Step-By-Step Guide to Reroof Your Home in Melbourne

The roof, one of your house’s vital components, should be appropriately installed to last for decades.

A well-designed New Roof Installation can protect your home, its residents, and its belongings from the external environment.

Although it’s one of the most durable parts of your house, you still need to deploy proper maintenance practices.

Sometimes, when the roof experiences minor damages, a quick fix is all it takes.

However, over time, your roof might suffer severe wear and tear and, thus, require more attention and work than a quick fix-up.

In such a case, professional roofers might recommend roof replacement or reroofing. Many homeowners opt for reroofing as the cost-effective alternative.

If you think your roof needs an update, keep reading to learn what makes new roof installation different from reroofing, essential reroofing accessories, and the steps involved in reroofing.

How is New Roof Installation Different from Reroofing?

Before learning how to reroof your home in Melbourne, let’s discuss how new roof installation differs from reroofing.

A complete roof replacement and new roof installation involves tearing off the existing tiles, fixing the underlying damage, and installing a new layer of tiles.

Although this roofing option is expensive, it offers long-term benefits, including enhancing the durability and appearance of the roof and improving your home’s energy efficiency.

On the other hand, reroofing is all about adding a layer of tiles on top of the old roof. This method is usually considered when your roof is in relatively good shape.

The plus point of reroofing is that it’s a more cost-effective option and takes less time to complete.

Enlisting Important Reroofing Accessories

Here are some essential roofing accessories that can be used for reroofing Melbourne. However, remember that not all reroofing projects might need all listed roofing accessories.

• Ice and rain shields: Ice and rain shields are installed to protect your roof and house against water infiltration caused by heavy rain and ice dams. These shields are usually made of rubberised asphalt material and provide the roof with a watertight seal. Ice and rain shields are used for homes in areas receiving more than average rainfall.
• Underlayment: A regular underlayment is made of synthetic material and provides additional protection against water infiltration. It prevents leaks, provides insulation to the roof, and acts as a barrier against moisture.
• Starter strip: A starter strip is used under the layer of tiles comprising a waterproof underlayment and battens disposed upon the underlayment. Installing it along the roof’s eaves can create a secure base for the first course of roof tiles during roof replacement Melbourne. It aids in preventing wind uplift and water infiltration while creating a clean, finished look along the edges of the roof.
• Cement and sealants: Cement and sealants are used to seal the edges and seams of roofing materials to prevent water from seeping. These are available in various colours to match the roofing material. Moreover, they can create a watertight seal around chimneys, vents, and other roof penetrations.
• Roofing tiles: You can find a variety of roofing tiles in different styles, patterns, sizes, shapes, and colours. A reroofing professional installs a layer of roofing tiles on the existing roof to maintain its durability and aesthetics. Terracotta and concrete tiles are your best choice when looking for durable roofing materials.
• Ventilation: Proper roof ventilation is crucial to remove moisture and heat from your attic, preventing roof insulation and deck damage. To enable proper ventilation, you can look for different roof vents, from solar to gable, ridge, or soffit vents.

Steps Involved in Reroofing Your Home

The following are seven simple steps to successful reroofing for your home in Melbourne:

1. Inspecting the roof: The first step in reroofing Melbourne is to examine the roof, evaluate its condition, and determine the best solution. If your roof is extensively damaged, your roofers might suggest reroofing or replacement. When opting for reroofing, explain how you want your roof’s structure to appear to the contractor.
2. Selecting the roofing materials: You can use various types of roofing materials to re-proof your house. However, many factors can influence your roofing materials choice, such as local weather conditions, your home’s structure, distance to the beach, and more. For instance, terracotta roof tiles are the best for a durable roof and to give it a natural, earthy look.
3. Preparation work: Before tearing off the damaged layer of your roof, professional re-roofers do the required prep work. The prep work can include installing safety boards for a steep roof, protecting landscaping, moving outdoor furniture and pots, and more.
4. Tearing off the roof: The next step is tearing the old roofing material down to the roof deck. In addition, re-roofers can remove other damaged roofing materials or repair them to eliminate any further issues with the new roofing.
5. Installing underlayment: Once the re-roofers confirm that your roof deck is in good shape, they will install the underlayment. If you live in an area that receives heavy rainfall, consider installing ice and water shields on valleys and roof penetrations in addition to the underlayment.
6. Installing roof flashings and tiles: After installing the roof underlayment, it’s time to install new roofing tiles. First, re-roofers install the starter strip and then the regular roofing tiles for a more durable and sturdier roof. In addition to roofing tiles, your contractor will also install roof flashings and a ventilation system.
7. Cleaning up: Professional re-roofers usually clean up the roof after removing the old materials. In addition, they do the final cleanup after installing the new roofing materials. Cleaners remove the debris from the roof and use a magnetic roller to ensure no staples or nails are left behind.

Wrapping up it all!

You can fix your damaged or old roof by opting for reroofing or roof replacement Melbourne.

However, nowadays, almost every other homeowner seems to choose reroofing over roof replacement because the former is the cost-effective option.

If you think your damaged roof can be fixed with reroofing, knowing the necessary roofing materials and steps involved can help you make correct reroofing decisions and, thus, complete the project successfully.