If you’ve started to spot signs of damage or wear and tear on your roof, you might feel a sudden panic thinking of the costly repairs to your roof. However, depending on the damage involved and the type of roof material you have, the cost of roof restoration can vary.
What Do Roof Restorations Involve?
Roof restoration often means cleaning, repairing, and painting your roof – in essence, giving it a full makeover to extend the life of your roof.
It’s typically cheaper than a complete roof replacement. However, a roof restoration is slightly more extensive than a roof repair, which often just involves fixing small issues, like broken tiles or a leak.
Roof restorations can vary depending on the type of roof material and the expanse and complexity of your roof. If you consult a professional roofer, you’ll also need to consider the labour costs, as well as the raw materials needed.
Metal Roof Restoration
If you have metal roofing, your roof restoration could mean patching up leaks, or replacing sheets, as well as ensuring the flashing seal is intact.
Roof Tile Restoration
A tiled roof restoration could mean replacing cracked or broken tiles, rebedding and repointing. You should also apply an anti-fungicide protective coating and seal.
What Are Signs You Need Roof Restoration?
Your roof is a vital protective layer between yourself and the elements – and while you might be intimidated thinking, ‘How much does roof restoration cost,’ repairs are important if you notice any of the following.
Water Damage
Heavy rains are wearing on your roof, and water damage is a significant issue for homeowners in Australia. Excess water can cause leaks and mould.
Mould or Algae
Water damage can cause mould or algae to grow between your tiles, leading to wood rot. You might not immediately notice mould or algae on your roof tiles, which is why regular roof inspections and health checks are important.
Cracks and Holes
Falling tree branches, hail, and other debris can crack and damage your roof tiles or metal sheets. They may also puncture roofing materials below the tiles, which may be hard to see.
Loose Shingles
Falling debris and excessive winds can loosen shingles or tiles, which can expose your roof interior if left unchecked. They can also be dangerous if they fall or if you slip on them during your roof checks.
Roof Sagging
Sagging roofs are particularly common issues on flat roofs – and are a sure sign of damage. If you notice your roof sagging, it’s best to get urgent help to avoid costly repairs down the line.
Deteriorating Roof Valleys
Worn and loose material or flashing around chimneys, vents, pipes, or other protrusions in your roof valleys need to be fixed quickly.
Corrosion
Rust on your roof is a sign of corrosion, which means you have a damp problem. If you have corrosion on your metal roof, it’s best to speak to a professional to inspect the damage.
Damaged Gutters
Broken or clogged gutters can prevent water from draining properly, which can cause further issues like mould, corrosion, and other damage.
Life Expectancy
No matter how well you care for your roof, each roof has a life expectancy. Depending on the roof materials, your roof may last anywhere from 15 to 150 years. Restoring your roof will save you from facing an expensive roof replacement in the future.
What Is the Average Cost of Roof Restoration?
Your roof restoration cost depends on several factors. Here are the average costs for a medium-sized roof:
- Roof cleaning: $250-500
- Spot repair: $200-500
- Metal roof repairs: $48-58 per square metre
- Tile roof repairs: $55-65 per square metre
Overall, you can expect to pay around $2,500 for a full roof restoration of an average-sized house. If you have a large tiled roof, you might pay $4,500-20,000 for a full restoration.
What Affects Roof Restoration Costs?
Not all roofs are the same – different factors affect how much you’ll pay. For instance, larger and older tiled roofs will cost more than a relatively new one.
- Size of the roof
- Extent of roof restoration
- Roof pitch
- Roofing material
- Roof age
- Accessibility
Roof Restoration vs. Roof Replacement
So, what’s the difference between a roof restoration and a replacement? The latter generally will be more extensive and cost you a lot more.
Replacing tiles will make your roof last longer. That said, a restoration can extend your roof’s life by 15 years. So, unless your roof requires replacing, roof restorations are more affordable for many homeowners.
How Long Does a Roof Restoration Take?
Roofing companies will complete your roof restoration in anywhere from two to 10 working days. The time it takes depends on the size of your roof, the type, the weather conditions, and the extent of restoration needed.
If you prefer to do it yourself, it will likely take a lot longer.
What Are the Benefits of Roof Restoration?
- Extending the life of your roof: A restoration can extend the lifespan of your roof by 15 years.
- Improve energy efficiency: Caring for your roof can help reduce heat loss and gain, which can improve energy efficiency.
- Increase property value: A new-looking roof can improve the curb appeal of your home.
- Prevent structural damage: Fixing cracks or leaks can help prevent future damage.
- Keep pests away: A clean roof can discourage pests, like termites and cockroaches, from infesting your home.
- Avoid expensive repairs: Repairing roof issues quickly or preventing them from happening will avoid more expensive restorations or replacements down the line.
Roof Restorations
A roof restoration can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a partial fix to tens of thousands for a full roof replacement. However, the cost of roof restoration is often worth it – it’ll help your roof last longer and prevent pricey issues from springing up when you least expect it.
FAQs
How Much Does It Cost to Re-Roof a House in Australia?
Reroofing costs depend on the size of your house, the materials used, and how challenging it is to access. On average, you can expect to pay $4,000-15,000, which works out at around $180-230 per square metre.
How Much Does It Cost to Repoint a Roof in Australia?
The cost of repointing your roof can range from $1,500-2,500 for average-sized roofs. You can usually expect to pay around $20-25 per square metre. However, the price varies depending on the size and shape of your roof and its condition.