What You Need to Know About Roof Repairs in Christchurch

When you invest in a home, it’s easy to get lost under a pile of what feels like constant maintenance concerns. Our long history of conducting roof repairs Christchurch-wide shows that this is certainly true in our neck of the woods.

The good news for property owners is that staying on top of your roof repairs and maintenance doesn’t need to be a chore. Knowing the signs of impending roof damage and understanding some of the common issues with roofing in this region will guard against any potential minor issues escalating into nightmare scenarios that may cost you excessive amounts of time and money. 

Vigilance is the key to staying on top (pun intended) of your roof repairs. Be sure to have your professional roofing crew round a couple of times a year to conduct inspections, and also think about calling them in if there has been a particularly harsh weather event.

Read on as we flag and highlight some information that will be useful when you are thinking about roof repairs Christchurch-wide, from flashing to shingles and beyond.

Common Issues with Christchurch Roofs

When you think about your home, your roof is the primary protection between you and the elements. With full roof replacements representing a sizeable cost, it’s always better to keep a close eye on your roof for signs of some of the most common issues that crop up so you can deal with them before they progress. 

In Christchurch, our climate is fairly comfortable, but a few things make it a unique environment for roofing. Specifically, occasionally high winds, plenty of salty air from the surrounding coastlines, and the frosts that grace many of our mornings. 

With those conditions in mind, here are some of the most common issues we may get called out to when we conduct roof repairs Christchurch-wide.

High Winds

With the recent weather changes the country has been experiencing, homeowners are dealing with damage from high winds more than ever. When wind speeds kick up, it can pick up debris or rip shingles free, which opens the door for further damage. You may end up with tree branches hitting your roof, and it’s likely that piles of organic matter will collect on your roof - which can lead to water pooling.

Frost and Freezing Rain

With frost and freezing rain comes all manner of potential issues that can escalate if left unattended. When frost freezes on your roof and then melts, it causes expansion and contraction; this can cause your tiles or other roofing materials to crack. This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in areas that get snow across the colder months. Once your roofing splits or tiles begin to crumble, it’s a short road to a leaky roof or wet insulation.

Roofing and Saltwater

Saltwater environments or marine environments with a lot of saline in the air can increase the speed of corrosion on almost all roofing types. While metal roofing with the right coating doesn’t react as much to the high saline environment, it can still fall victim to the vagaries of salty air over time.

5 Signs of Roof Damage to Look Out For

Shaky Shingles

Loose granules, shingles that have lifted in the wind, or a patchy shingle roof can all set off devastating damage to your home or commercial property. Lots of roof repairs Christchurch-wide involve dealing with the knock-on damage that occurs when your shingle maintenance and repairs are not kept up to date.

Mould, Corrosion, or Decay

As with any aspect of your home, mould, rust, and decay are all signs that water has made it into your roofing system. This is a problem that can spread quickly, especially in cold or wet weather, so make sure to have it seen to as quickly as possible. Any level of moisture ingress is going to cause this kind of scenario over time.

Gutters 

Guttering and downpipes funnel water off your roof, keeping it dry and offsetting the risk of moisture entering your property’s interior, the cladding - even your basement and foundations. If your gutters are left to clog, or water begins to pool or slip through cracks in your gutters, you could very quickly start to sustain extensive damage to your structure. 

Make sure to regularly check your gutters for signs of trouble, including decay, rust, leaky seams, or loose brackets and bolts. Regularly clearing your gutters is imperative to ensure that your home retains its value.

Faulty Flashing

In roofing terms, flashing is the bridge between your roofing material and windows, chimneys, and other structures. It functions to seal and direct water away from the features that are necessary on your roof. When your flashing is damaged, it can open the door to a host of other problems. To ensure your flashing is in good order, we look for tears or buckling around roof penetrations like your chimney or windows. 

Standing Water or Internal Leaks

While it might be tempting to ignore a leak and hope it goes away, standing water or leaks in your roof are signs of underlying damage. Water in your roofing system is like a virus in the body – it spreads quickly and needs immediate attention.

Wet insulation, mould, rust, and decay can all result from a leak left to its own devices. In fact, it’s a primary reason we get called out for roof repairs Christchurch-wide. 

Call Our Team Now

Contact us today for a free roof inspection and consultation. We’re your one-stop shop for all roof inspections, maintenance and roof repairs in Christchurch.