A Guide to Roof Painting and Sealing

Roof painting and sealing are great choices not only for beautification, but also for many practical reasons as well. This short guide will let you know how a roofer approaches roof painting and sealing projects and why you should get it done if you haven’t already.

First Things First

Any roof painting and/or sealing project necessarily involves a preliminary inspection of the roof. Why? Well, when was the last time your roof was painted or sealed? Could have been half a decade ago (or longer), so that’s plenty of time for mould, algae, or cracked tiles/shingles to become apparent.

Not only does an inspection allow the roofer to properly estimate the quantity of paint/sealant required for the job, but they can also identify these problems and address them to prolong the lifespan of your roof and to avoid leaks later on down the road.

Why Seal Your Roof?

Roof sealant is optional, but we recommend all roofs be properly sealed. This will ensure that they last well into their estimated lifespan by providing all sorts of protective benefits, including:

• Waterproof coating: to ensure that leaks cannot make their way through or around tiles
• UV protection: your roof is constantly exposed to the full brunt of natural sunlight, which can wreak havoc over long periods due to UV rays that can lead to curling and degradation of asphalt shingles
• Fire resistance: some roof sealants provide an additional means of fire retardation, which can help ensure that your roof doesn’t catch on fire
• Mould resistance: sealant provides a protective barrier that will keep mould and bacteria at bay for a number of years
• Energy savings: roof sealant has the potential to reduce heat absorption of your roofing tiles or shingles, thus lessening the need for constant cooling throughout the home on hot summer days, thus reducing your energy bills

Which roofs suit painting and sealing?

Cement (concrete) tile roofs are the main candidates. Concrete tiles lose their surface coating over time, become porous and start to grow moss and lichen. Sealing and painting protects the tiles and brings back the colour.

Terracotta tiles usually do not need painting. They keep their colour through the clay itself, so a terracotta roof is normally cleaned, repaired and repointed rather than coated.

Metal roofs can be painted in some cases, but if the sheets are rusting through, replacement is usually the better long term option. See our metal roof replacement page for more.

The roof painting process step by step

1. Inspection: we check the whole roof, including tiles, ridge capping, valleys and flashings, and explain what needs fixing before any coating goes on.
2. Repairs first: broken and cracked tiles are replaced, rusted valleys are dealt with and ridge capping is rebedded and repointed where needed. Painting over problems only hides them.
3. High pressure clean: moss, lichen, dirt and loose coating are removed so the new coating can bond to clean tiles.
4. Primer or sealer: a sealer is applied to bind the tile surface and help the topcoats adhere.
5. Topcoats: the roof is finished with coats of roof membrane paint in your chosen colour.
6. Clean up: waste is removed and the site is left tidy.

How long does a painted roof last?

A properly prepared and coated cement tile roof will usually look good and stay protected for many years. Most tiled roofs in Melbourne need restoring every 15 to 25 years, depending on the tile, exposure and maintenance. Skipping the cleaning, repairs or primer is the most common reason a cheap paint job fails early.

What does roof painting cost?

Roof painting is usually done as part of a full roof restoration. For a typical 3 bedroom single storey home in Melbourne, a restoration usually costs between $4,500 and $6,500. Our roof restoration cost guide explains what changes the price, or try the roof restoration cost calculator for a quick estimate.

Roof painting FAQs

Can I paint my roof myself?

Working at height is dangerous and the result depends heavily on preparation and repairs. We cover the risks in why you shouldn’t paint roof tiles yourself.

What is the best time of year to paint a roof?

Coatings need dry weather to cure, so stretches of mild, dry days are best. In Melbourne that often means spring through to autumn, with work planned around the forecast.

Can I change my roof colour?

Yes. Painting a cement tile roof is a great chance to change the colour. Lighter colours reflect more heat in summer, while darker colours can suit some home styles. We help you choose during the quote.

Thinking about painting or restoring your roof? Visit our roof painting and sealing page, call 03 8738 3451 or request a free quote.