What steps have you taken to prepare your roof for bush fire season ? After facing some of the hottest days of the year so far,  Australians are bracing themselves for a dangerous summer. With endless beach trips and festivities on our agenda, families often forget how important it is to ensure their homes are protected from bush fires. As the warmer weather creeps in, back burning and purpose-lit fires can spiral out of control- requiring homeowners to be prepared in case of emergency.

 

LET’S DEBUNK SOME MYTHS

No matter where you are located, bush fires are able to ravage rural, coastal and suburban areas. Many believe that they aren’t affected by a bush fire based on the type of area they live in or the distance between the fire and their home.

The reality is, bush fires can victimise areas within a 30 km radius. Embers are easily carried by strong winds and smoke, which pose extreme danger to properties. For homes by the water and those with a large pool, these embers can easily travel through the air and onto your roof.

 

BE FIRE SAFE, THE MLR WAY

The team at MLR know the most effective ways to be fire safe this summer. Taking the right steps to prepare your roof for bush fire season can protect your family and home from disaster.

 

CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS

After strong winds and dry seasons, your roof’s gutter is filled with twigs and leaves that are perfect for kindling. Embers that travel around affected areas can easily land in your gutters and cause havoc. Your gutters should be regularly cleared for health and maintenance purposes.

 

ATTACH A FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM

For rural properties, this is a must. Fire sprinkler systems offer external protection for a home and act as a huge help for firefighters. Sprinklers are equally as effective on the ground and can be installed throughout gardens to minimise embers sparking.

 

INSTALL METAL GUTTER GUARDS

By installing these, you can put a firsthand stop to debris collecting in gutters and prevent embers from landing in your roof space. Speciality guards ensure your gutters are fire retardant and are used in Class A fire safe roofing.

 

REPAIR DAMAGED ROOFS

Enclosing every gap in a roof can significantly reduce the impact of embers. Wooden beams, insulation and storage in an attic are all incredibly flammable items and are the first point of contact if your home does ignite. For those considering installing a new roof, Class A fire safe roofing should be your first choice. Common fire safe roof coverings are available in fibreglass composition shingles, concrete and clay tiles. Taking steps to ensure your roof is completely fire resistant will significantly improve your fire safety rating.

 

MLR Slate Roofing have over 20 years experience maintaining and installing roofs across Sydney.  MLR can prepare your roof for bush fire season without the fuss and worry. Leave it to us to ensure your home is fitted with the right gutters and guards this summer. 

 

For all of your roofing needs and more expert advice, contact us to ensure your roof is maintained at the highest quality. 

 

 

 

Tile or metal roof? Roofing specialists get asked this question quite often. The answer is dependant on many factors, including budget factors and environmental and structural considerations. With new trends emerging in the design and construction of Australian homes, traditional materials tend to change. Modern homes are now seen with a metal or tin roof, rather than traditional concrete tiles and slate alternatives. We recommend considering the following points when you select a roof material based on practicality over personal preference.

 

Cost

We all know how costly renovations can become. You can find a great roofing specialist that will meet your budget, but the materials you choose can blow it out of proportion. Traditional terracotta tiles are more expensive by a mile- as that sought-after Mediterranean look does come at a price. With concrete and ceramic tiles, you’ll be expecting to pay around $80- $120 per square metre, with the price climbing for terracotta.

For limited budgets, metal roof is the way to go in terms of value. For an unlimited amount of colours and a profile to suit every house, your dream home can be achieved for a reasonable price. With extended warranties, you can expect to pay around $50-60 per square metre.

 

Aesthetics

Tiles add a beautiful, charming aesthetic to a home. Hampton’s, Spanish, Californian Bungalow and Mediterranean styles all heavily feature the use of tiles in their design. Tiled roofing has swept the market of coastal homes and housing estates, as these styles have made a strong come back in the past few years. Gable and hipped style roofs best suit tiles, as their brilliant gloss shines nicely in the sun and can be seen from the ground up.

For modern and coastal style homes, a metal roof is recommended. These styles often steer away from traditional styles of roofing- requiring a material that can work with curves and flat styles of roofing. Metal roofing can appear to be sleek, crisp and contemporary- to perfectly complement an architectural wonder.

 

Colour

Unconventional colour choices are a perfect way to top off a contemporary home design or renovation. The colour of a roof isn’t restricted to a traditional terracotta orange, as there are a plethora of options available from Spanish grey to midnight blues.

While tiles have a beautiful lustre and complement most homes- they do come in restricted colours. Most tiles are only available in shades of ochre and blue- which can look mismatched with many styles of homes.

Unlike tiles, metal roofing has no limits when it comes to a colour palette. Most manufacturers have colours available in reds, blues, greens, yellows and even purple. Using an unconventional colour choice ensures you’ll be a stand-out in your neighbourhood for years to come.

 

Maintenance

Tiles are a beautiful, traditional roof covering yet they’re much more porous and fragile compared to metal roofing. Ceramic tiles are prone to chip and crack under severe weathering conditions and require replacement to prevent major leakages. In cooler climates that see less sun, mould and mildew spores easily spread between the tiles. If mould isn’t removed with regular maintenance and cleaning, your family home is exposed to serious health risks. 

A treated metal roof is a great choice for those seeking a low-maintenance solution. A metal roof can withstand Australia’s harsh climate and is non-combustible, making it perfect for bush fire prone areas. However, after long periods of time they could warp, rust and corrode if not treated properly.

 

Insulation

A metal roof offers exception insulation qualities- making it a perfect choice for Australia’s testing climate. As a result, a homeowner’s energy bill is significantly reduced depending on their choice of roofing material. When installing new vents and air conditioning systems, a metal roof can be extremely difficult to work with compared to tiled alternatives.

Like metal, tile roofing offers great insulation all year round. Tiled roofing is excellent as an acoustic insulator and does keep the noise at bay- especially during storms. For installation of vents and air conditioning systems, the process is a lot simpler.

 

We all know how much homeowners take pride in a beautiful roof. Making the right choice for your home’s design and budget is absolutely crucial in creating the perfect home.

For all of your roofing needs and more expert advice, contact us to ensure your roof is maintained and restored to its highest quality.

 

 

No matter what style of roof is covering your home, it will require roof repairs during its lifetime. Neglecting signs of a damaged roof can lead to costly and extensive roof repairs down the track. Noticing early signs of a damage ensures your home can be quickly and safely repaired, before imposing major safety and structural threats. We’ve devised the top list of roof repairs signs you should be looking out for.

 

The Age of Your Roof

 

For those with shingles or tiles, the rule of thumb is to repair it every 20 years. Despite a roof looking relatively new or stable from the ground, the build up of minor internal, structural and cosmetic damages create an overwhelming amount of problems. Consulting a roofing specialist for an inspection can give you a clear indication into the lifespan of your roof before it requires repairs.

 

Flashings, That Aren’t So Flash

 

Flashings surrounding extensions, chimneys, skylights and vents tend to age with time. They serve an important purpose of sealing a join and protecting the roof cavity against weathering and leaks. With time, flashings can lift, puncture or split depending on the material used. A roof inspection to check the condition of these gives clear indications into whether you need a quick fix or a major overhaul in roofing repairs.  

 

Mould and Mildew Growth

 

Often people with neglected roof cavities are unaware of the damage it poses to your home. Unseen cracks and openings creates a hazardous breeding environment for mould and mildew spores within the roof cavity. When left untreated, the spores can spread through tiles, gutters, cavities, air vents and indoors. Not only posing a threat to the condition of your roof, these harmful microbes can pose serious health risks to you and your family.  If you notice mould and mildew rapidly growing on your walls and ceilings, consult a professional to inspect the condition of your roof.

 

When It Rains, It Pours  

 

Dripping ceilings and indoor waterfalls are the first things that come to mind when we think of needing roof repairs. This is a clear indication of an extensively damaged roof. Falling debris and hail are known to develop cracks and shifting in tiles. This creates an opportunity for water to pool within the roof cavity and leak excessively during torrential rainfall. If left unattended, ceilings and structures cave in due to the structural integrity being compromised.

 

Tile Warp

 

This is one of the clearest indicators of a roof needing repair, not a Richard O’Brien rock classic. Slate roof tiles curl, warp or completely fall off when they are poorly installed or a victim of extreme weathering. Slight warping or curling can lead to water and pollutants seeping into your roof cavity, potentially resulting in moisture damage. You may see visible signs of this from the ground, yet consulting a roofing specialist will give you a better indication into whether you require roof repairs.

 

If your roof is showing one or more of these signs, we recommend contacting our team of trained professionals.  MLR provides roof inspections and emergency roof repairs to clients all over Sydney.

 

 

There is no greater feeling than standing back and admiring a newly renovated roof. Many think that preserving the fresh, modern and well-maintained facade is impossible as time goes on. The reality is, the more attention you give to your new roof, the more it’s condition and appearance will improve in return. Here are MLR’s top tips on how to maintain a new roof. 

 

Spring Clean Your New Roof

Clearing out gutters, downpipes and removing fallen debris is the number one maintenance move for any new roof. Fallen branches, pollutants and leaves can forge internal water leaks and promote mould and mildew growth throughout your roof cavity. Safely clearing out congested gutters ensures your roof can properly drain and repel bacteria and vermin. If you’re unsure how to safely clean your roof or are uncomfortable doing so, always consult a professional.

 

Control Surrounding Threats

Seek to minimise the risk of pollutants falling onto your new roof. Trimming overhanging trees or installing bird spikes to prevent a landing strip for the native wildlife, will significantly prolong the health of your new roof. Animal droppings, tree sap and leaves easily stain and penetrate a roof’s new surface. Controlling external threats will ensure your roof will be debris and pollutant free.

 

Repel moss and mould

In warmer climates and seasons of heavy rainfall, moss and mould spores are known to grow in between tiles. Mould that is left to fester can become an eyesore, as well as a significant risk to your health. By safely removing the residue using a little elbow grease and applying spray repellents, this ensures your roof tiles will uphold a clean and new quality.

 

Seek Professional Help

Investing in a regular roof inspection or a quick fix to ensure your roof is safe will protect you and your family from disaster. Years of neglect or exposure to dangerous storms can pose dangerous, unseen risks to your home’s new roof. Calling in a professional for a quick look over is as necessary as an annual dental visit.

 

For all of your roofing needs and more expert advice, contact us to ensure your roof is maintained and restored to its highest quality.