After the record temperatures of past years, it feels like the approach of La Nina – the cooler and wetter weather system – for the whole of the Southern Hemisphere is excellent news.
But La Nina might be a challenge if your roof isn’t up to scratch. Leaks that crack and stain the ceiling can also undermine the structure of your home and ultimately cause thousands of dollars in damage.
So, now we know that the rains are on the way this coming summer, there’s no excuse for not checking the state of your roof and fixing any problems. It’s always cheaper and less stressful to get ahead of property maintenance.
If you can see your roof is a ticking time-bomb, fix it. What is the point of waiting for it to flood your living room or kitchen?
Below is a list of tips to help you check for any signs of potential trouble.
Get into the roof cavity
You’ll find a maintenance hole in the ceiling that gives you access to the roof cavity. Grab a ladder and get up there. Have a look around for any signs of light coming through the tiles of the roof.
Check the insulation batts
If you find one or two that feel more compressed than the others, it’s possible water might have leaked on to them. Usually, the ceiling directly below will show an ugly brown stain, but not always.
Seal the deal
Check for any gaps around chimney seals, and the seals of any air-con unit up there. The AC always gets a work-out over summer months, so just run a finger over the seals to make sure there’s no moisture on them.
Get into the gutter
Outside the home, you need to check the gutters. These can hold grime and dirt that washes off the roof when it rains. Sometimes, plants can take root up there. Ultimately, the gutter becomes rusty and blocked, and rainwater will cascade down the inside of your walls. The resultant mould can also create health issues so it’s important to address it.
Crack alert
Cast a thorough eye over the tiles, flashing and mortar for cracks. Depending on what you find, and where you find it, you may want to call in a roofing expert to fix any flaws.
Discoloured roofing
This can be a sign of the roof slowly losing its integrity. If you see this, you should call in a roofer for an expert opinion.
Grime’s a crime
If mould, algae or dirt has accumulated on your roof, you need to wash it away to avoid it eating into your roofing material. This will help keep it in tip-top condition. If you don’t have a pressure wash or want to climb the ladder (and that’s understandable), it’s possible to hire specialised roof washers.
Be real with external seals
It’s easy to pass over this essential part of the roof. Water can get into every nook and cranny, especially in a big thunderstorm. Watch for broken or incomplete seals and cracked mortar.
The fix is in
Usually, it’s pretty simple to fix all these problems. A caulking gun, rather than a tube, is best if you need to use silicon to re-seal or replace the seals, or plug gaps in bricks and mortar. But if you have problem tiles, it might be safest to call in the experts.