FAQ
Are your quotes free?
YES. They are FREE to you. Boris will provide a comprehensive quote and solid building advice free of charge.
Why a Colorbond roof?
Colorbond is a brand name of a coated steel product that can be used for roofing.
For many commercial roofs, the unpainted Zincalume roofing sheets are used because they are less expensive and aesthetics are not important. For homeowners, a roof with Colorbond material will not only look better but will outlast a zincalume one
Colorbond roofs have become very popular in Sydney, and indeed Australia, because they are lightweight, durable, resists against the elements and create a modern look.
For flat roofs (apart from a membrane roof), the use of metal roof sheets is the only viable roofing option. So why not upgrade to a colorbond flat roof. It can be used in pitches from 1 degree to 90 degrees and can offer better thermal qualities with the effective use of insulation directly under the roof sheets. This insulation also has the benefit of reducing the noise of raindrops – although most people do not notice this noise as being obtrusive.
We get many queries about the advantages of colorbond roofs over tiled roofs. While both types of roofing material have their merits, we have been replacing many tiled roofs with colorbond mainly because the tiled roofs leak. A combination of trees dropping leaves and debris onto the tiled roofs and a low pitch of 25 degrees and less is a recipe for ongoing roof leaks that only a colorbond roof can solve.
For more insider tips on colorbond roofs… like the cost of colorbond roofs, thickness of colorbond roofs, ULTRA colorbond etc…visit our gallery.
I want to replace my roof
There are many reasons to consider a roof replacement
- The roof is leaking and not economical to repair.
- It is not functioning correctly.
- Roof tiles let in too much dust and it is too hot.
- The roof does not look good.
- You are extending and want a uniform look.
Whatever your reasons, we know enough about all the various options that we can work something out to suit your needs. Over half of our work involves replacement of roofs with colorbond metal roofs.
What about gutters and downpipes?
Whilst we do not specialise in eaves gutters and downpipes, we offer this service to customers normally in conjunction with our roof repair or replacement work.
Our customers find it more convenient for us to provide this service and we get a better, integrated result.
Leaking box gutters can cause a lot of damage to the interior of a building. Installation and replacement of box gutters are quite complicated and we thrive on this sort of challenging work. So if your box gutter leaks, or overflows during heavy rain… we can solve it for you.
What to do with an asbestos roof?
Asbestos cement roofing contains asbestos fibres bonded into a cement matrix. Keep it in there and there are no dangerous fibres to breathe in.
The problem occurs when the old asbestos cement roofing starts to crack and leak. Safework NSW discourages repair work. So it usually means that a roof replacement job by the Roofing Professionals is the best option. A Zincalume or Colorbond roof is the best option for an asbestos roof replacement.
Keep in mind that the disposal of the asbestos is very expensive and can even work out to be in excess of $50 per square metre for disposal.
How dangerous is asbestos?
The answer is to put into perspective the potential harm to our bodies by the exposure to asbestos fibres.
Passive and active smoking, overeating, lack of exercise, under nourishment, self induced stress, air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution………are all dangerous to our bodies. Asbestos is a natural substance with useful features. Unfortunately, asbestos fibres are not meant to be inhaled into our lungs at any great quantity. Our lungs cannot get rid of them efficiently and it clogs the tubes, leading to reduced breathing capacity. This does not kill you. It just cuts down your lung capacity much like the other types of substances that we are exposed to and have to breathe in.
Asbestos in your lungs can also cause lung cancer. Just as smoking (either active or passive) can cause lung cancer.
Have a look at this helpful website for further information-
https://www.airsafe.net.au/news/asbestos-roofs-know-risks
How long will my roof last?
Bluescope Lysaght guarantees their Colorbond for 25 years. CSR and Boral have a 50 year warranty on their concrete and terracotta tiles. In reality, we have seen roofs of lower specifications last much longer than those time periods.
Built properly, a roof usually spans almost a lifetime.
But then, we have seen roofs last only as long as it takes for the next storm to arrive! We get calls from people who have leaky roofs and when asked how old the roof is, there is an awkward silence. Then ‘brand new…..a few months old….not too old’ comes back as the answer.
The serviceability and durability of the roof depends on how the materials are put together. That is why the manufacturer’s warranties always state that their products must be installed to their specifications in order for their material warranty to be valid.
I have a minor leak. What do I need done?
A minor leak may mean a minor repair is required. It may also be a sign that some major repair work will soon be required.
Do not wait for it to rain before you contact us. When it rains, it seems like everyone is reminded that they have not attended to the minor problem that they know they have. And that they hope will go away by itself! We get so many calls after a storm that we have to set priorities and we will take a long time to get back to you. You could end up getting less attention and paying a higher price.
Don’t wait for the next rain. Contact us as soon as possible and if it is in a dry period, you will quite likely get a better deal!
Sometimes a minor leak is a sign of something more sinister. It will not go away. It can only get worse. Often, what seems quite OK on the surface is hiding something underneath. We find one major problem causing premature roof failure is caused by the incorrect use of different materials together.
What about a commercial roof?
Most of these roofs are metal and it is in this area that we really excel. We work either through a managing agent or directly with the owner. Our main aim is to keep the occupant’s business running with minimum disruptions.
Will I need my roof cleaned and painted?
If you want it to last longer, then a clean and paint will be wasting most of the money you spend.
If you have money to spare and want a good looking roof, then by all means get it done professionally. Do not get a cheap job. It will end up costing you more money in the long run.
Can slate roofs be repaired?
Most slate roofs are very old because there are not a lot of slate roofs being installed nowadays due to the high cost and lack of flexibility. When slates get old they lose their hardness, especially at the point where they are nailed to the support battens. The slates then work themselves loose and slide out of their spot, leaving a hole in your roof! They can be pushed back into their original position but will need alternative ways of holding it in place. Copper wires, metal hooks and even the trusty silicone sealant have been used successfully.
It is when a lot of slates start slipping and the slates are so soft that it breaks and cracks underfoot that a repair becomes uneconomical. It is usually time for a new Colorbond roof.
I can’t keep leaves out of my gutters, what do I do?
This is a problem when you have trees over or near your roof.
Do not use the plastic coils that are sold in hardware outlets. They keep the leaves in your gutters and prevent the efficient flow of rainwater. You need special gutters or effective gutter protection that covers the end of the roof before the gutter and over the top of the gutter to allow the wind to work in your favour by blowing the leaves off the roof. Let The Roofing Professionals Eastside handle that for you.
What is a box gutter?
A box gutter is so called because it is usually boxed into the middle or edge of the roof where it collects water and discharges it into a downpipe system. A good box gutter will have an emergency overflow so that when the downpipes block up or the capacity of the box gutter is exceeded, the backed up water can escape outside the roof area. Without an overflow, the excess water will flow back into the roof area and inside the building!
The box gutter is typically the weakest link in any roof and care must be taken that it is draining correctly and does not become blocked. The best decision for a box gutter is to use a better material than the roof. This usually means a Colorbond or stainless steel box gutter.
What is bedding and pointing?
A tiled roof has capping that covers the joints between the different sides of the roof. These are called ridge capping and they are held down onto the cut roof tiles by cement mortar. The cement mortar is called bedding because it holds the capping in a straight line. Once the bedding hardens and the ridge capping is supported, a layer of coloured material is applied over the exposed bedding to give the roof a cosmetic finish. This material is called the pointing.
In the old days, pointing was just coloured cement mortar which cracks with the natural movement in the tiles. Nowadays, a flexible pointing (a manufactured compound that comes in various colours) is used. It is flexible and is resistant to cracking and bonds to the tiles and ridge capping very well. This means that the ridge caps are a lot more securely bonded to the tiles and the movement of the ridges are eliminated.
When roofers refer to ‘Flexipoint’ is it a brand name that they use to represent a whole range of flexible pointing compounds manufactured by numerous companies.
And if you are looking for more technical information about ‘Flexipoint’, visit their website and check out their ‘How to flexipoint your roof – 4 steps to success’
How does roof painting cause leaks?
Of the many ways that painting of tile and metal roofs can cause leaks, the main culprit is the blocking of the designed drainage channels that are supposed to get rid of water drawn in via capillary action. So, on a tiled roof, the blocking of the weep holes in the bedding along the ridge by the thick paint is a common problem. Very few roof painters bother to clear the weep holes of paint…That is the difference between a professional and an amateur job.
What is the best sequence to replace roof elements?
If things are done in the right sequence, it is easier, cheaper and produces a better result.
We see many errors like re-pointing a tiled roof before the valleys and gutters are changed, putting a new roof on before making a decision of how to insulate under the roof .. etc.
Contact The Roofing Professionals Eastside and get it done right the first time.