Roofing Information

Exposing 9 Metal Roofing Myths

/ By / 1 minute of reading

There are several misconceptions that persist today about metal roofing. Learn the truth about nine common metal roofing myths.

MYTH 1 – When it rains metal roofs are noisy This is one of the most common misconceptions of residential metal roofing. If you stood under a metal shed or garage, yes the noise would be louder, but metal roofing installed above your ceiling and over insulation is generally no louder than any other roofing material.

MYTH 2 – A metal roof will increase the likelihood of your house getting struck by lightning While metal conducts electricity, electricity is not drawn to it. A metal roof is no more likely to be struck by lightning than any other roofing material. In fact, it can be safer than some other roofing materials because a metal roof is non-combustible.

MYTH 3 – Metal roofing rusts easily Metal roofing materials that are properly coated by a leading manufacturer such as BlueScope Steel, properly installed and maintained do not rust easily. When metal sheets reach the end of their very long lifespan, the zinc protective coating begins to wear thin and when the bare metal becomes exposed to the air it may rust in sections.

MYTH 4 – Metal roofs are susceptible to damage by hail  The typical hailstorm will cause little to no damage to your metal roof.  While extremely large hailstones can dent any type of roofing material, choosing a metal roof with a deeper profile can greatly minimize the dents visible from the ground caused by even the largest of hailstones.

MYTH 5 – You can’t walk on a metal roof You can, but you have to know how to do it without causing damage. Check with the manufacturer of the product you choose to find out the best way to walk on your roof to keep from damaging it and to keep from harming yourself. Metal roofs are actually easier to walk on without causing damage than tiles and are designed to allow a lot of foot traffic.

MYTH 6 – A metal roof will make your house colder in winter Actually, a metal roof has no effect on the temperature of the typical vented roof space in winter. It’s the insulation under your roof or on the ceiling space that keeps you warm. A properly insulated roof will keep the heat inside.

MYTH 7 – A metal roof will make you house hotter in summer Combining COLORBOND® Steel, Thermatech® Technology with insulation will help your building remain comfortable all year. Thermatech® Technology helps your roof and your building stay cooler by reflecting more of the sun’s heat. Whilst a Metal Roof may heat up faster than a tile roof, it also cools down faster once the sun is off it because steel has a low thermal mass. Therefore in summer, air-conditioners have an easier job keeping your building cool and saving money on energy costs as well as reducing emissions from electricity generation. The choice of colour can also influence thermal performance. Lighter colours in particular, radiate less heat during summer.

MYTH 8 – COLORBOND® Metal Roofing Peels Easily With a durable, baked-on paint finish, COLORBOND® Steel resists chipping, peeling and cracking to deliver long life performance with low maintenance. COLORBOND® Steel is made specifically to withstand the harsh Australian Climate.

MYTH 9 – Metal Roofing is more expensive than tile roofing Costs per square meterage for tile and COLORBOND® Steel Roofing are comparable, however the longevity and installation costs for metal roofing make it significantly more cost effective. A metal roof can be installed to the structure of any existing tiled or slate roof, however if you have a steel roof you cannot put a tiled roof in its place. Tiles are significantly heavier and reinforcement of your premises is generally required. This can be expensive.

METAL ROOFING FACTS

For over 45 years COLORBOND® Steel has evolved into one of the worlds most advanced building materials. It has been tried and tested in some of the harshest climates across Australia.

Today, according to research carried out by BlueScope Steel, nearly half of all new homes in Australia have roofs made from COLORBOND® Steel, 9 out of 10 new homes built in Australia feature products made from COLORBOND® Steel and over 80 per cent of all Australian gutters and fascia’s are made from COLORBOND® Steel.

COLORBOND® Steel has become Australia’s single most popular roofing brand.

WANT TO KNOW MORE

If you are considering a Metal Roof, the South Australian roofing team here at Hindmarsh Roofing are happy to discuss your needs and talk to you at length about your project.

For any questions or clarification on metal roofing, please contact Hindmarsh Roofing on 08 8268 1600 or fill out our online contact form and one of our team members will contact you as soon as possible.

Exposing 9 Metal Roofing Myths Read More »

The Importance Of Gutter & Downpipe Maintenance

/ By / 1 minute of reading

We all recognise the importance of having a ‘roof over our heads’ and yet we often neglect our roof and gutters until it is too late. Inspecting and maintaining your roof, gutters and downpipes should be carried out at least every six months. We recommend at the end of autumn and spring. In some locations where there are overhanging trees or where the premises are close to the ocean more frequent maintenance may be required. In addition, check your roof, gutters and downpipes during and after storms. Deterioration to roofs and gutters can suddenly be accelerated by storms and high winds.

Overflowing gutters indicate that there is a serious problem with your water management system. Gutters that have a build-up of debris with leaf matter, dirt and organic growth will lose a large amount of their water carrying capacity causing them to overflow. Overflowing gutters can lead to flooded ceilings, damaged roof timbers, saturation of the internal walls and damage to the buildings foundations, which can result in some serious structural damage. Valley lines are also prone to trapping leaves, causing water to divert and overflow onto the ceilings below. Often this results in not only damaging the ceiling and some of your possessions below, but also insulation, light fittings and electrical wiring.

INSPECTING YOUR ROOF – Where possible carry out a visual inspection of the roof from ground level (binoculars are useful). This may be sufficient if there is no evidence of problems from inside the building or the roof space. Inspect the roof for any loose metal sheeting, clogged, bent or broken gutters and downpipes. Check for damaged or lifting capping’s and flashings, paying particular attention around chimneys, parapet walls, pipe penetrations, air-conditioners and sky-lights. Look for signs of corrosion at the joins between the sheets and also along the screw line.

Not all roof problems can be rectified without the services of a roofing professional, however gutter and downpipe maintenance, when approached in a sensible manner can be fixed within a few hours. Safety should be the primary concern when deciding whether to do this yourself or engage someone else.

SAFETY FIRST – Many problems can only be identified by getting up on the roof and any work you do around your premises with a ladder requires care. Use a sturdy, standalone ladder placed on a level surface. Carry out an inspection as outlined above. In addition, check the gutters and downpipes for a build-up of debris and leaf matter. Wear thick gloves and protective eyewear to avoid cuts to hands and swarf entering your eyes.

MAINTENANCE PROCEDURE – Using a safe and stable ladder, wearing appropriate thick PVC gloves and protective eyewear, clean and remove the build-up of leaf matter, dirt and debris from the gutters. Use a stiff, soft bristled brush to sweep debris into a pile, being particularly careful not to scratch or damage the metal gutters. Place the debris into a bucket or plastic bag and lower to the ground. With a garden hose wash down and remove all sludge and decaying leaf matter. Check that the gutters are draining freely towards the downpipes or outlets and that they do not hold any water as this will accelerate rusting of the steel or iron gutters and considerably shorten their life.

Downpipes should be cleared of any debris by inserting a water pressure hose down (from the top) each downpipe. Clearing of obstructions should immediately remove the risk of water backing up in the gutters. Underground storm water systems may require a plumber to unblock any obstructions.

CONSIDER A PERMANENT SOLUTION – Reduce the amount of time you spend removing debris and cleaning your gutters by installing Rev Guard Gutter Guard system. Rev Guard Gutter Guard acts like a permanent barrier to foliage and other debris, giving you year round protection from the risk of blocked gutters and downpipes. It is made from 100 per cent BlueScope ZINCALUME® steel, created in a custom made profile which is then perforated and cut to lengths of up to 8 metres and folded to suit any application.

If your gutters and downpipes have been cleared and cleaned and there are signs of leaks then it is likely that your gutters and downpipes require replacement. Our representatives can help identify the problem. Call Hindmarsh Roofing for more information or an obligation free quote on 08 8268 1600.

The Importance Of Gutter & Downpipe Maintenance Read More »

Scroll to Top
Call Now Button