Replacing your roof is not something you do every day, for some people, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Understanding the ins and outs of reroofing can make the process much easier and allow you to better understand the roofing process. Take a look below for some answers to the frequently asked questions when reroofing your house.
How Often Does A House Need Reroofing?
The average lifespan of a roof depends on the materials used but generally speaking, anywhere from 30 to 70+ years is the norm. The lifespan of your roof will depend on whether it has been regularly maintained, the materials used when it was built, and the age of your home.
When Should You Reroof?
A new roof is needed if there are visible signs of corrosion, rust, mould or leaks. Sometimes this can be due to age, environmental conditions, accidental damage or structural reasons. Whatever the reason, once your roof has stopped protecting your home, it needs to be replaced. See here for more information on how to check if your roof needs replacing.
What Gets Replaced With A New Roof?
Reroofing involved completely removing the old roof materials, replacing the lining, repairing any issues or alterations to the roof deck and installing the new roof and guttering if required. Reroofing is generally required when repairs to the old roof become uneconomical, or the damage is too extensive.
Do I Need To Move Out?
There is usually no need to move out when your roof is being replaced. There shouldn’t be any damage to the inside of your home; in fact, you probably won’t even notice anything different until you go outside. Your roof installer will have options in place to cover the possibility of wet weather.
How Much Does A New Roof Cost?
There are a range of variables that affect the cost of a new roof, including size, materials, complexity and location. It is best to get a quote from a qualified roofing installer, but for a rough idea of the costs of each type of roofing material, see here.
How Long Does It Take to Reroof A House?
The average time it takes to reroof a house from start to finish is between three days to one week. The length of time it takes will largely depend on the size and complexity of the roof and, of course, the weather. It is a good idea to ask your installer for an estimated completion time frame when they are quoting the job.
How Long Does A Reroof Last?
Your new roof is going to last anywhere from 30 to 80 years, depending on the types of materials used and the complexity of the roof. Many roofing products, such as longrun roofing iron, provide additional guarantees for the life of the product.
Will Insurance Cover A Roof Replacement?
In general, homeowner’s insurance policies in New Zealand won’t payout for a replacement roof. This is because most roofing issues are due to gradual deterioration due to everyday wear-and-tear or neglect. However, there may be instances where roof repairs and replacements are covered where damage to the roof results from natural disasters such as high winds and falling branches, etc.
Which Roof Is The Cheapest?
In New Zealand, the cheapest type of roofing materials are longrun iron and metal tiles. Concrete tiles, clay tiles, and asphalt shingles are more expensive and more complicated to install.
Can You Partially Replace A Roof?
The short answer is ‘yes’. But, unless the damage is restricted to a small section or there is no other visible deterioration, it is usually advised that the entire roof be replaced to ensure the roof’s integrity for the future.
What Are My Roofing Options In NZ?
In NZ, the most common roofing materials are longrun iron, metal tiles, asphalt, concrete tiles, bitumen membrane roofing and clay tiles. For most homeowners, the choice of roofing depends on the desired look and style of the home, local environmental factors and neighbourhood trends. In New Zealand, the majority of residential homes have either longrun iron, pressed metal tiles or concrete tile roofs.
What Is Flashing?
Flashing is a metal covering or channel used at the junction of pieces of roofing. Flashing is designed to prevent water from entering the roof cavity at this junction.
Dark vs Light Roof Colours?
The colour of your roof may affect the temperature of your home. Generally speaking, lighter coloured roofs (white, beige or light grey) are better at reflecting heat away from the building, while darker roof colours better absorb the heat likely transferring it into the house below.
What Colour Metal Roof Is The Coolest?
Because dark colours are more likely to absorb heat, lighter colours such as white, beige, and light grey are considered more reflective and therefore referred to as ‘cooler’ colours.
What Is The Most Popular Roof Colour In NZ?
In NZ, the most popular colours for longrun iron roofing are shades of black, brown, and grey. This includes Colorsteel specific colours such as Slate, Ebony, Ironsand, and Grey Friars. Concrete tile roofing is usually a terracotta colour or shades of black, brown, or grey.
Is It Necessary To Replace The Insulation In The Ceiling Space?
This is entirely up to you at the time, however, it pays to note that it is a lot easier to quickly install insulation when the roof is off. Signs your insulation might need replacing are if there are holes or pieces missing, visible mould or damp areas, and if it has shrunk below the level of the truss timber in the ceiling.
What Are Snow Straps?
Snow straps are metal support brackets attached from the roof edge to the outside edge of your guttering. Their job is to secure the gutters and prevent them from disengaging from their brackets when snow settles on your roof. In NZ, these are usually only seen on roofs in the colder parts of the South Island.
What Is The Best Time Of Year To Get A New Roof?
In NZ, the best time of year to get a new roof is during the Autumn months. This is because the weather is at its most settled, and temperatures are fairly mild. However, a roof can be replaced at any time of the year, weather permitting.
Is It Worth Getting A New Roof?
A well maintained and quality roofing system is one of the easiest ways to upgrade your home instantly. As well as ensuring the water-tightness of the building, it adds value, increases curb appeal, and has the potential to aid in increasing energy saving abilities.
Do I Need To Install Roof Ventilation?
While there are no set building regulations for installing roof ventilation in residential homes in NZ, this is definitely a question you should ask of your roofing contractor. Roof ventilation requirements are going to be different for each individual site and are best addressed at the quoting stage of your new roof. See here for more information on the importance of good ventilation.
Can I Repair The Roof Myself?
While we are a country of DIY’ers, attempting to replace your roof on your own is not advised. Roof replacement can be a pretty complex process that requires specialised equipment and skills – best leave this one to the professionals.
What Causes A Roof To Wear Out?
Severe weather, sunlight, mildew growth, and environmental conditions such as salty air are all things that can cause a roof to wear out prematurely. Sometimes severe hail striking the roof can even remove or chip the coating.
Does The Old Roof Need To Be Removed Before Putting The New One On?
While it is technically possible to layer a new roof on top of another, this is not advisable. It is always better to completely remove the old roof as this means any parts of the roofing substrate can be checked and replaced if necessary. It also avoids problems in the future relating to the double layer situation. But don’t worry, your roofing installer will take care of removing the old roof for you, including disposing of the materials.
Do The Trusses And Timber Under The Roof Need Replacing?
If the wood beneath your roof shows signs of water damage, rot, or other damage, it will need to be replaced as well. Your roofing installer will carry out an inspection of the roofing substrate before the job commences and while it is underway to ensure these things are discovered and fixed.
How To Choose The Right Roofing Contractor?
Always get a detailed quote from at least three roofers. Be careful to make sure each of the quotes covers the same level of service (including things like removing existing roof materials and cleaning up afterward, etc.). Make sure they show everything that was discussed on them. Asking for referrals is an excellent way to narrow down the field, or see here for more on choosing a roofing contractor.
Have more questions? Contact Action Reroofing for all of your roofing repairs or roof replacement assessment today.
