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What You Need to Know About Roof Repairs in Christchurch

October 30, 2023

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.

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How to Safely and Effectively Remove Roof Lichen

By apisl2008 • April 1, 2025

Learn the safest and most effective methods for lichen removal—from DIY tips to expert treatments. Protect your roof and your home.

Why Choose Professional Roof Lichen Treatment for Lasting Results

By apisl2008 • March 26, 2025

If lichen has started its slow creep onto your roof, then you’re probably looking into a few different roof lichen treatment options. There are a lot of them out there, from home-brewed DIY suggestions to full-on professional-grade formulations applied by trained experts. While it’s tempting to choose the DIY route, there’s definitely a case for bringing the professionals in. Professional roof lichen treatment provides lasting results, which is a major plus when it comes to ultra-persistent lichen. Read on as we break down why choosing professional roof lichen treatment can be a major benefit for your roof, now and in the future. The Trouble with DIY Roof Lichen Removal DIY treatments might seem like a quick and easy fix, but they often don’t do the job properly. A lot of home remedies like vinegar, bleach, or store-bought sprays might knock lichen back for a while, but they don’t always get rid of it completely. Lichen is a tough little thing. It’s technically a collection of different organisms, from fungi to bacteria, so it can be difficult to kill with a single DIY treatment. That means it tends to cling on for dear life, and once it takes hold, it’s not going anywhere without a fight. Some homeowners try scrubbing it off or blasting it with a water blaster, but that comes with its own risks. Too much pressure can damage your roof, and if you don’t remove all the spores, the lichen will be back before you know it. The other issue? Most DIY solutions don’t offer long-term protection. You might get rid of what’s visible now, but without a proper treatment plan that kills the base fungus, lichen will just return, meaning more hassle (and cost) for you down the line. Why Professional Roof Lichen Treatment is Worth It They Know What They’re Doing Professional roof cleaners deal with lichen every day. They know exactly what type they’re dealing with, which treatments work best, and how to apply them properly. They also use high-quality, commercial-grade products that aren’t available at your local hardware store, so you’re getting a deeper, more effective clean. Your Roof Stays Lichen Free One of the biggest advantages of going pro is long-term protection. The best treatments don’t just kill off existing lichen; they also prevent it from coming back. That means a cleaner roof for longer and much less maintenance for you. Some companies even offer maintenance plans to keep lichen at bay, saving you the hassle of dealing with it yourself year after year. Protects Your Roof from Damage Lichen might look harmless, but it can be surprisingly destructive. It holds moisture against your roofing materials, which, over time, can lead to cracks, leaks, and even structural issues. If you go at it with a scrub brush or a water blaster, you risk damaging your tiles, shingles, or metal roofing. Professionals, on the other hand, use treatments designed to be tough on lichen but gentle on your roof. So, you won’t end up trading one problem for another. Saves You Time and Effort Let’s be honest: climbing onto your roof to deal with lichen isn’t exactly a fun weekend project. It’s time-consuming, physically demanding, and, if you’re not careful, downright dangerous. Hiring professionals to tackle your roof lichen treatment means you don’t have to lift a finger. They’ve got all the right safety gear, equipment, and know-how to get the job done quickly and effectively. Instead of spending hours battling lichen, you can leave it to the pros and get on with your day. If You Still Prefer DIY… Treating your roof lichen on your own is tougher than calling in the professionals, but if you already have some DIY know-how, then this might be your preference. Our recommendation? Make sure you find a roof lichen treatment that approaches or even matches the professional-grade sprays on the market. Not only will finding the right treatment ensure your lichen is properly dealt with, but it will also prevent that lichen from growing back fast enough to have you out there the following weekend. Something like our DeMoss moss, mould, and lichen remover is ideal here. It’s highly effective for homeowners jumping into lichen removal for themselves, and it’s cheaper than the formulas you’ll find elsewhere. At the end of the day, the number one thing to remember when dealing with roof lichen is to act fast. While this is a slow-growing organism, the damage it creates will last for your roof’s entire lifetime. Invest in a team of professionals to kill off the infestation and spray a protective layer that repels future lichen. If you’re going the DIY route, make sure to choose the right lichen killer and apply it carefully. And when in doubt, the team at Arthur’s Roof & Property is here to guide you. Get rid of roof lichen once and for all with a professional roof lichen treatment. Worried about the damage lichen could be causing to your property right now? Talk to the professionals at Arthur’s Roof & Property about treating your existing infestation and preventing lichen from growing on your roof in future. Get in touch to book your roof lichen treatment today.