DO YOU NEED A TEMPORARY ROOF FIX? TRY THESE TIPS
If you are in need of a budget friendly Roof Fix we have some tips to guide you on ensuring you have no leaks and saving on costs as well.
Whether roof leak repairs are required or you just need to stretch out the large cost of a roof restoration or replacement take a look at these tips we have listed for you.
How do I know if my roof is leaking?
Some way to identify if you have a leak would be to walk around inside the house and take not of any spots/marks on the ceiling or running down the walls. Sometimes if the leak is bad enough you will have water dripping in through the ceiling or skylight, maybe even a vent. Once the leak area/s have been identified you should act quickly as leaving this will only cause potential further damage.
1. Use a tarp to cover the damaged area
You can hire a qualified tradesman or even a handyman to cover up the damaged area on your roof with a tarp whilst you are waiting for your roof repairs to be carried out. A tarp will protect your roof from any water coming in should there be wet weather, allowing any water to flow down into your gutters and drain through your storm water. It is imperative that you have a specialist install this as if it is not done correctly there is a chance that the tarp can come loose and even create more issues by pulling on other roof tiles (especially in windy weather).
2. Use silicone or cement
Depending on the type of material and extent of damage you may just be able to use some silicone to patch up the leak area. If you have a broken tile you can repair with silicone as a temporary roof fix or if you have a metal roof and some cracks have formed/the metal sheets are somewhat aged and likely require replacing in the future, you can also use silicone in this situation. If you opt to use cement that is fine however it is best used in dry conditions (not whilst there is rain) and you will need to ensure the proper material is being used.
Hiring a professional to patch up the leak area is again the best way to ensure this is being done properly. Your roof is what protects everyone inside your house so allowing water to enter the roof cavity can cause long term damage and potentially cost you a lot of money.
3. Replace the broken tile or tiles
Replacing a chipped or broken tile is a relatively cost effective and simple way to fix a leak. There are so many different tile options available second hand so you will need to ensure you choose the correct profile. We suggest having around 5 spare tiles set aside for times where a tile breaks and it needs to be replaced quickly. Again, be safe in carrying out this type of job and call on someone who can help you.
A more permanant fix...
You shouldn’t stop at temporarily fixing your roof, as that is exactly what it means – TEMPORARY! Ask yourself when was the last time my roof was maintained? When was the last time I invested in protecting my property from water damage?
You should know your roof NEEDS to be maintained! If you have a tiled roof, you should look at having it completely maintained/restored every 15 years. This doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on having it painted etc. Simple maintenance will do the job, so long as you are having the work carried out by a trusted roofing professional! They should provide a quote on any broken tiles, re-pointing/re-bedding, rusted valley replacements and any cracked flashing/skylight soaker trays.
If your roof is metal (COLORBOND) it is said to last over 30 years in Australia’s harsh weather conditions. It is at a big cost however well worth it if you plan on staying in the property for a long time. Having this type of job completed properly should mean you will require minimum maintenance.
Get in touch with us
Our friendly team of experts are more than willing to answer any questions you may have in relation to your roofing needs and can even schedule in a time with you for a property inspection. Contact our office on 03 8738 3451.
