5 Tips To Ensure Your Roof Can Withstand Heavy Rain

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Mar 26, 2021

Each year during the rainy season, billions of dollars worth of damage is caused to property across Australia. The recent rain and floods have left NSW in a catastrophic state. And with the weather becoming more and more unpredictable, the problem is not going to get better any time soon.

Insurance group IAG estimates that natural disasters have cost the Australian economy $18.2 billion a year for the past 10 years. And this is set to increase to around $39 billion by 2050.

The good news is that you can reduce the risk of your home being damaged by ensuring your roof is well maintained. Carrying out the following five checks each year will help to ensure your roof remains watertight and limit the damage caused by the elements.

1. Clean out your gutters

Gutters are one of the most important aspects of your roof. They not only help to remove excess water from the roof, they keep it away from the walls, preventing damp, and feeding it straight into the drain to prevent flooding.

So you must keep your gutters well maintained. Start by making sure there aren't any leaks. Then clear out any blockages which are causing water to overflow back on to the roof. Finally, make sure the drains are clear so water can drain away quickly.

2. Check pipe and vent flashings

Flashing is a thin layer of galvanised steel that is used to seal pipes, vents and chimneys. Without flashing, rainwater will run down the gaps between the roof and the structure causing damp to form.

While the flashings themselves usually last a long time the sealant around the flashing can deteriorate over time. So you should check the flashing remains watertight around dormer windows, vents, pipes, chimneys and skylights.

3. Repair or replace any missing or loose tiles or shingles

Missing or loose tiles are one of the leading causes of structural roof damage. Missing tiles or shingles allow water to leak into the rafters where they can damage timbers and cause damp to form. They also significantly weaken the roof against strong winds.

So loose or missing tiles must be replaced before they cause further damage. If you are not comfortable climbing on the roof call your local roofing contractor. Because replacing missing tiles early is always cheaper than replacing a roof later on.

4. Trim trees which overhang your roof

Falling leaves accumulate in the gutters causing them to overflow. While falling branches can easily cause structural damage to the roof itself.

Fortunately, this problem can be easily solved by ensuring any trees which overhang your roof are properly trimmed and maintained. Keeping trees well-trimmed can also help to prevent bushfires from spreading.

5. Check flat roofs for ponding

Finally, if you have a flat roof, you should make sure it remains watertight and that there is no sign of water ponding on the surface. Pooled water could be a sign of structural problems in the underlying structure or indicate a blocked drainpipe.

In both cases, you need to get it checked out as soon as possible. Leaving it will only make the problem worse and leave you with an expensive repair bill when the inevitable happens.

Got a problem with your roof, we can help

If you would like your roof checked by a professional or if you have a problem with your roof that needs repairing, give us a call today and we’ll send one of our experienced roofing contractors around to carry out an inspection in your Lismore or Coraki home.

We have over 50 years of experience repairing broken roofs to homes and businesses in the Northern Rivers. Our team of experienced roofers can carry out all types of repair including; leaking gutters, blocked drains, missing roof tiles and leaking flashing. Get in touch by calling (02) 6683 2281 or complete the contact form and we'll get back to you.

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