Installing a New Roof in Sydney

How old is the existing Sydney roof?

If installed properly and with quality materials, an asphalt shingle roof should have a life expectancy of 20 to 25 years, and even sometimes longer. It also depends on the amount of shingle layers you have and whether it is properly ventilated. If you’ve lived there for many years and don’t know when the roof was last replaced, you should consider having a roof inspection.

• Go outside and look at your roof. Are the shingle lines still straight or can you see dips or other irregularities? A dip would indicate that the sheathing below is rotting. Pay close attention to the valleys, as these are one of the most important parts of your roof because it’s where rain flows to the gutters.
• When you clean your gutters (which should be done twice a year), if you find a lot of asphalt granules in the gutter it means that the asphalt shingles are breaking down and should be replaced soon.
• Do you see cracked, curled or distorted shingles? As shingles age, they begin to deteriorate. You should also make sure to see if there are any shingles missing and see if all of the tabs are intact.
• Does your chimney flashing consist of roof cement or tar? Chimneys can be a weak spot on roofs and need to have a long-term, water-tight fitting such as metal flashing.

If you’re starting to see some of these warning signs, please do not hesitate to contact one of our qualified roof inspectors to give you a professional assessment.

Tear Off and Overlay

When you start researching a possible new roof installation, you will need to decide whether to have the old roof stripped down to the wood decking or simply cover the existing roof with a new layer of shingles. The price difference will be considerable and homeowners often save 25 percent or more by reroofing instead of a tear off — but is that a good decision?

Sutherland Shire Roofers disagree on the answer, with some warning that the only way to find and repair weak spots is to strip the roof down to the plywood sheathing where they often find water damage that would otherwise not have been visible.

However, some Sutherland Shire roofers say adding a second layer of shingles can be a reasonable option. However, even they warn that reroofing is also more difficult, particularly when installing flashing around chimneys and other potential points of water entry, so the work needs to be done by a roofer with experience in this method.

Factors to consider when making the decision include:

The existing roof must be in good condition (other than age) and made of materials that are compatible with reroofing.

It’s beneficial if the condition of the roof’s underlying structure can be visually inspected from the attic and is not obscured by insulation or drywall.

Sydney Roofers warn that reroofing also requires shingle installation techniques that vary from the usual methods. For example, during an overlay, shingles are hand-nailed in nested clusters, while for new roof installations shingles are applied in rows using a nail gun.

In any new Sutherland Shire roof, the weakest areas are usually located around chimneys and other protrusions, as well as in the valleys where two slopes meet. When applying a second layer of shingles, the roofer needs to tear to the flashing and figure out whether to replace the original flashing or tie into it. Making the right decision on each of these points requires a skilled and experienced roofer.

In the end, it’s up to the Sydney homeowner to decide what type of roof installation is best.

Venting a roof

Like all areas of your home, the roof needs to have adequate air ventilation. There should be a balance between the amount of air intake at the soffits and the air exhaust near the ridge of the roof.

Insufficient roof ventilation can can cause serious complications. For example, if your roof overheats on hot days it will dry the roof shingles and cause them to delaminate or become brittle and get blown off by strong wind during storms. A poorly ventilated roof also can cause condensation in the attic and promote the growth of mould on the underside of the roof.

Hiring a roofer

Installing a new roof may be the single largest investment a homeowner can make. If all goes to plan, it’s an investment that should last 20 to 30 years or longer. However, this also makes it a big risk, because while there are many honest, knowledgeable roofers, there are also crooked and incompetent roofers.

We offer complete transparency at Hyspec Constructions and Roofing and would recommend following these tips to make sure you maximise your investment and avoid getting ripped off!

• Ask the contractor to show you proof of their licensing, workers compensation and liability insurance. Copy the contractor license number, which you can then verify with your state or local trade license board.
• Ask for references of past customers and call them. Any roofing contractor who acts offended when asked for references or licensing proof should be viewed with suspicion.
• Be cautious of someone who knocks at your door offering a promotion or deal, especially if it is after a major storm that’s done considerable damage in your area. Although some honest contractors seek work this way, it’s also a common tactic employed by scammers.

Is your roof insured and under warranty?

When something happens to your roof, you need to know what’s covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy and what your roofing warranties cover.

Many home insurance policies do not cover roof damage. The only way to know if your roof is covered is to ask your insurance company and review your policy. Evaluate the fine print on your home’s policy and check for any exclusions.

Also make sure you ask your insurance company about weather, fire and repair damage. Make sure to check with your insurance company about their policy for claim payment for any roof damage. Insurance companies that employ adjusters for roof repairs can make quicker payments for any roof damage.

Not all roofs need insurance for wind damage. However, homes in more rural areas are more susceptible to wind damage. Insurance policies that cover fire damage often include wind damage in the policy.

Roof warranties cover if the new roof installation is faulty or the roofing materials have a defect. There are two types of warranties, and most highly rated roofers offer both kinds. A manufacturer’s warranty covers the roofing materials, while a workmanship warranty protects you if something goes wrong due to the contractor’s faulty installation. Often, quality roofing contractors will offer a guarantee on their work for the lifetime of the roof.

What does a new roof cost?

Considering a new roof installation is one of the most expensive home improvement projects, it’s important to look at the various aspects that influence the cost to replace a roof.

There’s a wide price range for the various roofing types available from asphalt shingles to metal, tile, and slate. The type of roofing material you choose will be one of the biggest cost factors.

Your roof’s size and pitch also play a large role in price, as does accessibility to the roof. Make sure you consider all of these factors before being quick to judge any roofing quote! At Hyspec Constructions and Roofing we take the time to offer you an array of solutions for your particular situation to help you maximise your investment and to ensure that you aren’t surprised by any costs along the way.

At Hyspec Constructions & Roofing, we are professional roofers who take every measure to ensure your 100% satisfied with your roof repair or roof replacement. We work all over Sydney and the Sutherland Shire and know that every family has a different wants and needs. We will always give you the best advise based on your personal circumstances and always look for ways that can help you save. Through experience we’ve found that the clients who choose to increase the value of their home within a manageable budget are far happier and comfortable with the their choice!

Based in the Sutherland Shire, we are professional builders that promise to give you the best advice and guidance possible! Contact us now for a chat and get your project underway today!