof converted to an iron roof.
Spotted a roof or guttering problem?
If you have spotted a roof or guttering problem, and would like a professional opinion, you are welcome to make a scheduled appointment with one of our Roof Technicians. The inspection is obligation free, and gives you the time to get an expert assess the issue.
If it needs fixing or even changing, they’ll advise you of what has to be completed, and the readily available options. They will also give you a written article following the assessment, which includes some costs involved to fix as well as replace the roof of yours.
