Category: Blog

If you have an older roof or think that your roof might have a problem, then you can do a quick internal check from your roof space. This check is a lot safer for you than climbing a ladder to get on your roof. It can also help you spot damage and potential problems.

What should you look out for in your roof space?

Look for Signs of Movement

When you first get into your roof space, do a quick scan of the inside of the roof. It should look even and follow its external lines.

If you see signs of sagging or if parts of the roof look out of place, then you have a problem. This might be movement in your membrane. Sags that are more serious could indicate a failing roof.

Look for Signs of Leaks and Water Damage

If your roof has some damage, then it might not be watertight any longer. Some water is likely to come through into your home.

Sometimes, you can immediately spot the problem. You actually see fresh water. For example, you might see a pool of water on the floor, a wet line down a wall or drips coming down from the inside of the roof.

Don’t assume that everything is all right if you don’t see any water. Water coming in through a small leak in the roof might have dried up if the weather has been dry recently.

Therefore, you should also look for signs of older problems. For example, you might see discolouration on floors, walls or timbers. Your roof insulation might feel slightly damp in parts, or parts of it might have changed colour or texture.

If you’ve had an ongoing problem, then you might see spots of moisture, mildew or mould in the space. It might smell musty and mouldy up there.

If you still aren’t sure if your roof is sound, then you can go into your roof space when it is raining. If you have a leak, you should be able to see it then. If you can’t wait for bad weather, then you can have someone hose down the roof systematically from one side to the other. You can then follow the water to see if any comes inside.

Looks for Signs of Incoming Light

A sound roof should completely block out light from outside your home, so a quick light check in your roof space can tell you a lot about the state of your roof.

You should do this check during the day when it is light outside. Once you’re safely in the space, turn off any lights or torches. Look around the inside of your roof. If you can see any light coming through, then your roof does have a problem.

For example, if you can see a large space of light, then you might have lost a tile from the roof. Lines, chinks or spots of light could be a sign of damaged or misaligned tiles. Light in the corners or around vents might be a problem with flashing.

If you have any concerns about your roof, contact Homestyle Roof Painters. We can check the condition of your roof safely and quickly. If you do have a problem, we can fix it for you.  

Gutters are a vital section of your roofing system as they are responsible for water management. However, many homeowners pay little attention to gutters until clogged gutters cause significant roof problems. Discover the dangers of dirty gutters.

Water damage

If you let water pool in your gutters for too long, it can seep through cracks in the roof and siding and into the house. The trickling water can leave unsightly marks on the ceiling and walls and causes door and window frames to warp and weaken. Water also leaks to soffit areas and fascia boards, leaving you to incur high repair costs. Unresolved roof leaks eventually damage furniture and other interior items.

Structural damage

As water seeps through clogged gutters and into your home, it leaves cracks on its way. Stagnant water in gutters commonly results in roof damage and costs homeowners a lot in repairs.

The water can also collect around your home’s foundation if you don’t repair roof leaks promptly. In this case, the timber underneath starts to rot as the paint peels. Over time, the foundation becomes unstable and weak, and it might even collapse. An unstable foundation isn’t an easy problem to correct, so avoid roof leaks in the first place.

Pest infestation

The debris that accumulates on clogged gutters can attract various kinds of pests. For instance, the stagnant pools in gutters can attract mosquitoes, which reproduce rapidly due to the presence of fungi, water and other microorganisms. Inspect the gutters first if you notice a sudden crowd of mosquitoes in your yard or home.

Birds also frequent dirty gutters, making noise and attracting bird mites. If you don’t clean your gutters, other pests to be wary of include wasps, hornets, mice and termites. Termites are incredibly destructive if they breed as they damage the wooden parts of the roof. 

If these pests find cracks in your roof and siding, they could make homes in the roof cavity or between the walls and make scratching noises. Also, dead animals in these areas leave awful smells. 

Mould and mildew

Leaky ceilings and walls from clogged gutters promote mould and mildew growth. Mould and mildew thrive in the humid and dark conditions from trickling water going down to your foundations. Homeowners find controlling these pollutants hard as they rapidly colonise indoor environments.

In addition, mould and mildew trigger various medical conditions, such as nasal congestion, coughing and wheezing. Household members with allergic conditions and asthma will also experience worse symptoms. The best strategy to defeat mould is to fix the moisture issues that encouraged its growth in the first place, like cleaning clogged gutters.

Landscape damage

A well-maintained garden or flower bed is any homeowner’s pride. However, clogged gutters might destroy your beautiful landscape as excess water overflows to nearby gardens. The floods can leave some plants dead and damage nearby shrubs and plants. Excess water also washes away mulch and deprives your plants of nutrients.

Reduced property value

Clean, well-maintained gutters boost curb appeal and attract potential buyers. On the other hand, sagging gutters, destroyed landscaping and water stains on exterior walls and siding are often serious property defects. Clogged gutters also cause structural problems that disappoint buyers and reduce the sale value for homeowners selling their homes.

Gutter maintenance prevents substantial damage to your house and enhances aesthetics. If you put off gutter cleaning, you may end up spending a lot on renovation and repair costs. At Homestyle Roof Painters, we excel in keeping gutters clean, clear and pest-free today. Call us today for professional gutter cleaning services.

If you want to improve your home before you put it up for sale, then don’t forget to look at the roof. The exterior condition of your property plays an important role in a successful sale.

If your roof is old or looks shabby, then you might want to clean or even repaint it before you sell it. What are the advantages of restoring your roof at this stage?

Improve first impressions

You can’t hide a shabby or damaged roof. Prospective buyers will see the roof as they approach your home to view it. Its condition can immediately affect the way they feel about the property.

If your roof has mould or algae streaks on it, or if its paint is peeling and worn, then it usually doesn’t make a good first impression. A roof that looks just a little tired can have a negative impact even if it is basically sound.

At the very least, your roof could change the mood of some buyers. While the interior might win some over, others might decide that they don’t want to take things any further.

Plus, some buyers will be wary of properties with less-than-perfect-looking roofs. They know that roof repairs or replacement can be costly, especially if the roof has caused interior structural damage. They might not want to take the risk of having expensive repair jobs on their hands as soon as they move in.

If you clean or repaint your roof, then it will look much more appealing. A clean roof can create a better first impression and increase your pool of serious buyers.

Get a true property value

Your roof can affect the ultimate value of your property. While you might assume that some problems, such as algae streaks or missing paint patches are just cosmetic, they can cause or hide more serious underlying issues.

For example, rain might have come through areas of peeling paint. Or algae might have damaged tiles enough to let water in. Your roof might need some repair work. If damage has spread into the underlying structure, then this also needs fixing.

These problems can decrease the value of your home. You might not find out about them until a buyer commissions a pre-purchase building inspection report. At this stage, you might be in the process of buying your next home. If your buyer starts to haggle to compensate for the costs of roof repairs, then you might need to lower your price. This can be a financial strain at this late stage.

If you bring in roof cleaning and painting specialists, then they can assess the condition of the roof as well as deal with cosmetic problems. You can make minor repairs if you wish.

Plus, if your roofer finds a more serious issue that you don’t want to pay for at this stage, then you can at least re-evaluate your asking price to compensate for the problem. You get a clear idea of the property’s true value to prospective buyers at an earlier stage.

Give buyers more confidence

Some buyers worry about hidden problems which will cost them money after they buy a property. They ideally want to move in without any nasty surprises.

If you clean or repaint your roof, then you give buyers a degree of confidence. You can tell them about the restoration work and any repairs you made. They then won’t worry about the roof from either a cosmetic or structural perspective.

If you are about to sell your home, then contact Homestyle Roof Painters first. We offer a full range of roof cleaning, painting, repair and restoration services. We can assess your roof and help you find the best way to make it work for you during the sales process.

Roof leaks can lead to serious issues and potential damage to your home. However, you may not notice the early signs of a roof leak. By the time you notice your leak, you could already need extensive repairs and restoration. To make leak detection even more difficult, you could see signs of a leak that may not actually be a roof leak.

You have to be diligent when you investigate a leak. Here is more information about the subtle signs of roof leaks as well as things to know about false roof leaks.

Outside signs of a roof leak

Sometimes, you can spot a leak when you look at your roof’s exterior. However, some leaks are not obvious and take a little investigation. Here are some exterior signs of a roof leak.

Missing tiles

Even if you don’t notice water damage inside, a missing tile means your home is not protected. Water can easily make its way under the other tiles and beneath the underlayment.

Soft spots

Soft spots indicate that your roof is weak and possibly damaged. Soft spots could allow water to seep through to your roof cavity. If you ignore a soft spot too long, you could experience roof collapse.

Clogged gutters and downpipes

Gutters help direct excess water away from your roof and your home’s exterior. When you have clogged gutters, excess water builds up and seeps into your roof’s materials. If you frequently have gutter issues, check for roof debris that could indicate your roof material needs attention.

Mould on exterior walls

Mould on the exterior walls is another sign of a gutter problem. The mould grows where the water frequently flows down on the side of the house.

Inside signs of a roof leak

Many people first notice a roof problem when they notice water damage inside the home. Here are some interior signs of a roof leak.

Stains and drips from the ceiling

Water that leaks through your roof and into your attic could eventually make it down the ceiling and leave a stain. Sometimes, the wet spots and stains are very subtle and almost unnoticeable, particularly around vents and light fixtures.

Mould streaks on walls

If you have a large enough leak, the water may drip down the walls. If the walls stay moist long enough, then mould could develop.

Peeled paint

Peeled paint, especially on the ceiling, is a clear sign of excess moisture. Water-damaged paint tends to bubble up and peel in a specific spot. Age-related paint peeling is usually more widespread.

Overall signs and causes of a false roof leak

One thing to consider when you see interior roof leak signs is that they may be from other issues. For example, mould on the walls can also indicate a plumbing issue. In that instance, the mould could show up near the bottom of the wall. Excess condensation in your roof cavity could be enough to seep through and cause ceiling stains. An expert can accurately determine the exact cause of these issues.

Even if you don’t see any signs of a roof problem, have your roof inspected about once a year. Also, check your roof if you have an unusual weather event or if significant debris falls on your roof.

When you hire a professional roofing company, you get experts who know what to look for in regards to leaks. Homestyle Roof Painters can thoroughly examine your roof for leaks and make small spot repairs in some cases. We can also fully repair and restore your roof if needed. If you are in the Sunshine Coast or Moreton Bay areas, call us to schedule an appointment to have a technician come out to your home.

Given that daily temperatures in Queensland average up to 30°C throughout the year, it may surprise you that many roofs in the state aren’t built to withstand high heat. Harsh sun rays and hot weather can have a wide array of adverse effects on your roof, from cracking the tiles to bleaching and damaging the coating.

Thankfully, there are several ways to protect your roof from high heat and keep it in great condition for years to come. Here are three you should try.

1. Get your roof cleaned

While it may sound surprising, keeping your roof clean throughout the year will go a long way in protecting it from heat damage.  

Many homeowners face algae growth on their roofs. Algae spores make their way onto rooftops through rain and wind, and if the problem is not tackled early, they can quickly grow out of control. Roof algae are typically black in colour, and it can leave stains even after it dies.

Alongside giving your home an unsightly and unclean appearance, these black algae absorb a lot more sunlight than your roof typically would. In turn, this makes your roof far more susceptible to cracking, warping, and other forms of heat damage. Thankfully, professional cleaners can make light work of algae, removing it with specialist pressure washing equipment before it harms your roof tiles.

2. Paint your roof 

Fancy giving your home’s exterior a new, revamped appearance? If so, consider painting your roof a lighter colour or using our Supa Cool product. Alongside brightening and modernising your curb appeal, it can also protect you from heat damage.

While black and dark tones absorb more sunlight (and therefore, more heat), on the opposite end of the spectrum, white reflects heat. As such, a lighter roof paint can drastically reduce how hot your roof gets—particularly if you have metal roofing, which conducts even more heat than other materials.

As well as being durable, Supa Cool has the inbuilt flexibility to cope with rapidly changing roof surface temperatures throughout the day. Supa Cool is our heat reflecting roof membrane coating system. Specially engineered pigments used in Supa Cool cut down the amount of light absorbed by the roof surface by reflecting infrared light back into the atmosphere instead of converting it to heat. Less heat means a cooler home.

All in all, a cooler roof means less risk of heat damage, and you’ll never have to worry about a white roof getting colour-bleached by the sun. As an added bonus, this will also keep the interior of your house cooler, reducing your need for expensive air conditioning.

3. Be proactive about repairs

Naturally, even if you reduce your risk of heat damage with white paint and regular cleaning, it’s hard to eliminate that risk entirely. That’s why proactive maintenance and repairs are so important.

The quicker you spot and repair early signs of heat damage, the less likely you are to face serious complications. A professional roofing repair company will be able to replace any decayed or cracked tiles on your roof before they lead to leaks, structural weakening and other consequences.

If you have sheet roofing, a repair team can secure and tighten the screws and bolts to help correct warping caused by heat damage. They may also be able to repair cracks and other small, targeted areas of damage without the need to replace your whole roof.

While many homeowners tend to avoid spending money on roof repairs, the truth is that they’ll save you a lot of money in the long run. If you ignore heat damage until it’s too late, not only will you run the risk of needing to replace your roof completely, but also the rest of your house could face costly damage as a result. 

If you’re ready to protect your roof from the beautiful but harsh Australian sun, get in touch with us at Homestyle Roof Painters. Our experienced team can provide expert, tailored cleaning, painting, and repair services in Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and Caboolture, helping to extend the lifespan of your roof for years to come.

You don’t have to install a whole new roof to spruce up this area of your home. You can paint the roof as an alternative.

While some homeowners go for the same colour or a close match, some take this opportunity to change their roof colour completely. When might you want to do this?

1. You don’t like your current roof colour

Some people paint their roofs a different colour simply because they don’t like the current shade. For example, the previous owners of your home might have chosen a colour you dislike. They might have gone for a colour that doesn’t blend in well with your neighbours’ roofs. The colour might look dated now.

If your current roof colour bothers you, then a repaint is a perfect solution. As well as restoring a tired and worn roof, a repaint gives you the chance to change its colour to one you prefer.

2. You have to meet local regulations

You don’t always have free rein to paint a roof in any colour you like. Your local council might set guidelines on the colours you should use.

While restrictions most often apply to heritage buildings, some councils have general regulations here. For example, they might impose colour recommendations on homes in a specific development or neighbourhood.

In some cases, a current roof colour might not match current regulations. They might have changed since the roof was last painted. So, you might not be able to stick with your current colour when you repaint but might need to change it to comply with up-to-date regulations.

If your local council does have restrictions, then you typically have to pick a roof colour that matches an approved colour palette. You still get some choice; however, this will be more limited than if your council allows you to choose your own colour.

3. Your roof no longer matches the rest of your home

If you’ve been doing up the exterior of your home, then you might have changed some of its façade already. For example, you might have painted your walls or added cladding to them. You might have replaced your windows, guttering and downpipes.

During this process, the exterior of your home will have changed. Your roof might not blend in with the rest of the building as well as it did before; it might not match your new colour scheme or design.

If your roof looks out of place now, then a repaint will bring it in line with the rest of your restoration. You can choose a colour that more closely matches the changes you’ve already made. Your home will look better as a whole.

4. You want to make your roof more energy-efficient

The colour of your roof affects its energy efficiency. It can make your home too hot in the heat of the sun; it also can keep heat in your home as the sun goes down. Your home won’t be energy-efficient if you don’t control its thermal efficiency.

Dark roofs are the primary culprit here. Darker colours absorb light and heat. They warm up as they do this and then pass heat down into your home. Your inside temperature rises and is slow to go down even when the weather cools outside. You might have to rely on air conditioning to keep cool.

If you want to improve your indoor temperatures and make your home more energy-efficient, then switching to a lighter roof colour often helps. White, pale or light-coloured roofs reflect light away from your home. As well as making it more comfortable indoors, you’ll also increase your energy efficiency and reduce your air conditioning bills.

For expert advice on choosing a new roof colour, contact Homestyle Roof Painters. We have a paint preview system so that you can see how different colours look on a roof. We can then clean, restore and repaint your roof for you so you get a professional restoration that lasts.

Thunderstorms can do a lot of damage to a roof. This is especially true if a roof is already in poor condition when a storm strikes. And even minor damage can cause a catastrophic chain reaction of events where roofs are concerned. One slipped tile can cause a leak that damages your home’s interior. This is why post-storm inspections are so important.

But don’t climb up onto your tile roof. Only a trained professional has the training, experience and tools to walk safely on a roof. But you can still inspect your roof from the ground. Keep the following advice in mind while you inspect your roof after a recent storm.

Use binoculars from the ground

Although you can’t get up onto your roof, you can do the next best thing by using binoculars. A pair of binoculars will allow you to see much of your roof from the ground. And even if you need to find a vantage point across the road from your house, your binoculars will allow you to perform a close-up inspection.

Check for debris

With storms comes loose debris like tree branches and leaves. If you see debris on your roof, the debris may conceal damage. And organic debris, like tree branches, attracts mold, moisture and insects. All of these things will gradually damage your roof.

Don’t try to remove debris from your roof if you can’t reach that debris from a ladder. At best, you could damage your tiles. At worst, you could injure yourself. A roofing professional can remove the debris for you and check the area to ensure that the debris didn’t damage your roof when it fell.

Check for loose, cracked or chipped tiles

Terracotta and concrete tiles are very sturdy. But once damaged, they gradually deteriorate. Damaged tiles also affect the surrounding tiles as they degrade because they no longer slot together in the same way. This paves the way for leaks. Just one cracked tile will let in rainwater and sunlight. Over time, sunlight and moisture will damage the underlayment and, eventually, lead to a leak.

Hire a professional to replace chipped or broken tiles. They can also reposition loose tiles for you.

Check the condition of your flashing

Severe storms can damage the flashing on a roof. Flashing is usually metal, such as aluminium. These long strips of metal seal the areas between your roof and its different sections, such as the chimney, valleys and vents. If the flashing buckles, then water will leak into the exposed space and enter your home.

Look for bent, buckled or detached flashing around chimneys, vents, valleys and skylights. If you see damage, arrange for repairs as soon as you can.

Inspect your gutters

Your gutters will likely contain debris after a storm, especially if you have trees. Leaves, twigs and branches can clog gutters, and this becomes a problem during heavy rainfall. When the rainwater cannot reach the downspout due to a blockage, that water then spills over onto your roof and siding.

Pooling rainwater can weigh a roof down. And if your roof tiles are of heavy concrete, then your roof could buckle under the weight of the water and concrete. If you can’t safely reach your gutters, then hire a professional to clean them and repair them for you.  

Look for signs of damage in the roof cavity

Take a torch into your roof cavity and check for damage. Obvious signs of damage are sunlight showing through the roof, dark patches and sagging. All of these signs indicate that you need roof repair urgently. The longer you put repairs off, the more likely the damage will worsen and the roof repair will become a partial or full roof restoration.

Do you need professional roof repairs after a recent storm? Then you need the services of a reputable roof repair specialist. Call Homestyle Roof Painters today to arrange for roof inspection and repair. We’ll identify any problems and fix them quickly and safely.

The estimated lifespan of a residential roof is around 25 to 40 years, depending on the material. However, not all roofs maintain optimal functionality throughout the projected usable life. Some crumble within a few years, cost homeowners thousands of dollars in repairs, and eventually fail.

Various factors affect the performance and lifespan of a roof. Thus, it’s essential to know them, so you achieve a reliable and long-lasting roof. With this in mind, here are the four factors that may impact your roof’s performance and tips on how to improve it.

1. The slope of your roof

Roofs are generally categorised into two: Flat and pitched roofs. The slope of your roof can affect how well it holds up to weather elements such as rainwater and UV radiation. Flat roofs are low-sloped, which means they have difficulties draining water away from the surface. Therefore, issues of ponding and leaking are common in flat roofs as compared to pitched roof systems.

Similarly, since flat roofs have an almost non-existent slope, solar radiation hits directly on the surface. Increased UV exposure increases the risk of fading, UV damage and energy inefficiency. Thus, if you have a flat roof system, the odds may be against you regarding performance and longevity. Therefore, regular maintenance is crucial to prevent leaks, limit UV damage and extend the structure’s lifespan.

2. Roof orientation

Australia is in the Northern Hemisphere; thus, most areas experience a sun directed from the north. For this reason, homes facing north usually get more sun exposure than south-facing ones. This orientation is also the best for maximum solar energy output. However, it can affect your roof’s performance. Roofing systems with a northern orientation get a lot of exposure during the day.

More UV exposure means your roof fades faster than those with minimal exposure. This not only reduces aesthetic appeal but also impacts the energy efficiency of the roof. UV rays can also accelerate wear and tear due to material expansion and contraction with the changing temperatures.  

If you have a north-facing roof, you need to stay on top of maintenance. Inspect it regularly for signs of fading, premature wear and leaks. Also, monitor energy consumption, especially during the summer, when there is significant UV exposure. Repaint your roof and repair damaged components to extend the structure’s lifespan.

3. The climate of your area

Inclement weather such as hail and thunderstorms can affect your roof’s performance. Unfortunately, these are quite common in spring and summer. Hail can dent a metal roof and dislodge weak tiles. It also leaves dings and dents on aluminium siding and metal gutters. Over time, severe hailstorms can weaken your roof, leaving it vulnerable to leaks. If left unrepaired, leaking roofs and drains can cause costly structural damage to your home.

If large tree branches are overhanging your roof, severe storms can cause these branches to fall on the structure. Just like hail, heavy branches cause physical damage to a roof by denting and dislodging materials. It’s crucial to schedule a professional roof inspection after an incidence of inclement weather. The roofing contractor can repair any damage before it affects the rest of the structure.

4. Roof colour

Your roof’s colours can affect its performance. Dark colours absorb a lot of radiation and heat, which increases the home’s cooling demand and impacts the durability of the materials. Lighter colours reflect solar radiation, prevent heat gain and keep your roof cool during the hot season.

Today, there are cool roofs, which have highly reflective paint coating to reduce heat absorption. If you don’t have a cool roof, you can repaint it using light, reflective colours to achieve similar results. Regularly repainting your roof every few years can optimise performance and extend its usable life.

These factors determine how well your roof holds up to the elements. However, with regular professional inspections, maintenance and repairs, your roof can withstand harsh conditions and last for a long time. Contact us today for professional roof repairs, painting and restoration.