Guide to Roof Restoration Brisbane
Complete Guide To Restoring Your Roof
If your roof looks worn out, faded, stained or just old, restoration is a good affordable solution to fix its appearance and make it last longer. Brisbane’s hot humid summers, storms and sun beating down can really damage roofs over time.
Restoring your current roof costs much less than a full replacement but makes it look and function like new again.
This guide explains exactly what roof restoration means, its many benefits, the different repair services available, what it typically costs, tips for finding a qualified local Brisbane company to do it, whether DIY is effective compared to hiring an expert crew, how weather impacts roofs differently around Brisbane, and answers common questions about the overall restoration process. Let’s get into it.
What is Roof Restoration?
It cleans and refreshes your existing roof instead of replacing them. It extends the life of your current roof by 5-10 years.
The process starts by deep cleaning to get rid of dirt, grime, moss and stains. Any repairs needed are also done. Then coatings are applied. Special cleaners and sealants are used to improve how it looks while making it waterproof and protected.
Restoration works on most typical roof types like tile, Colorbond metal, and other metal. It makes faded and weathered roofs look new again.
Is Getting Your Roof Restored Common in Brisbane? Why?
Roof restoration is an extremely popular service in Brisbane and Queensland generally. Our sub-tropical climate accelerates wear and tear on roofs with abundant sun exposure, high year-round temperatures, intense rainfall and storms during wet season.
Salt corrosion is also a major issue in coastal areas. As a result, roofs become faded, stained, cracked or damaged much more quickly than in cooler southern states. Restoration provides a budget-friendly way to gain back lost roof function and curb appeal without the high price of full roof replacement.
Benefits of Roof Restoration
Restoration provides a wide range of benefits that make it a smart investment, including:
- Enhanced Aesthetics – Restoration dramatically improves faded colour and removes unsightly stains or growth like moss to restore original good looks
- UV Protection – New coatings shield against sun damage and fading
- Waterproofing – Sealants fill cracks and leaks to prevent interior water ingress
- Energy Efficiency – Cool roof coatings regulate heat for lower air conditioning bills
- Noise Reduction – Sound dampening qualities create a quieter indoor environment
- Durability – Restores integrity for an extra 5-10+ years of functional roof life
- Affordability – Much cheaper than full roof replacement, saving thousands
- Eco-Friendliness – Extends roof life, reducing landfill waste and environmental impact
- Increased Property Value & Kerb Appeal – Enhances overall home aesthetics for higher resale value
The range of short and long term perks make restoration a wise investment for Brisbane homeowners.
Roof Restoration Services
There are a variety of restoration services available to address different roof types, conditions and problems.
Metal Roof Restoration
It represents over 70% of roofs in Queensland including popular Colorbond steel. The restoration process for metal roofs involves pressure cleaning, rust treatment, sealing of joints & seams, and application of protective coatings to waterproof and extend roof life. This restores lost sheen and prevents further corrosion or deterioration.
Colorbond Roof Restoration
As the leading metal roofing product in Australia, Colorbond is highly prone to damage from sunlight, heat, and moisture exposure in Brisbane’s climate. Restoration helps restore original Colorbond finish and appearance while adding important UV protection, weatherproof sealants and cooling coatings. This adds decades of extra life.
Tile Roof Restoration
With over 20% of Aussie homes having concrete tile roofs, they often suffer fading, mould or cracking from environmental factors. Restoration cleans away built up grime and stains beautifies appearance. It also seals cracks & joints while adding protective barriers against moisture, heat and UV rays – avoiding further damage.
Terracotta Tile Restoration
The other common clay tile roofing type, terracotta is porous and susceptible to discolouration. Restoration cleans off leaf litter, dirt or stains, seals porous holes to waterproof and apply new coatings to reignite rich original burnt orange tones. This also boosts weathering protection.
Roof Cleaning
Before restoration techniques can be applied, the roof surface needs thorough cleaning. Specialised roof cleaners break down and remove stubborn buildup of dirt, grime, mold and mildew or environmental stains from years of exposure. This prepares the roof for proper adhesion of new sealants and coatings.
Roof Painting
Beyond protective sealants and coatings, full repainting can dramatically transform an aging roof’s appearance. Much like new paint on house walls, a fresh roof paint job in a lighter or more vibrant hue hides existing flaws while adding visual pop. Paint finishes also shield from moisture, rays, and more. It is ideal to totally revitalise terracotta, concrete and metal roofs back to near-original condition. We use durable exterior grade acrylic paints guaranteed for long lasting results.
Spot Repairs
It’s common for roofs to develop minor mechanical issues like broken tiles, loose fixings or damaged flashings over time. Spot repairs address isolated fixes to ensure the roof structure remains sound before restoration processes commence.
Roof Repairs
For roofs with more extensive deterioration of framework, gutters or other underlying structure, substantial repairs may be necessary. This might involve replacing entire sections of damaged metal sheeting, rebedding ridge capping mortar or resetting extensive rows of slipping tiles for example. Repairing underlying issues ensures restoration lasts.
Bedding & Pointing
On tiled roofs in particular, restoration often includes rebedding and repointing of ridges and hip lines. This involves raking out eroded mortar and rebedding/sealing with fresh flexible compounds to permanently fix gaps along critical roof junctions.
Asbestos Roof Replacement
About 30% of Brisbane homes built before 1990 have asbestos in their roofs. Restoration can safely remove it. Getting rid of all the asbestos lowers health risks. Replacing it with new modern materials allows coatings to be added after.
These are common restoration services that can be customized for your roof’s needs. Combined, they can make your roof last up to 10 years longer compared to doing no maintenance.
The Roof Restoration Process
Brisbane roof restoration follows these crucial steps to refresh and extend it’s life:
1. Inspection
A qualified professional does a thorough check of your whole roof structure and all materials like metal sheets, tiles, flashings etc. They look for any needing repair first before other work starts. This might find damaged tiles, loose fixtures, hidden leaks, rust spots or other problems. Getting the full picture avoids bigger problem later.
2. Cleaning
Next, very strong chemical cleaners and high powered water jets are used to remove years of accumulated debris, stains, mold and thick grime. Think of it like a deep clean for your roof. The surface needs to be fully prepped so later coatings can properly stick and seal. Fried egg stains on concrete tiling are tough but can come off with commercial cleaning agents.
3. Repairs
With the root surface clean, it’s easier to spot and fix any cracks, broken or missing shingles/tiles, loose nails and screws, leaks, other wear and tear. Qualified repair experts fix all structural or mechanical faults so problems don’t get worse over time causing a bad bigger fix down the track. Firmly rebedding ridge tiles prevents wind lift for example.
4. Coating
Made for your specific roof type, special multi-layer protective paint-like coatings are evenly brushed, rolled or sprayed over every inch. This waterproofs by sealing porous holes and gaps that previously allowed rain ingress. It also shields from UV rays to avoid bleaching and fading you’ve probably already seen on your surface. Insulating cool coat can further lower bills. Proper adhesion and coverage is vital.
5. Final Inspection
With coatings fully cured and dried, a final quality check ensures the whole area was adequately sealed with no missed spots or defects in application. If all perfect, surrounding exteriors get cleaned before removing equipment. Your roof finally looks like new again!
How Much Does Roof Restoration Cost?
Cost of roof restoration can vary substantially based on factors like size/pitch/layers, accessibility, condition, chosen services and more. However, averages for different sized roofs are:
Roof Size | Average Cost |
---|---|
Small Roof (35-80 m2) | $2,500 – $4,500 |
Medium Roof (80-150 m2) | $4,500 – $8,500 |
Large Roof (150+ m2) | $8,500 – $20,000+ |
To get exact prices for your roof, companies give free quotes considering:
- Type of Roof & Condition – More layers or tiled roofs cost extra over basic metal
- Pitch – Steeper roofs mean harder access driving up price
- Size – Smaller roofs cost more per square meter
- Location & Access – Height or obstacles add specialized equipment costs
- Services – Just cleaning vs repairs, asbestos removal etc adds to cost
While huge homes might run higher, it still beats a full replacement cost-wise. Most people pay under $10,000 even for extensive restoration, saving tens of thousands over new roofing.
And with 10 or more years of extra roof life, it comes out to just a few hundred dollars per year. Making it extremely affordable roof protection.
How to Choose a Roof Restoration Company
When picking a roof restoration company, ask:
Have they been in business locally for at least 5-10 years? This suggests they are stable and know the local area.
Do they offer written guarantees? Good companies give 5-10 year workmanship guarantees for peace of mind.
Are they properly licensed, insured and certified? Ask to see their official credentials.
Can they show past projects and reviews? Established firms should showcase their restoration work or track record with pictures, testimonials or reviews.
Do they give detailed quotes? Quality companies will inspect then list all services recommended and costs in writing.
DIY vs Professional Restoration
Some homeowners try DIY roof restoration using store cleaners, sealants and paints to save money. But the results often fail early, costing more compared to hiring a pro who has the expertise and equipment.
Risks of DIY roof restoration:
- Not cleaning enough leading to poor paint sticking
- Falling working at heights without safety gear
- Putting on wrong chemicals that harm roof materials
- Causing leaks from poorly sealed joints
- Short term savings but have to repair again soon
Pros like ABC Roof Restoration Brisbane use strong pressure washers, commercial-grade chemicals and application tools to penetrate and seal all roof surfaces. We bring specialized equipment like boom lifts to reach high areas safely. Hiring us costs more initially but offers long-lasting revitalisation that protects your valuable asset.
About Brisbane – Roofing Needs
Brisbane has different environments needing various fixes:
Inner City
Lots of old homes with tile roofng prone to grime and wear. Restoring maintains their heritage look vs replacing.
Eastern Suburbs
Tree-lined neighbourhoods with more falling branches that gradually damage aging roofs that need restoration.
Bayside
Big mansions by the harbour vulnerable to sea air/dampness causing corrosion needing specialized anti-rust treatments.
Western Suburbs
Newer faster growing areas still require UV protection and weatherproofing on decades-old roofs rather than replacing.
Ipswich/Logan
Farther inland but still hot & humid so roofs needs cleaning and sealing to stop mold, leaks and hotness getting through.
No matter your part of Greater Brisbane, proactive restorations combat damage from the elements so roofs last to their full lifespans. Cheaper than replacing the whole roof.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take?
Most homes take 1-2 days. Bigger or more complex roofs can take 3-5 days. The time depends on the roof’s size, pitch, layers and chosen services. Companies plan the schedule so there’s no constant disruption.
Is DIY dangerous?
Doing it yourself risks slips, shocks or falls from heights. Without professional products/gear, the work quality suffers leading to leaks or damage later. Leave it to experts for safe, long-lasting results.
What causes roof damage?
Brisbane’s climate speeds up wear, high temp, storms, moisture and salt corrode roofs. Falling branches also dent or break tiles. Sun exposure fades colours while dirt allows mould. Restoration fights multiple problems for longer roof life.
Should I get multiple quotes?
It’s good to get 2-3 quotes to compare. But focus less on price than experience, professionalism and services included. The cheapest restoration risks shoddy work. Higher ones often provide superior value from better roofing materials, guarantees and longevity.
Conclusion
Getting roof restoration done regularly is a smart money-saving tactic for Brisbane’s tough climate. Instead of paying $15,000-$60,000 to totally replace roofs after 15-25 years, restoration extends the lifespan by up to 10 extra years for under $10,000 even on big two-story homes. That’s tremendous value.
Estimates for your exact roof take just minutes. Highly trusted local experts like ABC Roof Restoration Brisbane provide guarantees for peace of mind against storms, moisture and sun damage. Regain great looks, efficiency and long roof life through budget-friendly, eco-friendly restoration services by leading Brisbane roofing company.