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Roof Restoration vs Roof Replacement in Brisbane – What’s the Real Cost in 2026?

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 06:23:14 GMT

Key Takeaways

Brisbane homeowners are facing a critical roofing decision in 2026. With construction costs climbing and quotes varying by tens of thousands of dollars, choosing between roof restoration and full roof replacement has never been more consequential for your wallet.

This guide breaks down the real numbers, explains when each option makes financial sense, and shows you how to avoid overpaying for roofing work in today’s market.

Brisbane roof costs have increased significantly in 2026 due to rising labour costs and material prices, making informed decisions essential.
Roof restoration typically costs $4,000–$15,000+ for most Brisbane homes, while complete roof replacement ranges from $18,000–$55,000+, with complex jobs exceeding $80,000.
If your roof structure and battens are sound, a quality roof restoration can extend roof life by 10–20 years at roughly 50–70% of replacement costs.
Full replacement is only financially sensible when there’s major structural damage, widespread tile failure, or the roof is near the end of serviceable life.
Book a detailed professional roof inspection to obtain written comparison quotes for both options before committing to either.

Why 2026 Is a Turning Point for Brisbane Roof Costs

Construction inflation, labour shortages, and higher material costs across Queensland have pushed both restoration and replacement pricing to new highs in 2024–2026. Brisbane labour rates now sit at $80–$120 per hour, with complex roofing work commanding even higher rates.

Many Brisbane homeowners in suburbs from Carindale to Redcliffe are receiving quotes that differ by $20,000–$40,000 between restoration and replacement options. The gap has never been wider, and making the wrong choice can mean either overspending on unnecessary work or under-investing in a roof that needs proper attention.

This article focuses specifically on Brisbane conditions in 2026, including climate demands, local labour rates, and common roof types like concrete tile , terracotta tile , and Colorbond metal . You’ll learn how to calculate the true long-term cost of each approach.

What Is Roof Restoration vs Roof Replacement?

Understanding the difference between these two options is essential before comparing prices.

Roof restoration keeps your existing roof structure and materials while renewing them through:

High pressure cleaning to remove moss and lichen growth
Replacing broken tiles or damaged tiles
Re-bedding and re-pointing ridge caps
Repairing flashings and valleys
Applying protective coatings or membranes to the roof surface

Roof replacement strips most or all existing roof materials back to the frame, then involves:

Removing and disposing of old roofing materials
Rectifying timber damage and installing new battens
Laying new roof sheeting or roof tiles
Installing new sarking, flashings, and often new gutters

Both options solve roof leaks and improve appearance. However, the level of intervention, disruption, and overall cost differs vastly.

Real 2026 Cost Ranges in Brisbane: Restoration vs Replacement

These prices represent averages for detached homes across Greater Brisbane, from Logan to Caboolture. Your actual quote will vary by roof size, roof access, and roofing materials.

Example calculation: A 180 m² tiled roof in Wynnum might cost $9,000–$11,000+ for professional restoration versus $28,000–$40,000+ for a tile-to-metal replacement.

Cost Drivers for Roof Restoration in Brisbane (2026)

Restoration costs in 2026 are primarily driven by roof size, condition, material type, and access.

Roof size and complexity:

More square metres means more pressure cleaning, coating, and minor repairs
Simple gable roofs are cheaper than complex hip-and-valley roof design

Material type:

Concrete tile roof : mid-range pricing
Terracotta tile : more labour-intensive, cracked tiles cost $40–$120+ each to replace
Metal roof : requires rust treatment and specialist primers, often upper-end pricing

Access and roof pitch:

Steep or two-storey homes in suburbs with tight block access (Paddington, Greenslopes) require extra safety gear
Scaffolding may add $1,500–$3,500+ to restoration work

Repair scope:

Ridge capping re-bed and re-point: $1,000–$3,000+
More damaged tiles, valley iron replacements, and flashing repairs increase costs
Even extensive restoration work typically stays well below replacement costs

Optional extras:

Roof ventilation (whirlybirds)
Minor gutter repairs
Heat-reflective coatings for improved energy efficiency.

Cost Drivers for Roof Replacement in Brisbane (2026)

Restoration is the smarter choice whenever your existing roof structure and battens are sound and the roof covering still has recoverable life.

Ideal conditions for quality restoration:

Minor to moderate roof leaks
Isolated cracked tiles or rust spots
Faded or chalking coatings
Worn ridge caps
Generally straight roof lines with no sagging

Modern flexible pointing compounds and high-build acrylic membranes handle Brisbane’s intense UV, summer storms, and humidity effectively when applied by experienced professionals.

The financial case:

Restoration often costs 50–70% less than replacement while adding 10–20 years of roof life. The lifecycle cost per year becomes significantly lower.

Example:

A 180 m² tiled roof in Forest Lake might cost $9,000–$12,000+ for a full restoration versus $30,000+ for tile-to-metal replacement. That’s potentially 15 extra years of proper maintenance at one-third the upfront costs.

Non-financial benefits:

Less disruption (2–5 days versus 1–2 weeks)
Less waste to landfill
Usually no major structural work required

When Roof Restoration Makes Better Financial Sense

Replacement costs are heavily affected by demolition, disposal, structural repairs, and upgrades to current QBCC and NCC standards.

Roof size and pitch:

More m² and steeper pitches increase sheet waste, safety setup, and labour hours
A low-pitch Colorbond re roof costs significantly less than a steep tiled hip roof

Structural and compliance items:

Replacing rotten battens and damaged framing
Beefing up rafters for heavier tiles or solar panels
Installing new sarking and tie-downs
Bringing flashings to 2026 code requirements

Asbestos removal:

Many pre-1990s Brisbane homes have asbestos eaves or fibro roofs. Licensed removal adds potentially $3,000–$8,000+ for a roof replacement project.

Labour costs:

Brisbane roofing labour runs $60–$120+ per hour in 2026. Full replacements require more days on site, multiple trades (carpenters, plumbers, scaffolders), and complex logistics compared to restoration.

When Roof Replacement Is the Only Sensible Option

While restoration is often sufficient, there are clear cases where replacement is safer and ultimately cheaper than repeated costly repairs.

Structural red flags requiring replacement:

Visible sagging roof lines
Bouncy or soft areas when walked
Rotten battens or termite damage
Framing compromised by long-term leaks

Extensive material failure:

Very brittle or spalling slate tiles or common roofing materials
Widespread rust-through on metal sheets
Repeated leak history across multiple areas despite roof repairs

Age factors:

Many Brisbane tile roofs installed in the 1970s–1980s are now 40–50 years old. If they’ve never had targeted repairs or restoration and show ongoing issues, entire roof replacement may be wise.

Safety and insurance implications:

Roofs considered beyond reasonable repair may not be covered for storm damage if insurers deem them poorly maintained. Missing shingles, extensive roof damage, and deteriorated structural integrity can trigger claim denials.

Long-Term Cost Comparison: Dollars per Year of Roof Life

Focusing only on upfront costs can be misleading. Lifecycle cost, total cost divided by extra years of life, is a better comparison method.

Worked example:

How to Decide for Your Brisbane Home in 2026

The right decision comes from a thorough proper inspection, not guesswork or fear-based sales tactics from any roofing company.

Simple decision framework:

Check roof age
Assess visible roof condition
Consider leak history
Weigh how long you plan to stay

Recommended steps:

Book a detailed on-roof inspection checking tiles, flashings, valleys, gutters, battens, and frame
Request two itemised options from the same roofing professional: one for full restoration, one for full replacement
Compare warranty length, quality materials used, and company track record

Find MHI Roofing here .

In many Brisbane scenarios, restoration delivers lower cost per year of added life, especially when:

The roof structure is sound
The home may be sold within 10–15 years
Proper maintenance will be followed

When replacement wins financially:

The roof is truly near end of life
You plan to stay 20–30+ years
Solar upgrades and energy efficiency gains are factored in
Significant investment in the property is planned

Consider financing costs, interest, and future maintenance expectations—not just the initial invoice.

Roof Restoration Cost in 2026

Roof Replacement Cost in 2026

Improving Curb Appeal with Professional Roof Restoration

Thu, 09 May 2024 06:41:28 GMT

Improving Curb Appeal with Professional Roof Restoration

When we think of curb appeal ideas, it's natural to focus on what we see most easily – such as condition and finish on the walls, the quality of window treatments, landscaping, and even the look of the driveway. These are very important, but for nearly all houses and commercial structures, it's really the roof that brings it all together. In many cases, it's almost half of the visible exterior.

A roof in poor shape is very hard to hide – and the way it looks is the way it is. A bad roof is easy to spot. A good roof brings everything up to a new level. Let's look at how we can go about improving curb appeal with a great roof.

If you need quality roofing contractors to restore your roof, contact the team at MHI Roofing on 07 3808 0700 or get in touch online .

Curb Appeal Ideas and Roof Restoration

Repairs Come First

Before a roof can look great, it has to be strong and sound. Roofs get a lot of wear with wind and rain – and especially in the intense sunlight of our Australian climate. A quick recoat or repaint won't last long if the roof surface is deteriorating, and the damage will not even be hidden very well.

Improving curb appeal should always start with the repairs and restoration that the roof surface and structure need. The professional roofing contractor you choose should be proficient and equipped to handle whatever repairs turn out to be required.

Is it Time to Upgrade?

When planning a roof renovation, it's worth considering whether the roof should be upgraded to a newer design and materials. There will never be an easier time to do this than when everything is in place for a renovation. This is particularly true for older roofs – some vintage roofing materials are no longer available, so an upgrade may be unavoidable.

However, since roofs are usually only renovated at fairly long intervals, it's likely that newer and better will have come to market since the last work was done on buildings of any age. Even if a roof can be rebuilt as original, it is often advisable and cost-effective to make upgrades.

Use the Best Materials

To get the most out of a roof renovation, choose the most advanced materials you can afford. Most residential roofs have been built with asphalt shingles – they've given good service for decades and are pretty much the industry standard, but alternatives made from updated and engineered materials are available that will outperform and outlast. Synthetic asphalt shingles are a big improvement in durability, fire resistance, and ease of installation.

Treated wood shingles and even rubber shingles are offered that are much more durable and weatherproof than in the past. Steel roofing is a major step – it raises costs and poses issues of roof weight, but the results can be very attractive, and durability is tops. It pays to look at all options and alternatives.

Let The Light In

How about a skylight? It's a great way to brighten up any interior and bring interest and appeal inside and out. Complex skylights may be built onsite, but in most cases pre-built skylights will be up to the task.

They come in all shapes and sizes and can be dropped right in. Skylights are excellent for improving curb appeal in almost any situation. They're used more and more in homes and businesses, but they are still an unusual feature, and will definitely set your property apart from others in the local market.

Add a Terrace

You may be able to create a rooftop terrace – a sure way to make your property stand out and gather admiring looks from passers-by. It will provide a new and exciting space – for entertaining or gardening, or for relaxing with family and friends.

These are particularly appropriate curb appeal ideas in dense urban and semi-urban areas where you may be looking for additional outdoor space. Especially if you already have a flat or low-pitch roof to convert, you could be well on the way to a charming and very attractive addition.

Go Solar

When it's time to renovate a roof, it can be a great time to install solar panels. Rebates and incentives are available from the government, and aside from the cost savings, your home or business will gain an up-to-date feature that goes about improving curb appeal and value across the board.

There's no need to deal with separate companies for roofing and solar – consult with a My Home Group roofing contractor to find out how you could integrate this improvement with your roof renovation. We are roofing experts, so you can depend on all of our work being done to the highest standard and performed with the highest level of professionalism – from roofing to solar panels, and so much more.

Contact Us to Take the First Step

Are you ready to take the first step? Have you been searching for roof restoration near me ? For the best in quality roofing Brisbane and southeast Queensland look to My Home Group. From our primary inspection and detailed quote through the care and pride we take in each job, our dedication shines through – and you get the roof you need and deserve. For a friendly consultation on your residential or commercial project, call us today on 07 3808 0700 or get in touch online .

Working on Roof Safety Resources

Key Roof Restoration Benefits

Thu, 02 May 2024 06:22:39 GMT

Exploring Key Roof Restoration Benefits

The roof is often one of the most neglected parts of a property after being installed. This can be attributed to; the ability to see any issues, added dangers of cleaning and fixing, and continual degradation of its quality due to lack of care. Your roof is of the utmost importance, however, as it protects the interior of your home, your family, or your business on a day-to-day basis.

It is also a platform for additional home integrations, such as solar, allowing your power to run efficiently. Negligence can increase the risk of rust, leaks, built up debris damaging the surface of the roof, and blockages. Roof restoration benefits go beyond simply keeping your roof in top shape, however, as they have the potential to save you a fortune in the long run.

If you need quality roofing contractors to restore your roof, contact the team at MHI Roofing on 07 3808 0700 or get in touch online .

Key Roof Restoration Benefits

Increase the Property's Value

A freshly restored roof can be listed as a key selling point if you are planning to put your property up for sale in the near future. Conversely, a damaged or worn-down roof is likely to decrease the value of your property, so it is important you conduct a roof restoration before putting it on the market.

If the roof is in such a bad state, it may even scare away potential buyers entirely. A newly restored roof adds to the curbside and street appeal. It also tells a buyer that you value your home and have taken good care of it.

Protects the Interior of Your Home

Australian weather is fickle, with it being nice and sunny one day and pouring down with rain the next. If your roof has been worn-down over time, it may create gaps in the roofing that allow the rain to seep in. Water entry can lead to issues like Mold and damp in the home.

This is insidious and usually only shows itself when it is well established. This is very expensive to eliminate once it has taken hold. Prevention is certainly better than cure when it comes to mold in the home. Not to mention the health-related issues for you and your family. The other obvious damage can come from direct water entry causing ceilings to discolour and even collapse in extreme cases.

It can cause damage to paint, carpets and furniture in the home as well. This can be particularly devastating during a severe storm or weather event. No roof restoration benefits are as valuable as the knowledge that you can sleep comfortably at night knowing your family and property are protected.

Stay Covered by Insurance

While you may believe your insurance will cover you in the event of an accident or natural disaster, a damaged roof may void such a claim.

Insurance companies before deciding on your claim and may prove that you failed to maintain your property to a reasonable standard. Having your home damaged due to a natural disaster is devastating enough, but it will be even more so if your insurance is voided due to failure of regular roof repairs.

Increase Your Roof's Lifespan

Most roofs stay intact for a prolonged period, while certain factors may reduce it's lifespan, such as the material used and the weather in your area, not maintaining the roof is a quick way to degrade its quality.

When you regularly maintain your roof, the roof restoration benefits are likely to extend your roof's life. This saves you money on needing to purchase a complete roof replacement before it's time.

Restore Your Roof with MHI Roofing Today!

At MHI Roofing we provide the roof restoration Brisbane property owners trust to ensure their homes and offices remain safe and dry for years to come. We offer a wide range of roofing services, from detailed inspections to complete restorations, and service clients from all over Queensland and Northern NSW. Whether you are seeking a roof repair or would simply like to make an enquiry, give us a call on 07 3808 0700 or get in touch online .

Working on Roof Safety Resources

Identifying problems with your metal roof

Thu, 27 Jun 2019 23:28:32 GMT

Do you know how to identify problems with metal roofs and when it needs repairing, replacing or restoring? It's not always easy to tell if you don't know what to look out for, or how severe a problem really is (or isn't). This guide identifies some key issues that homeowners may experience from time to time with their metal roofs, which can assist you in determining the appropriate next step. Never just assume you know what to do or that a problem isn't serious as it could end up costing you in the long run.

Nails or screws missing from metal roof

Unfortunately, being made of metal and exposed to the elements, lead-head nails can rust and lose their heads. Metal screws rarely fail. However, if they were not set properly, were overdriven or were cheap and nasty to begin with, they could break off. When this happens, water can dam in the indents and get in. This ingress can then lead to:

Water damage to batons,
Warped structural timbers and
Damaged ceilings.

If this issue is caught early and there is no pitted rust, the old lead-heads can be taken out and the roof re-screwed and repaired. However, if the damage is too severe, the metal roof may need to be completely replaced.

Solution For Missing Nails or Screws

If this issue is caught early and there is not pitted rust, the old lead-heads can be taken out and the roof re-screwed and repaired.

Metal roof peeling paint (no pitted rust)

Even if the preparation was done properly and the painting was first-class, all paints will begin to lose their grip after 3 or 4 decades. Heritage Red paint is particularly susceptible to peeling. Once it starts to lift, rain and even morning dew get under the paint and onto the exposed, untreated metal surface. This can lead to pitted rust. If pitted rust hasn't yet formed, the roof can be repainted and restored. The peeling paint will of course need to be correctly removed with an industrial strength high-pressure cleaner, and a primer applied before repainting for a long-lasting result.

Solution For Peeling Paint

If pitted rust hasn't yet formed, the roof can be repaired … and restored.

The peeling paint will of course need to be correctly removed with an industrial strength high pressure cleaner, and a primer applied before repairing for a long-lasting result.

Pitted Rust

Pitted rust is more than just surface rust – it is deep holes etched all the way through sheets of metal. It can occur following extended periods with little maintenance, particularly if there is a lot of tree cover and the roof is in the shade for much of the day. Pitted rust is also highly prevalent in coastal areas. There are rare cases in which the pitted rust has been confined to one section, in which case it may be able to be repaired. Unfortunately, in most cases, it is right across the roof, as capillary action draws moisture into the overlaps at the sheet joins. If your roof has pitted rust, we're sorry to say but it may need to be replaced.

Solution For Pitted Rust

There are rare cases in which the pitted rust has been confined to one section, in which case it may be able to be repaired.

Unfortunately, in the majority of cases, it's right across the roof as capillary action draws moisture into the overlaps as the sheet joins.

If your roof as pitted rust, sorry it may need to be replaced.

Metal roof rotten roof timbers

This is when water has seeped through the roof into the framework and slowly but surely damaged the woodwork. If you can see signs of rotting timber on the gables or exposed areas, it is usually an indication of trouble above. Sadly, hardwood timber doesn't rot over one or two years. It is likely to have been an issue for a long time and will definitely need to be replaced.

Solution For Rotten Roof Timber

Sadly, hardwood timber doesn't rot over on or two years. It is likely to have been an issue for a long time and will definitely need to be replaced.

Damp patches In The Ceiling

This is usually the first visible indicator of a water leak. Left unchecked, it will compromise the integrity of the ceiling and at best, it will lead to mould and mildew. At worst, it can cause the ceiling to physically fail. If addressed early enough, this can often be a repaired. Of course, a full assessment will be required to work out how bad the problem REALLY is. As there is obviously water coming from above, the roofing issue will need to be resolved before you can really tackle the ceiling damage. Worst case scenario, the timber framework in your ceiling and the gyprock will need to be replaced.

Solution For Damp Patches in Ceiling

If addressed early, this can often be a repair .. a full assessment will be required to work out how bad the problem is of course. There is obviously water coming from above. The roofing issue will need to be resolved before you should tackle the ceiling damage. Worst case scenario, the timber framework in your ceiling and the gyprock will to be replaced.

Metal roof paint fading

This is when the roof paint has oxidised and become all powdery. Regardless of whether it is a Colorbond roof, or one that has been previously restored or re-painted, paint finishes DO have a lifespan (typically only guaranteed for 10 years). While not necessarily a structural problem, it could be an early sign that the roof needs some TLC. Based on the 'stitch in time' principle, it is better to act NOW to have it repainted and restored.

Solution For Metal Roof Paint Fading

While not necessarily a structural problem, it could be an early sign that the roof needs some TLC.

Based on the 'stitch in time' principle, it is better to act NOW to have it repainted…. and … repaired.

Do you need more help with your roof?

MHI Roofing are fully QBCC Licenced and members of the Housing Industry Association (HIA). This means we can fully guarantee all our workmanship and products for your absolute peace of mind. In fact, we offer a full 10-year warranty on workmanship and materials, on all products, on every residential roofing job. 20 Years Experience. We're proud to have assisted over 8,000 happy customers.

Visit our Roof Repair Services or call us on 07-3808-0700 and talk to one of our experts.

How often should you have your roof inspected?

Thu, 13 Jun 2019 06:21:21 GMT

You may not realise it, but your roof needs to be regularly inspected and maintained to prevent any major issues from occurring prematurely. Think about it – your roof is constantly exposed to the elements, which slowly cause wear and tear. Many people don't even know where to begin when it comes to roof inspections and maintenance. We've broken down for you how often your roof needs to be inspected both professionally and DIY, and what to look out for when inspecting your roof.

DIY Inspections

You should conduct a DIY inspection of your roof every 6 – 12 months and after any major weather events. The best way is to get up on your roof so you can look closely, however we know not everyone is comfortable doing this. The other option is to use a ladder and stand as close to the top as possible, making your way around the edges of the roof to inspect it from all angles. Ensure you are being safe. Look up for power lines when you have a ladder and have someone holding your ladder on the ground to keep it stable. Remember – if in doubt get a roofer out.

It can be difficult to know what you're looking for if you're not a professional roofer, so we have put this list together to make it easier for you:

Broken or cracked tiles, especially watercourses
Cracked ridge cappings
Split flashings on gables
General deterioration of tile surface (faded/worn or discoloured looking)
Ridge cap beddings falling out
Holes or splits around penetrations (eg. Ventpipes)
Tiles slipping into valleys
Cracked, splitting or falling down gable timbers
Squeaking or not moving whirly birds
Rusted or split skylight flashings
Blocked gutters and downpipes
Leaves and debris in valleys
Mould or rust on surface
Lead head nails fallen off
Screws not screwed all the way down or with no seal underneath
Rusted screws
Rust stains running down the roof
Loose laps of sheets
Perished or cracked silicone joins

If you notice any of these issues, or are unsure, then it's a good idea to call a professional in to conduct a thorough inspection. Never ignore any of these problems! If left untreated, they could lead to even further damage.

When should you have your roof professionally inspected?

A good rule of thumb is to get a professional to have a look at it regularly. We recommend every 3 years for a tile roof and every 5 years for a metal roof. The old adage "prevention is better than cure" definitely applies to a roof. Sometimes a person who knows what they are looking for can pick issues early and prevent them from becoming a real problem.

If you are not sure or you notice any of the signs we mentioned in this article, get a professional out straight away and let them do a thorough inspection for you. Once they inspect your roof, they will be able to tell you what the issues are (if any) and of course, the best course of action.

Even if your roof has no visible issues, it is a good idea to have it inspected regularly for any hidden problems. No roof lasts forever but the more attention you give it, the longer it will serve you and your family well.

Do you need more help with your roof?

Visit our Roof Inspection Services or call us on 07-3808-0700 and talk to one of our experts.

DIY Roofing Projects – Why you shouldn't attempt DIY

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 01:11:01 GMT

Safety Issues With DIY Roofing

The safety of you and anyone else who lives in your home is the number one reason not to attempt any DIY roofing projects. Any roofing work is dangerous and tedious, and you will be surprised how difficult it actually is. Not only will you have to get up on a ladder, but you will also have to haul heavy tools and materials up and down the ladder and then work in the hot sun for hours. All the while, you will need to maintain your balance on the inclined roof and try to avoid any slips or falls. If you're not trained in roofing, it is best to leave the dangerous work to the professionals who have actual safety equipment, permits and insurance if anything goes wrong.

Knowledge – Professional Roofers Vs DIY

How much do you really know about roofing? Watching a video on the Internet can't replace years of experience in the field. Proper repair of a roof is vital, as improper solutions can cause further damage to your roof that cannot be repaired. Roofing professionals are specifically trained to know the root cause of damage on a roof and the correct way to handle it.

Quite often, as with most trades, there are skills learnt and clever rules of thumb to follow that ensure a good result. DIY Roofing can lead to not only a visually bad result, but also a technically incorrect finish. The nuance of water flow, understanding watercourses, knowing about paint curing times (which vary from brand to brand) in different climate types, thickness of coatings, type of roof screws, correct type of materials and profiles of roof sheets, penetrations, Dektites and sealants etc – there is a long list of considerations that only experienced trades people understand.

Get this stuff wrong and your roof could leak, and you could be making problems even worse and more expensive for a professional to fix later.

Warranties

Most roofing work and products come with a warranty that will be voided by anyone other than a qualified roofing professional working on the roof. So if your roof is still covered under a warranty from when it was installed or last restored, getting up there to attempt to do any work yourself will void that warranty which can lead to a number of problems. MHI Roofing offers a 10 year warranty on its work.

Time and cost-effectiveness

A roofing professional will be able to complete any work in a much shorter time than you could. Time is money and it is just not worth it. You might also think that you will be saving money by working on your roof yourself, and it is true that you will pay a higher up-front cost when hiring a professional. But the reality is that while it may cost you more money in the short-term, it will almost certainly save you money in the long-term. The likelihood that doing work on your own roof will lead to it needing further work and ultimately hiring a professional is very high. Not to mention that your work will obviously have no warranty on it, so you are likely to have recurring issues that will require more money to be put into them.

Do you need more help with your roof?

Visit our Roof Repair Services or call us on 07-3808-0700 and talk to one of our experts.

5 Reasons it's important to keep your roof clean

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 05:16:57 GMT

Whether its clearing out leaves from the gutters so you don't get water in the roof, or keeping the weeds down in the garden so they don't get out of control – we all know that maintaining your home is important.

Roofs are one of the most important parts of a house, but because they are hard to work on they are often left poorly-maintained. Don't leave it too late. You should get your roof checked regularly and clean off the pollution, chemicals and animal droppings that are all up there eating away at the roof coating.

Maintaining the integrity of the roof coating is critical in maintaining the integrity of your roof overall. Remember every single day your roof battles with the sun, the rain, the heat, the UV radiation and the environment.

A Metal roof needs a coating on it or it will rust, a tile roof needs a coating on it or it will break down. The cleaner you keep your roof, the slower that breaking down process takes hold.

Eventually all roofs need to be restored or replaced. The longer you can maintain your roof in a good state, the longer it will be until you need to do a restoration or reroof.

1) To keep your home energy efficient

Dirty roofs attract more heat, whereas a clean roof reflects heat. This may mean that in the warmer months you will find yourself using your air conditioning system more than is ideal. If you keep your roof clean, your home will be a more comfortable temperature, improving your home's energy efficiency and saving you money on your power bills.

With some advanced roof coatings like Nutech NXT – the coating itself is actually scientifically proven to reflect more heat due to its chemical structure – much more than normal paint. By using some of these high-tech products you can even further reduce your cooling bills in summer.

2) To keep your household healthy

Mould and fungi left unattended growing on your roof can spread into your home, which can be costly to both your wallet and health to fix. Mould in particular can cause a number of health issues including allergies, respiratory problems and asthma.

3) To keep your roof in good condition

Leaving debris and rot on your roof can seriously affect its condition and cause a number of problems including damage to waterproofing, cracks, stains and leaks. If your gutters are full of plant matter they can act as a dam and push water over the gutter and into the roof in a big downpour. The plant matter also breaks down and causes chemicals to eat away at your roof coatings or the gutters as well. Insects love plant matter and will build nests in leaf litter, which can lead to insect infestation in the home like spiders or ants.

4) To keep your property value up

First impressions count! The kerbside street appeal of your home can play a huge role in the value of your property. A clean home, including your roof, boosts the attractiveness and appeal to potential buyers. Not only that, but a roof that has not been well looked after can be a deal breaker for buyers who are looking for a home that they won't need to invest any more money into after purchase.

5) To keep your money in the bank

Like most things in life, the prevention is better than the cure and your home is no different.

A well-maintained roof will save you from having to repair or replace it earlier than expected. Save yourself some money in the long term by making sure you are taking good care of your roof.

Always get professional help and remember you get what you pay for. Don't use a handyman! Get a professional qualified tradesman to do it right first time. It will cost a little more in the short term but save you a lot more in the long term.

Remember your most valuable asset is your home and in your home you have all of the most valuable things you own. The roof protects everything that you value.

New day, new beginning, new opportunities, new challenges! Coming soon

Wed, 15 May 2019 03:44:27 GMT

My Home Improvements and MHI Commercial Roofing have been roofing Queensland and Northern New South Wales Homes and businesses for over 20 years. Our recent rebranding has now opened the doors to larger scale roofing projects and allows us to improve product selection and application techniques for various roofing services. Having embedded ourselves in the domestic residential and commercial roofing areas, we now have the opportunity to grow our new Roofing brands with absolute product and customer focus.

We are the first choice in all roofing services right across Queensland with commitment to customer communications, project management, best practice application techniques and finally quality control. Every roofing job we put our name to, gets a quality inspection from one of our team to ensure you, the customer, get what is promised each and every time. STRATCO, NUTECH, BLUESCOPE, LYSAGHT, BONDOR are all leaders in the roofing industry and the first choice of My Home Improvements when it comes to materials selection.

All are award winning organisations for design and manufacture of the best products in each field. So, if you are thinking of a tile or iron roof restoration or a complete roof or gutter replacement you can find no better business in South East Queensland for your needs.

We have a great management team who are professional and excited about our quality products and services. The owners of MyHome Improvements QLD work tirelessly each day in the business and will happily lend an ear to any issue to ensure our customers understand our promise to them.

How do I tell if there's a problem with my tile roof?

Wed, 15 May 2019 03:38:35 GMT

Common tile roof problems explained by Licenced Builder (and Managing Director) Greg Catton.

Most home owners are oblivious to the inner workings of a tile roof and how it all fits together.

Most of us believe that a roof is there to permanently protect our home and precious contents, and that it will do its job for eternity, with a bit of luck.

We rarely give our roofs a second thought. Roof Repair and Roof Restoration isn't always high on our list of priorities when it comes to looking after our home.

But the fact is, Australia isn't Utopia where the sun gently shines and the rain softly falls on our most important asset.

It's the opposite… as you can see from the following list, your roof cops the full brunt of everything Mother Nature throws at it!

Australia has the hottest roofs under the sun causing roof tile problems

Your tiled roof is more prone to breakdown and decay than any other building materials… and the bad news gets even worse if yours is a fairly modern concrete tiled roof. (And I say "modern" because today's flimsy roofing tiles aren't a patch on the rock-solid ones they manufactured 40 or 50 years ago.)

As a builder specialising in home improvements – and in particular roofs – I'm often asked by worried home owners how to tell if have problems with their tile roof.

I tell them to simply look up.

You see, most tile roof problems are quite visible to the naked eye.

One quick glance, either from ground level or the roofline if you want to grab a ladder, will tell you just about everything you need to know.

Tile roof problem # 1: fading and peeling paint

The most obvious thing you'll see is the roof colour. Not quite as vibrant as it once was, is it? With good reason.

Being out in the blistering hot Aussie sun and torrential summer storms is going to play havoc with the paint. (Even a top-of-the-range brand like Nutech will eventually fade, so you can imagine what the sun is doing to normal roof paint.)

Over time, it's going to lose its lustre and its sheen, and start to fade.

Apart from no looking as good as the Jones' up the road, and lowering the resale value of your home, having faded roof tiles isn't necessarily a problem in itself.

However it can be an important tell-tale of more sinister problems, either right now or in the near future.

If the colour is badly faded, it indicates that the structural integrity of the paint is failing.

This can lead to peeling and cracking, which diminishes the protective properties of the tile roof paint, which will have a serious impact on your tiles.

But even that's not the worst of the problem that affect tiled roofs.

Tile roof problem # 2: mould and lichen

When you look up at your roof and see that it has started turning darker and grimier in patches, chances are that's black lichen, commonly known as mould.

Mould is a big problem on tiled roofs because it actually eats the tiles.

Not as in "chomp chomp". It's more a slurping sound as it ever-so-slowly sucks the minerals – and saps the strength – out of your roof tiles.

If left to feast away for a few years, the black lichen (which is actually green, go figure) will break down the concrete structure of the roof tiles and make them brittle and easy to break or chip.

There are 3 things you need to know about Mould:

It only happens on tiled roofs because they are porous and full of the nutrients that mould loves
It really starts to take a foothold once the coating of the paint has gone, and
It is more common on roofs facing south, or those shaded by trees that don't get full sun, because mould thrives in moist dark areas

Tile roof problem # 3: broken tiles

Scan your tiled roof from every angle and you may notice one or two – or one or two dozen – broken roof tiles, as well as many others with chipped corners.

This could be a result of:

normal wear and tear
the paint coating being weakened by the sun and other elements
attack by mould
someone installing a TV aerial and not being careful about where they walked, or by
flying debris during one of our fierce sub-tropical storms.

Whatever the cause, they will stand out like crabs' eyes.

If you see several broken roof tiles, it's probably time to call in the cavalry because once a few tiles go, they all will…and the longer you leave them, the more expensive they will be to repair or replace.

Another trouble with broken roof tiles, is that it's like a chink in armour; one small opening can let rain in causing water damage, or wind can get underneath them and start to lift them off.

And if you ever see a 5kg roof tile blowing in the wind, you'd better duck for cover!

Of course a lot of people see chunks of broken concrete on their roofs or in their guttering and think it's from the concrete roof tiles. It's not…

Tile roof problem # 4: weakened ridge caps

Everyone knows what a ridge cap is, but in case anyone is confused, it's the inverted "V" at the top of the roof.

It plays a very important role in keeping your roof waterproof and intact in stormy and windy conditions. Here's why…

Roof tiles are laid from the guttering up, with each new row laid on top of the previous one.

When they reach the top of the roof (also known as the peak or ridge), or where the roof angle changes, they need something to lock them into place…you guessed it, the ridge cap.

The caps are then cemented in and a flexible pointing compound is added. (It's called pointing because we use a pointed trowel to smooth it on.)

Unfortunately, the sealant deteriorates in time along with concrete, and it is this broken concrete that you'll see on your tiled roof and in your gutters.

It's a sign that your ridge capping is falling apart.

The trouble is, the ridge capping is the first and last line of defence on your roof, the "cornerstone" that holds everything in place; once it weakens, you can find yourself in strife in storms. But wait, there's more…

Tile roof problem # 5: sagging roofs

Movement is a massive problem with tiled roofs, especially in areas with shifting foundations like Blacksoil and Collingwood Park in Ipswich.

If the framework of the house suffers even the slightest movement, it can crack the pointing holding the ridge capping in place and the slippery slope begins.

The problem of sagging isn't just confined to movement of course.

In older homes, the eaves themselves can sag, causing the ridge caps to pop up…and once they do, the capping isn't doing its job of holding the tiles in place, and they are free to blow away in a strong wind.

And you can see all of these tiled roof problems – or at least their aftermath – simply by regularly looking up at your roof.

Naturally My Home Improvements take it one step further.

Thorough Tiled Roof Inspections, up close and personal.

The roof restoration team at My Home Improvements almost always climb up onto your roof for a first-hand look before completing a detailed report.

We're more than happy for you to come up and have a look with us too, so you can see what is really going on. But if you can't, we'll record problem areas for you on our smart phones, or via a drone.

And when I say "almost always" I'm reminded of the one and only time I DIDN'T actually do a thorough tiled roof inspection.

It was for a mate of mine, let's call him Nick from Carindale (because that's who it was!)

Nick's roof [pictured here after the roof restoration] was only 15 years old and looked OK from the ground so I quoted him $xxx to fix it, thinking that I'd only have to replace about 20 tiles and do a little re-pointing.

Six months later, when he finally accepted my quote, I discovered to my horror that all the cement bedding under the ridge caps of his home was like the Kalahari Desert and just crumbled into sand when you picked one up.

Then there was the 80+ broken roof tiles…it was like the abdominal snowman had been stomping across his roof!

I know what you're thinking: Greg you're a professional and should have known this, but what I'm getting at is this, if it looks okay from the ground it may not be, and it pays to have a proper look to make sure.

Which brings me to my final point…

Solving tiled roof problems before they become problems.

It's a crying shame that most of my customers only take an interest in roof repairs or tile roof restorations at the 11th hour.

It's really unfortunate that all of us think like this.

Me included. One day I'll get it stuck in my head that a stitch in time really DOES saves nine.

When your roof gets to the urgent stage, the cost of repairs and or roof restoration generally increases as more remedial works are required to get the tiles and roof structurally sound again before re-sealing.

If we all try to take part in a regular maintenance check or works, I can guarantee you that a number of problems will be picked up long before your cement tile roof turns into the "Kalahari Desert".

As they say, prevention truly is better than the cure.

For more information and advice about any tile roof problem you might have, please call 07-3808 0700 and speak to one of our friendly, ever-helpful consultants, or simply click here to contact us.

Are older Roof Tiles better than new Roof Tiles?

Wed, 15 May 2019 03:32:18 GMT

Licenced Builder (and My Home Improvements' MD) Greg Catton explains why they don't make concrete roof tiles like they used to, and what you MUST do to prolong the life of your tiled roof.

You know you're getting older when you start saying things like " they don't make 'em like they used to " and " back in the day ".

Not that I'm old of course, but it's perfectly true about concrete roof tiles…they really DON'T make them like they used to.

And it isn't just me who thinks so.

I have worked as a roofing contractor in this industry near on 20 years, and over the years all my roof tiler mates have come up to me and said exactly the same thing.

Back when a Ford was a Ford and a Holden was a Holden, and I'm talking pre-1975 here, concrete roof tiles were as strong as an ox and as safe as…well, as safe as houses.

Whenever I go up on the roof of a house built in the Fifties, Sixties and early Seventies, I am gobsmacked at how well those little square top profile cement roof tiles (known as Monier 100) have done.

You rarely notice a broken roof tile, and even the roofs that have never been repainted and are now almost totally bare of all paint finishes, have surprisingly few leaks; nothing major at least.

The reason for this is that back in these eras in Australia we made everything ourselves, and anything Aussie-made was proudly produced to the highest level.

This included the ratio of cement to sand in concrete roof tiles.

Sadly, it's a different story these days, isn't it?

Broken roof tiles are the # 1 reason for a Tile Roof Restoration.

As we say in our popular new resource – modern day tile roofs are more prone to breakdown and decay than any other building materials.

Why aren't new roof tiles as good as their predecessors?

Well, it's basically because they've been diluted, with less cement binders in the tile roof manufacturing process than even before.

In some cases, it's the bare minimum.

However, before you start pointing the finger at Aussie roof tile makers, put yourself in their shoes for a moment.

There you are, on the world stage, competing with long-run metal roof sheeting producers and several manufacturers from countries where materials and labour costs easily blow us out of the water here in Australia.

How else are you going to keep costs down if you don't cut back on materials? In the end, it becomes a balancing act between quality and cost per tile.

And that isn't about to change anytime soon.

So here's the alternative…

if concrete roof tiles aren't as good as they once were, then the maintenance had better be, right?

Making concrete roof tiles last longer.

The 'bare bones' way cement roof tiles are made in the modern era, they are destined to break down.

As such they will require far more attention and maintenance than they did in granddad's day.

To compensate for any shortcuts taken by manufacturers, modern roof tiles need a strong, protective membrane; otherwise they definitely won't have a very long lifespan.

I've seen cases where new roof tiles have experienced significant deterioration in just 12 years.

In fact, I cite the case of a mate of mine whose roof – barely 15 years old – needed more than 80 broken roof tiles replaced.

Luckily for him, he had a mate in the roof restoration business!

The trouble is that the older these 'new age' roof tiles get, the more porous they become IF they are not protected.

Once the clear coating and oxidising paint wears off, concrete roof tiles are susceptible to breaking and chipping.

Before they do chip or break, and provided that years of exposure to the elements hasn't damaged the porous surface too much, they can be repainted and restored.

There are likely to be lichens growing on the tile roof and hiding in the pores, so all the mould and algae will need to be removed first using a quality roof fungicide.

Following that, we may need a double viscous primer of (High Build) extra thick roof paint to smooth out the surface of the tiles.

I personally wouldn't use anything less than a NuPrime or SupaPrime primer from Nutech Roof Coatings.

Then I would follow it up with a self-cleaning TileFlex paint, or better still, a top-of-the-range Nutech NXT Cool Zone roof paint offering the ultimate in heat reflection.

To prolong the life of your cement roof tiles, I strongly recommend a new coating every 10 to 15 years.

That way your new roof tile will at least stand a chance of lasting as long as the roof tiles they had…back in the day.

For more information about concrete roof tiles and how best to maintain them to extend their life, please call 07 3808 0700 and speak to one of our friendly, ever-helpful consultants, or simply click here to contact us .

Do I Need A Fungicide On My Roof?

Wed, 15 May 2019 03:21:10 GMT

Licenced Builder (and My Home Improvements' Managing Director) Greg Catton explains why lichens form and why you should remove them with a tile roof restoration …fast!

If you lived out in the Simpson Desert, you probably wouldn't have to worry about mould, moss and algae (also known as lichens) growing on your tiled roof.

Poisonous snakes, scorpions and dying of thirst maybe, but mould…I very much doubt it!

You see mould doesn't grow in full sun. Or perhaps I should say it "rarely" grows in full sun.

Lichens and other algae are some of the hardiest growth organisms found in nature, and they can grow in the harshest conditions on the planet, so I wouldn't put anything past them.

However, generally speaking they prefer dark, damp spaces, like the minute space between a cement roof tile and the roof paint that covers it.

If that concrete tile roof just happens to be facing south, in a leafy suburb, and spends much of the day under a shady tree, the roof lichen will positively thrive and that can be fraught with problems.

And I don't just mean cosmetic problems – although the lichen will turn your roof an unsightly blackish green, and make it look old before its time.

The problem with moss and lichens on tile roofs.

You'll notice that I didn't say on metal roofs. That is because lichen don't take to metal roofs because:

there are no nutrients for them to feed on, and
metal is less porous, so they would simply wash off in the first downpour.

The trouble with lichens on your roof is that get under the paint surface and start to leach the nutrients out of the binding cement and other minerals in the concrete. This can in time make the cement roof tile dryer and more brittle, thus potentially shortening the tile's lifespan.

On top of that, as the lichens get bigger, the roof paint starts to lift and will eventually begin to crack, peel and lift off exposing the tile to the damaging elements.

Moss and lichens are also like mini-sponges – they retain a lot of water and their added weight (concrete roof tiles already weigh 5kg) can, over the course of several years, cause the supporting timber framework to bow and warp… leading to even further complications.

The wrong way to remove moss from roofs

In my experience, a lot of people turn a blind eye to roof moss removal and think: "If I don't see it, I don't need it". The old 'out of sight, out of mind' approach. Or they hope it will just go away. Trust me, it won't.

They also baulk at the relative high cost of quality roof fungicides, and consider taking their gurney up on the roof and hosing it off themselves.

There are three things very wrong with this.

Stomping around on a wet, slippery roof carrying a relatively heavy high pressure sprayer with a cumbersome hose attached is an accident just waiting to happen. (NB. NEVER do this near the powerline! Broken legs are one thing, but electrocution is just not worth it.)
This is only a short term fix. The same conditions that led to the lichens growing in the first place are still there, and will definitely grow back, and
The high pressure spray WILL remove the moss and mould. However, the force of the spray may also crack the tiles and damage the pointing, causing unwanted damage. On top of that, the concentrated spray can remove the paint and the tiles' protective coating. This defeats the purpose and allows even more lichens to get a REAL foothold in the exposed aggregate and flourish. If left, they will break down the concrete structure of your roof.

The bottom line is, you really can't take short cuts. You definitely need a fungicide. Unless, of course, you use TileFlex Roof Paint (more about it in a minute).

The right way to remove lichens from roofs.

The right way – in fact the only way – to carry out black mould removal is with a roof fungicide (also known as a roof moss killer).

You could consider doing your own roof moss removal, or you could engage a professional roof cleaning service, such as the one offered by My Home Improvements, to take care of it for you.

We have the experience and the equipment to remove roof moss and mould safely, and that way you'll know that the roof mould will be well and truly goooooone!

According to the CSIRO, lichens can be eradicated by a number of toxic washes.

A fungicide comprised of a 4% copper sulphate solution will do the job and, best of all, it will have residual effects that will prevent the lichen and mould from growing back for several years.

Of course the lichens won't be dislodged the instant they are killed; instead they will be removed gradually by the weather over time.

If you're impatient like me, our roof cleaning service team can speed up this process by waiting a week or so after the initial application – for the growth to completely dry out – and then brushing it off.

Of course, once the lichens are completely gone, this is an excellent time to consider re-painting your roof – after all, a lot of the prep work will have already been done.

And I say without favour, or fear of contradiction, that if you're going to have your roof repainted, then you really must insist on TileFlex roof coatings.

The roof paint with a built-in fungicide.

Not only do TileFlex roof coatings stay cleaner and glossier for much longer than any conventional acrylic roof coating thanks to their inbuilt Nano Technology, but they come complete with anti-fungal additives that will keep your roof free from moss, lichen and bacteria.

Its highly effective polymer preservatives provide long lasting broad spectrum, algaecide and fungicide protection to prevent polymer discolouration and deterioration and moss and lichen growth for many years.

And unlike many other roof coatings, TileFlex is also user friendly because it does not contain environmentally harmful formaldehyde preservatives. That makes it suitable for the collection of drinking water.

Keeping lichens off your roof.

As I mentioned, lichens, moss, mould and other algae love damp, dark places, so you need to make sure your roof is exposed to as much sun as possible.

If you can, try trimming back the branches of overhanging trees to let the sunlight onto your roof and dry them out.

Plus, keep your gutters and valleys as free from leaves as possible to ensure that water drains away quickly so your roof will be dryer.

For more information and advice about roof fungicides – or to arrange an obligation-free Consult – please call 07 3808 0700 and speak to one of our friendly, helpful roof cleaning consultants, or simply click here to contact us .

Asbestos Roof to Metal Roof. Neighbours are just a bit jealous…

Wed, 15 May 2019 03:10:01 GMT

We specialise in the replacement of asbestos roofs along with our fully licensed Asbestos Removal partners. With Asbestos – Your safety is our priority. Roofing trades do not understand the critical nature of Asbestos Roof Removal. MyHome Roofing work closely with A1 Asbestos removals to ensure absolutely no risk is undertaken with the health of our customers or their families.

Before the job is commenced on laying your new roof air monitoring* is undertaken to ensure it is habitable again and a Certificate of Clearance is issued for householder record keeping and compliance.

The MyHome team has been replacing Asbestos roofs for well over 20 years and HAS NEVER failed an audit by Government Asbestos Compliance bodies. We are the ONLY team you can trust.

Feel confident in using our trusted builders and trades.

As licenced builders and roofers we inspect all structural timbers in the roof and replace rotten timbers and strengthen battens where necessary. All roofing works are in accordance with Queensland building and safety laws.

For more detailed information and expert advice about Asbestos removal and roof replacement simply call 07-3808 0700 and speak to a friendly, helpful My Home Improvements team member, or click here to contact us .

How Can I Make Sure My Asbestos Roof Is Removed Safely?

Wed, 15 May 2019 03:03:41 GMT

Don't let the worry of your Asbestos Roof hang over your head…literally!

My Home Improvements MD, Greg Catton gives the rundown on what you need to know about removing that pesky Asbestos safely before undergoing roof replacement.

So you've been mulling over the "should I, shouldn't I?" dilemma about removing the Asbestos in your roof. You know that it has to go for the sake of yours and your family's health, but what are the dangers exactly? How can you know that its been properly and safely removed?

The good news is that Asbestos can be safely removed from your roof prior to roof replacement. You just need to follow the correct steps and make sure the job is done properly. Even though we don't look after Asbestos removal directly, here's the low down on how things work…

Won't it be dangerous removing my Asbestos roof ?

The short answer is no…so long as you leave it to the pros. At My Home Improvements we know roofs, we know paints and we know how to create a beautiful lasting finish, BUT we won't ever attempt Asbestos removal. We leave it to the professionals. In fact, we are not even allowed on a work site until we have received a clearance certificate from an Asbestos remover.

There are two "classes" of Asbestos removers – A and B. We only recommend and work with A Class removers.

A Class and B Class removers. What's the difference?

The lawman requires you to engage at least a B Class remover to take out the Asbestos in your roof who will be certified to follow minimum regulations. BUT! Here's some points to consider about B Class removers versus A Class removers.

B Class Asbestos Removers:

Are self-regulated and have very limited liability.
Are permitted to have only one "umbrella" licenced person on site. So that means each individual worker removing the Asbestos doesn't have to have a licence, only one worker.
Are not authorised to remove friable Asbestos which refers to materials that will easily crumble into powder when crushed by hand. Friable Asbestos will release large amounts of air-borne Asbestos when touched or moved.

A Class Asbestos Removers:

Are independently certified.
Hold an "A" Class company licence and each team member will hold individual licences.
Have air monitoring equipment.
Must have a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) which is a comprehensive guideline for safely managing every step of a workers' activity.
Will door knock and leaflet drop in your street to advise neighbours about upcoming Asbestos removal.
Will advise Workplace Health and Safety about upcoming works so they have their work checked and audited

B Class removers are permitted to remove 10 square metres or more of non friable Asbestos so they are TECHNICALLY permitted to work on roofs.

But if you are using a B Class remover and a roof sheet breaks and releases a cloud of Asbestos riddled dust, well that's when you can run into problems. If that dust blows in to your neighbour's yard and they call WH&S, you can get into strife for negligent use of an appropriate company.

A Class removers are qualified to safely remove any type of asbestos material. These guys value their licence. They won't cut corners and will do everything by the book for you. Measure twice, cut once as they say!

Can't I just remove the Asbestos myself?

Sorry but no. There's no shortcuts when it comes to this stuff. It's best to leave it to the professionals. Our advice is to get it done right once and never have to worry about it again. Not to mention of course the risk you would pose to yourself and your family by dealing with Asbestos.

I have Cellulose Fibre Insulation, what should I do about it?

We recommend that you remove any Cellulose Fibre Insulation (e.g. Cool or Cosy) if you are going to have Asbestos removed before roof replacement. You don't have to by law and you can leave it in if its sprayed with PVA glue as its considered "sealed". But like most things it's better to think in the long run.

What if you go up in to the ceiling to store something and break the seal on the insulation? An electrician installing a light fitting could also damage and break the PVA seal. Sealed insulation is still classified as "contaminated" even once Asbestos has been removed. We believe it's best to get rid of the stuff once and for all so you can live in your home with peace of mind.

How do I know I'm dealing with a pro?

So you're not going into the process blind, here are some key pointers to keep in mind when considering an Asbestos remover.

Pre Sealing – most Asbestos roofs are painted and are therefore deemed to be sealed, meaning materials can be safely removed. However, if a roof is not sealed, an A Class remover will first seal the roof with PVA to minimise the risk of any Asbestos dust releasing into the air before. A properly licenced remover will always check to see if a roof is completely sealed before commencing work.
Waste Disposal – all Asbestos material must be placed into a lined receptacle and then removed to an approved disposal site. Materials must never be broken in order to make them fit into a receptacle.
Personal Protective Equipment – if you see workers removing Asbestos without wearing disposable suits, eye-wear and appropriate breathing masks, well, they probably aren't licenced Asbestos removers.
Post Removal – all ceilings and timbers must be vacuumed with a HEPA 13 filter once the materials have been removed then sprayed and sealed with a PVA glue.

Can I fix broken or cracked roof tiles with silicone?

Wed, 15 May 2019 02:51:07 GMT

I'll admit, silicone fixes lots of things… but roof tiles just isn't one of them!

But hang on, why would the guy at the hardware store lie to you and tell you roofing silicone will do a great job of fixing your broken roof tiles?

Mate… he's a salesman, not a roof man!

The short answer to the question about fixing broken roof tiles is NO! Don't even think about it.

Here's a bit more info to get your head around so you can see why.

So, you're out the back enjoying a barby with the family when you happen to glance up and cop an eyeful of a big, fat, nasty looking crack on one of the roof tiles.

There are a couple of options you might take at this point:

Pretend you didn't see it and hope for the best.
Grab a ladder, inspect the damage (and see there are LOTS of cracked or broken tiles) and revert back to option 1.
Load that silicone gun and bung up those cracked tiles good and proper
Give us a call.

(Now let's imagine you've had a few beers by this stage of the barby and you're not thinking too straight so option 4 is put on the back burner.)

Here's an idea of what is most likely to unfold over the coming weeks and months following your DIY silicone roof tile fixing spree.

First up, it will look great. You've done a fine job. And because roofing silicone is guaranteed for five years, you reckon you've just bought yourself a bit of time and added some life to the old tiled roof.

You are a hero!

Then slowly things start to fall apart.

The problem with trying to fix broken roof tiles is that there's nothing to actually stick the silicone to!

For silicone to do its job, like any adhesive, it needs a strong, clean surface on which to get a grip.

Broken roof tiles are not like this.

When you rub your finger across the exposed surface where the break is, you'll see concrete. Old concrete. Concrete that has been unprotected and has had years of exposure to the weather. They will be OK in some places, but mostly the broken edges your roof tiles will be brittle and crumbling — and there will be what we professionals in the industry call 'roof tile dust' everywhere.

The bottom line is, it won't offer a sound enough surface for the silicone to grip. And while it will look OK for a short while, it will let go.

Let's look at what is really going on with those cracked and broken roof tiles

Broken roof tiles are a symptom of a bigger problem. People think roof tiles crack and break because something fell on 'em, like a tree branch in a storm.

This is rarely the case.

Just like a bottle of milk, your roof has a use-by-date. Problem is, you can push the milk a couple of days over, give it a whiff and if it's on the nose, you just chuck it out.

Your roof's use-by-date depends on a bunch of things like age, weather and how well you have (or haven't) looked after it. And once the factory coating is gone, she's headed for tile heaven.

Factory coating on roof tiles??

Yep. All tiles have a protective coating. It lasts ages, but not forever. Once it's gone, water soaks into the tile, every time it rains. Then comes a stinking hot day, followed by a cold one and SNAP! Crackle Pop!!!

Busted tiles!

Once you've got cracked roof tiles mate, you'll have more each year!

Yep, like kids, they just keep growing. You might see three broken tiles this year and think there'll be three next year.

But it's going to be more like ten! They increase in number (and here's a big word for me)… exponentially!!

And remember, it isn't just the broken roof tiles that you have to worry about.

You don't want to leave it go, because if moisture gets in, there's a real risk of damage to your ceiling, walls, floors and furniture. And to fix THAT problem can mean big bucks!

When it comes down to it, what you really want is…

No more leaks (or worries)
A great looking roof
Happy wife – happy life!

If roof tiles fixed themselves, I'd be out of business and turning my hand to goat farming. But they don't so, for now the goats are safe and you need to do something about the broken tiles on that roof!

So just come back down the ladder, slowly. Now put the silicone gun down… and get in touch with us!

No matter how simple or complex the problem, we can sort it out — and help make your home great again. As we like to say, if you have an issue with your roof, make it OUR problem!

What is the Best Metal Roof Paint?

Wed, 15 May 2019 02:44:37 GMT

Licenced Builder (and My Home Improvements' Managing Director) Greg Catton explains what makes a great metal roof paint, AND names names.

People often ask me what's the best metal roof paint on the market.

It's a fair enough question; as you'll know if you've done a bit of research into iron roof restorations , metal roof paints don't come cheap, and the last thing you'd want is one that doesn't go the distance.

I do have the definitive answer to this question – and I've got to tell you that you won't find it at Bunnings – but first let me explain WHY my number one pick is the best paint for a metal roof.

There are three factors that make a quality metal roof paint better than its competitors, and in some cases, much better. They are:

The solids level in the paint
The 'breathability' of the coating, and
The flexibility of the metal roof paint.

Let's look at these separately.

The best metal roof paint is high in solids.

The most important factor to consider with metal roof paint is the solids level in the coating.

Let me explain why.

You see, paint coatings are made from these main constituents:

Pigments (solid or liquid) – the ingredients that give the coating its colour
Binders (resin) – the ingredient that holds the pigment in place, a constituting agent
Extender – larger pigment particles that give strength and adhesion the film
Solvents – used to give viscosity to the coating
Additives – used to modify the property of some of the ingredients. (For example, some coatings have in-built fungicides or biocides in them.)

All different metal roof coatings serve different purposes, however with your roof the most important facet of the system is how long the coating will hold its colour, and how well it will pull up after direct and extreme exposure to the sun and its damaging UV rays.

Many roof coatings claim to have high pigments in their coatings but this is misleading.

They achieve this by adding a higher percentage of solids (chalks) to the metal roof paint.

Unfortunately, this does not increase the lifespan of the product. On the contrary, the more solids used actually prevents the paint from being mixed into a uniform liquid.

It usually leads to an uneven and premature break down of the coating long before a high quality roof paint will start to show signs of wear and tear.

Quality metal roof paints use very high Resin Solids.

Premium metal roof paints are chockful of resin-solids.

Resin is an ultra-heavy liquid solid containing the pigment or the colours of the roof paint; the more pure the resin, the more colour-fast the paint will be.

Pure Resins offer the strongest resistance to UV light exposure, chalking and yellowing, fading, bubbling, cracking and peeling, all provided the manufacturer's application process is stringently followed.

Resins are very expensive to buy or manufacture, so a lot of manufacturers have started to take short cuts.

In recent years, some hybrid liquid resin solids have hit the market in an attempt to reduce overall production costs yet still meet some of the more rigorous demands of roof paint coatings.

Co-Polymer or Styrene Resins are two which come to mind, but I only use Roof Coatings that offer 100% Pure Resin Solids.

As you continue your research, you will notice that the top metal roof paints – the ones that contain the most resin solids – offer the industry's longest manufacturer's warranty…and now you'll know why.

The best metal roof paint is breathable.

The second most important factor of a top metal roof paint is how breathable it is.

Some people think I've lost it when I tell them this, but if very small water vapours are allowed to be released from underneath the coating, the longer the paint will last.

If your roof coatings system doesn't allow a very minimal amount of moisture transfer, you could well end up with bubbling of the roof coating within months of application.

This is because inferior roof coatings tend to form impermeable skins on the outside which harden over the next 14 days.

Once this has occurred no moisture can be released from the underside of the paint.

Premium metal roof paints are breathable and allow this moisture to slowly release and give your roof coating system a longer, drier lifespan.

They also reduce the possibility of fungus growing in the tiles under your coating and drastically reducing the longevity.

The best metal roof paint is flexible.

The third aspect that makes for a superior quality metal roof paint is flexibility.

Now cheaper roof paint manufacturers will no doubt claim their product is flexible, but we need to ask what type of ingredient provides this flexibility.

If the answer is any type of migratory plasticizer this means the roof coating will initially be flexible but over the coming months the plasticizer will leach out of the paint.

This will leave it rigid and prone to degrade soon after.

100% Elastomeric Acrylic Polymers are expensive but last a life time and ensure that no matter how much your home may move over the years, so too will your metal roof coating system.

So…what IS the best metal roof paint?

I'm just a humble builder and it has taken me 15 years to understand the scientific action of paints and what determines the best product.

But now that I am more cluey about solids, breathability and flexibility, I know that the superior metal roof paint is Nutech. With daylight second.

Nutech are the only specialist roof coatings manufacturers in Australia that use the highest quality ingredients and Pure Resins…and that's probably why they offer the longest warranty on the market.

It also so happens that my team of licenced contractors and myself understand the application process so completely, we are currently the only Certified contractors in Queensland for Nutech Roof Coatings.

For more information and advice about metal roof paints, or roof restorations generally – or to arrange a 100% obligation-free Assessment – please call 07-3808 0700 and speak to one of our friendly, ever-helpful team members. Or simply click here to contact us .

The Right Way to Paint a Metal Roof

Wed, 15 May 2019 02:03:50 GMT

Licenced Builder (and My Home Improvements' Managing Director) Greg Catton is an expert in metal roof restoration and tells you everything you need to know about painting metal roofs.

Like everything in life, there's a right way and a wrong way to paint a metal roof… and I've seen some real shockers over the years.

Sometimes by blokes who do it for a crust and who should know better.

Often it comes down to a distinct lack of preparation – rushing things, and not paying due care and attention – but there are other factors such as using the using wrong type of paint, which just makes me scratch my head.

With this in mind, I thought I'd put a few words together about the RIGHT way to paint a metal roof.

And before you ask the obvious question:

Is painting a metal roof different to painting a tile roof?

And the even more obvious question: Can you paint a metal roof?

…the answers are "Yes, it is" and "Yes, you can!"

When to paint a metal roof.

Unlike tile roofs, metal roofs (also called tin roofs, iron roofs and of course Colorbond roofs, but let's stick with metal for now) are renowned for their strength and durability.

In fact, they can last for decades with hardly any maintenance, and rarely any repair needed.

However, even though they remain structurally strong, the elements – particularly the harsh Aussie sun – can play havoc with their general appearance.

Paint combined with the onset of rust and corrosion will mean that it's time to repaint your roof.

When that time comes, there are three ways you can go:

Paint your metal roof yourself
Get a cowboy to paint it for $1600 (bearing in mind you get what you pay for), or
Have it professionally painted by My Home Improvements

Painting your metal roof yourself is not recommended.

It is time consuming, dangerous and won't save you nearly as much money as you think… unless you buy a really cheap roof paint, which will look good for a year or two or three, then well, who knows? You may have to paint it again.

(Incidentally, if you do decide to paint your metal roof yourself make sure you wear a respirator or dust mask for protection, and a harness for safety. And dare I say it… avoid the power line at all costs!)

Getting the $1600 "special" also sounds good, until you ask yourself WHY is it so cheap? How do you know they'll prepare and paint your metal roof correctly, or even use the right paint?

Are you going to get up there and supervise? And would you know what you were looking out for if you did?

I've seen these cowboys use a cheap high sheen, which would be bad enough on a tile roof, but is totally inappropriate for metal roofs – it shows all the imperfections, plus when it gets hot, it WILL bubble and peel.

Professional metal roof painting

So, you've opted to go with My Home Improvements? Great choice!

Here's how we go about painting a metal roof the way it should be painted.

Preparation is paramount, so go to great lengths to prep the metal roof properly before we even grab a spray gun and paint roller.

First of all, we carefully remove all flaking paint, dust, dirt and debris using a high pressure cleaner on the entire roof surface, then use a wire brush and sandpaper for finicky areas with heavy surface rust.

If there is any surface rust, we treat it with a special rust inhibitor that doesn't need to be washed away.

We then scan your entire roof looking for and replacing rusty or damaged screws.

After all, there's no point in having a schmick new paint job on your metal roof if your metal roof ends up in your neighbour's back yard.

Finally we scour the roof to leave a slightly abraded, textured finish, as this helps your new paint bond with the metal roof.

Once it's prepped, we add a primer.

But hang on, Greg, I hear you say…shouldn't you use a sealer first?

Nope. Sealers aren't necessary when you paint metal roofs – you only need them on tile roofs.

Having said that, the primers we use have a built-in anti-corrosive component, so they'll look good for a very, very long time.

We then wait for the primer to dry, especially in humid weather, as it needs time to cure properly. This is something the cowboys seldom worry about.

After that, we then apply two top coats, then climb on down and join you in admiring our handiwork.

Traps for young players when you paint metal roofs.

"We had our metal roof painted really cheaply, and it looks sensational!"

That's what everyone who takes advantage of the "we're in your area" $1600 Special says… at first.

The thing to remember is that even bad paint jobs look great when they're first done, no doubt compared to what the metal roof looked like BEFORE it was painted.

But as my old mate Benjamin Franklin said when someone did a shoddy job painting HIS metal roof:

"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."

Here are some of the things unscrupulous painters do to cut their costs:

Doing a half-hearted prep
Painting right over rust and rusty/missing screws (by the time it's an issue, they'll be long gone)
Rushing things, not waiting for each coat to dry
Skipping a coat or two
Watering down paint, using a 70/30 mixture to 'stretch it out'.
Using cheap paint that is low in resin solids.

To qualify this last point, and without getting too technical, good quality roof paint (like Nutech, the brand we use) contains more resin solids, which hold the colour or pigments in paint.

Other paint brands use fillers, binders and chalks and claim that these "solids" (not resin solids) will stand up to damaging UV.

WRONG!!! In fact, quite misleading.

This will only cause separation of liquids and solids if the paint is not mixed thoroughly, or is left standing for two long.

If the tradie doesn't mix the paint on site it will only perform for between 50-75% of the projected lifespan.

As well as that, some manufacturers will advise you to spray on at almost double the thickness to achieve a "High Build" coating.

The trouble with that is UV strength doesn't come from the thickness of the paint as much as the level of resin solids.

I hope this has been helpful.

If you'd like to talk further about the right way to paint a metal roof, or if you require some more information and advice – or a Free Quote – just call 3808 0700 and speak to a My Home Improvements team member, or simply click here to contact us .

Why you need to check building approval and insurance is obtained for your roof replacement

Wed, 15 May 2019 01:52:09 GMT

If you are considering getting a roof replacement , you'd be forgiven for thinking that a roofing contractor would take care of all the necessary approvals and insurances.

As a Licenced Builder and all-round roofing guru, Greg Catton from My Home Improvements knows that there are some roofing contractors out there who often fail to secure all the right paperwork or comply with relevant standards.

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) has recently started cracking down on contractors who aren't playing by the books.

As a property owner, there's some basic things you should be aware of before hiring a contractor.

If a roof replacement is on your horizon, here's what you need to be checking for to ensure you aren't caught out.

What the QBCC says is required for a roof replacement

For QBCC licenced roofing contractors, there are 2 main things the contractor needs to obtain before undertaking a roof replacement.

#1 – Insurance

This is payment of Home Warranty Scheme premiums to the QBCC when the value of a roof replacement exceeds $3,300 on a residential building.

The premium works as protection for homeowners. It provides cover in situations where the contractor "…fails to complete the work, the work is defective, or subsidence occurs."

So basically, if the contractor stuffs up the job, the QBCC will pay to have the work remedied for you.

It is the responsibility of the contractor to pay this premium. The cost of the premium ought to be incorporated into every roof replacement quote.

#2 – Building Approval

This approval is required when replacement of more than 20% of the existing roof area will occur.

An independent certifier will review the building approval and is responsible for ensuring the roof replacement work will comply with relevant industry standards.

It is the responsibility of either the roofing contractor or the property owner to secure the building approval, depending on the situation. Again, the cost of securing this approval should be included in a contractors' quote.

In recent months, the QBCC has identified that some roofing contractors are not paying their Home Warranty Scheme premiums and/or not securing building approval.

Failure to secure building approval can see a contractor fined between $50,000 – $100,000 and even cop a 12-month prison sentence.

But what does this all mean for me as a property owner?

If you hire a roofing contractor who hasn't paid their insurance or hasn't secured building approval, then there are unfortunately some implications for you.

Firstly, you won't be protected by QBCC insurance if the contractor stuffs up the job.

Additionally, any roof replacement job which has been completed without building approval may void your home insurance.

Also, securing building approval is critical to ensuring that all work being carried out meets current legislation and standards. This is really important as standards for re-roofing work are continuously changing and being upgraded.

In recent times for example, the roofing industry became aware of home owners in North Queensland loosing their roof frames in cyclones or severe storms. This was a result of modern roofing materials being used that were too lightweight to withstand strong winds. Roofing screws were literally being ripped out during storm weather.

The Government had not updated relevant codes of practice over the years to keep up with the increasing use of lightweight metal. This type of metal is perfectly fine to use in most areas of Australia, but not in North Queensland.

Tie-down laws have now been updated to prevent this from happening again. Tie-downs are fixings added to battens that prevent uplift of a room in strong winds.

But if a roofing contractor fails to apply for building approval, then a certifier cannot check that they are adhering to these new tie-down standards.

The tie downs in this roof replacement have been installed properly

Sounds like all of this is a bit of a headache, right? But here's some advice for how to prevent said headache.

How can I check that the contractor is legit?

Always ask a roof contractor to break down and explain everything in the quote they've given you.

If they haven't incorporated the cost of insurance or securing building approval in their price…tell them "thanks but no thanks!"

Also, if the contractor is trying to convince you that you don't need to worry about building approval, then they are misinformed or seriously dodgy.

You can also ask the contractor to show you a copy of the "Form 21" which is a Final Inspection Certificate . This documentation confirms an independent certifier has signed off on all work being completed to current standards.

Want to make sure your roof replacement is done right. Talk to us!

My Home Improvements have 20 years' experiences as roofing contractors. We experts at roof replacements, especially in Queensland.

We know all the ins and outs of securing building approval and relevant insurance. Plus, we know each industry code like the back of our hand.

If you would like more information about roof replacements or roofing work in general, My Home Improvements will be happy to help. Simply click here to contact us .

How to avoid a bad roof replacement

Wed, 15 May 2019 01:18:45 GMT

As a Licenced Builder and all-round roofing guru, Greg Catton from My Home Improvements has been called in countless time to fix up dodgy roof replacement jobs all over Brisbane and Queensland.

A shonky roofing contractor can not only leave you thousands out of pocket, but can leave you with a roof prone to leaking and serious damage.

If you are considering getting a roof replacement or are thinking you might need one in the near future, here's some things to check with a roofing contractor before you hire them.

#1 – Is the roofing contractor QBCC Licensed?

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) is the State's building and construction industry regulator. Any contractors performing building work valued at over $3,300 must hold a QBCC licence.

The licence shows that a contractor holds all the relevant qualifications and experience necessary to complete your roof replacement thoroughly and to code.

If a roofing contractor doesn't hold a QBCC Licence or is unwilling to show you their Licence, well, run for the hills. They clearly won't be able to conduct a roof replacement job professionally.

#2 – Will the roofing contractor create a Safety Work Method Statement?

As much as I enjoy my job, working on a roof is no joke.

There are obvious hazards to working at heights that need to be mitigated, such as the risk of falls and exposure to electricity. There are also less obvious hazards to consider like exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

A professional roofing contractor will always identify potential risks and prepare a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) before commencing work on a roof replacement. This document outlines what measures will be put in place to control any risk factors such as the use of personal protective equipment and the supervision of workers completing certain tasks.

Always confirm with a roofing contractor that they will be preparing a SWMS and ask to see a copy. If they fail to prepare a SWMS, the contractor is endangering not only themselves, but your own safety too.

#3 – Will the roofing contractor use high quality materials?

The quality of the metal roofing sheets used in a roof replacement has a massive impact on the lifespan of the roof.

The best sheet manufacturers use BlueScope Steel for its premium quality and reliability. Some roofing contractors will use "second tier" products from overseas to cut costs.

A roof with brand new BlueScope roof sheets will carry a up to a 30-year warranty whereas cheaper sheets will only last for 15 – 20 years.

My advice – if they aren't using BlueScope, forget 'em!

When it comes to roofs, it's always better to get it done once right to avoid having to pay more in the long run.

#4 – Will the roofing contractor lay the roofing sheets correctly?

This is harder for an average homeowner to check, but many roofing contractors fail to install roofing sheets correctly.

Roofing sheets need to be laid down using highly detailed specifications from the manufacturer. For example – the distance between each screw has to be exact and consistent across the whole roof.

A key thing to confirm with a roofing contractor is if they will "turn up" the ends of the sheets when doing a roof replacement. Metal roof sheeting must be turned up at the high end of the roof to stop wind driven rain entering the roof cavity.

This is incredibly important for low-pitched roofs, particularly for properties in Queensland. We might be called the "Sunshine State", but our extreme weather conditions pose a constant battle for roofs.

Turning up the sheets is relatively easy and can be done by a roof contractor using a special tool, yet many contractors still fail to do so.

Also, the sheets need to be installed AGAINST the prevailing wind direction. Otherwise, water will fly up against the join of 2 sheets, impacting on the longevity of the roof. You'd be amazed at how many roofs I've seen where someone has installed the sheets in the same direction as the wind!

I strongly suggest checking with a roofing contractor which way they plan to lay the sheets and whether they will turn up the sheets to gauge whether they are pros or not.

#5 – Will the roofing contractor install a roofing blanket?

A roofing blanket should always be installed during a roof replacement.

The blanket is installed over the battens and has a foil side and a glass/wool side. The 2 sides work to provide insulation as well as a moisture barrier.

Without a blanket, the longevity of your roof will be compromised. The blanket will prevent rust caused by condensation from moisture.

Ceiling bats are different to a roofing blanket and work separately to insulate your home.

Some contractors may not bother to install a roofing blanket to reduce the amount of labour and time on a job. But take it from me, a blanket is almost always a must.

Want to make sure you get a proper roof replacement? Talk to us!

My Home Improvements have 20 years' experiences as roofing contractors. We experts at roof replacements, especially in Queensland. So much so, we're often called in to fix up the mistakes of other contractors.

If you would like more information about roof replacements or roofing work in general, My Home Improvements will be happy to help. Simply click here to contact us .

Here's the nitty gritty of restoring old tile roofs

Tue, 14 May 2019 12:10:28 GMT

As a Licenced Builder and all-round roofing guru, Greg Catton from My Home Improvements has worked on countless tile roof restoration jobs all over Brisbane and Queensland.

Restoring old tile roofs presents an intricate challenge for any roofing contractor. If not done correctly, newly restored roof tiles can lose their beauty in just a few short years.

Often times, the reason for this occurring is that the contractor didn't know how to deal with older style tiles which need additional preparation and care.

An old tile roof can still be serviceable with a long life ahead. But prior to any restoration work, it will need correct treatment to protect and prepare it for a beautiful, long lasting top coat.

In this article, Greg explains the importance of using the right primer and taking the necessary preparation steps when restoring old tile roofs.

When just pressure cleaning won't cut it

If you've got a house with old roof tiles, even straight after pressure cleaning, you can still feel grittiness.

You mightn't think it's a biggie…it's just a bit of loose grit, right?

Let me tell you, if there is any loose sediment, the surface will move under the new top-coat, causing it to lift.

Your newly restored tiled roof will look rubbish in a few short years. That IS a biggie!

To prevent this from occurring, a specific type of primer must always be used to bind any loose sediments down.

Not all roofing contractors are experienced in restoring old tile roofs as it's a bit of a specialised area. They may not be aware of which is the right type of primer to use or the correct preparation steps to take prior to restoration.

The pressure of preparation can all be a bit too much

You've used a pressure cleaner before, right?

They're powerful little beasts and they make the preparation part of the job so much easier.

But there's a down side.

You may be tempted to pressure clean someone else's poor work or try to resolve the problem of peeling roof paint that a house flipper has painted in his favourite colour of yellow!

But if not used correctly, or there's a problem with the old roof tiles, pressure cleaning can actually pull sheets of concrete off, leaving feathered edges that curl up when they dry. Note – this only applies to previously restored roofs where existing paint from another poor restoration is still on the roof.

When this happens, the restoration process requires much more preparation in addition to using the correct primer to stick those feathered edges down.

In some cases, a primer with an additional flexible membrane is needed to ensure the paint lasts a lot longer and to make the final appearance look super schmick.

What about dealing with moisture?

Primer for older tiles needs more anti-fungicide treatment, as the likelihood of moisture being trapped in the tile is higher.

(PS did you know some Primer/Paint manufacturers don't even use anti-fungals in their coatings? The good ones do, so keep an eye out for manufacturers that recommend a separate anti-fungal)

Moisture is one thing that can trigger a bunch of problems and not just cosmetic ones.

Mould, moss and algae, otherwise known as lichens just LOVE tiled roofs and can turn your roof into a blackish green mouldy mess before you can say "Pick me up 1000 bottles of mould spray from the supermarket would you love?"

Unfortunately, lichen are hardy folk who need a more powerful push before they'll vacate your premises. I've written quite a bit about whether you need a fungicide on your roof . Have a read up on the problem and the right and wrong way to deal with it.

Worse-case scenario – what happens if the wrong primer is applied?

Pin-pricks holes can appear in the top coat making it quickly lose its 'new roof' appearance.

And at worst (and it's a really bad 'worst') the top coat won't 'attach' – it sits on top and the paint will lift. Awful!

Not to mention people pointing and laughing at your sad, lack-lustre roof as they jog past.

Oh and the immediate loss of value when it comes time to sell. And the fact that nothing much will fix it so you're in for a complete redo.

Alright, so what primer do you use to prime old tile roofs?

I'm glad you asked!

For restoring old tile roofs, I swear by the Aussie-made SupaPrime, part of the Nutech range. It's easy to get a nice thick build in just two top coats.

Some troublesome tile roofs may need NuPrime and to really bind that lose sediment. There's even a special primer just for terracotta roofs called Elite Terracotta Prime H2O.

I could bang on a bit about the Nutech range. They're just a cracker of an Aussie success story. The product has been exported to 21 countries worldwide and used on over 800,000 roofs. And no, I might have been around for 20 years but I didn't paint ALL those roofs!

It goes on glossy and stays that way… much longer than other roof coatings. I've used and it comes with one of the longest guarantees around – how's 10 years??

It's also drinking water safe – super important if you're collecting rain water for use in the house.

Want to make sure your tile roof restoration is done right. Talk to us!

As old tile roofs are so intricate, they require a lot of experience to deal with them correctly. So much so, we actually get regular referrals from other roofing contractors to take over potential restoration jobs for older properties…not that we're complaining!

We have 20 years' experiences as roofing contractors and are experts in all types of tile roofs.

We know the ins and outs of restoring old tile roofs and will always take the necessary preparation steps and use the correct primer to ensure your tile roof looks great for years and years to come.

If you would like more information about roof restorations or roofing work in general, My Home Improvements will be happy to help. Simply click here to contact us .

How to ensure your roof restoration has been quoted properly

Tue, 14 May 2019 12:07:39 GMT

As a Licensed Builder and all-round roofing guru, Greg Catton from My Home Improvements has quoted on countless roof restoration jobs all over Brisbane and Queensland.

He knows from experience that while a roof can look to be in good shape from ground level, it can be a totally different story once you actually get up on the roof and start poking around.

Relying on the age of a roof can also be very deceiving in determining its condition.

In this article, Greg explains the importance of ensuring a roofing contractor conducts a thorough inspection in order to properly quote a roof restoration job.

Here's a scenario

A little while ago I was called out to do a quote on a roof restoration job for a property in Carindale. I knew the roof had cement tiles and was around 15 years old.

Because of its age, I assumed the tiles on this roof, especially the ridge capping, would be in a reasonable state.

But once I actually got up to do an inspection, I nearly fell of the damn roof.

The cement bedding under the ridge caps was like the Kalahari Desert when you put it in your hands. As you can see in the image below, the ridge caps were effectively sitting on the roof unattached and completely useless.

For a 15-year-old roof, this simply should NOT have been the case.

What had happened was that the ridge caps were never locked down properly on the roof in the first place.

The importance of ridge caps

Ridge caps are made from cement in an inverted V shape and are placed down along where roof planes meet an angle. They are incredibly important as they secure down roof tiles on the top layers of the tiles.

In the "old days", I'm talking pre-1990 here, contractors used cement to secure or "point" ridge caps. However, gradually it was realised that using cement alone wasn't entirely effective. With house movement, cement cracks easily, so it did not give much security to the tiles

To prevent this, the industry started using a product called Flexi-Point to point ridge caps instead of cement.

Flexi-Point is made from water based polymers and fillers and is intended to 'feel' like normal cement mortar. It differs from traditional and inherently brittle cement mortar pointing in that it retains a significant post cure flexibility. This enables it to flex in harmony with roof movements without cracking or breaking away.

Use of Flexi-Point has been adopted as a standard in the Australian roofing industry since the mid 1990s.

But apparently the contractor who built the roof at this Carindale property never got that memo!

Luckily for this customer, we were able to properly quote for his roof restoration after a thorough inspection. Our quote included steps to re-bed and re-point the ridge caps using Flexi-Point and set things up properly for a long lasting, beautiful tile restoration job.

So the moral of this story is this…

Always ensure a roofing contractor actually gets up on your roof before they give you a roof restoration quote.

A thorough inspection conducted by a licenced roofing contractor is the only way to identify potential problems such as loose or broken tiles, water damage, lichens, damaged ridge caps and much more.

You simply can not diagnose problems with a roof by looking at it from the ground or assuming what condition it is based on the age of the roof.

A professional roofing contractor will take lots of photos of your roof to show you any problems they've found.

What happens if a roofing contractor doesn't get up on the roof to quote?

Unfortunately, there are shonky contractors out there who sometimes don't bother to get up on your roof to do a quote. Obviously they can't properly identify potential problems to quote on if they are just relying on how old the roof is or viewing the roof from the ground.

One of two things might happen once they get up on your roof to start work after they've quoted you:

They will just ignore or cover up any problems they didn't identify in the first place — leaving you with a poorly done job and disappointment.
They will try to charge you more than what they quoted for to fix the issues they didn't know about — a difficult position for you to be in once the job has started.

Want to make sure your roof restoration is quoted properly. Talk to us!

My Home Improvements have 20 years' experience as roofing contractors. We're experts at both tile roof restorations and metal roof restorations .

We always conduct a thorough inspection prior to quoting work and will happily provide an obligation free assessment at your property so you know exactly where you stand and can feel confident about the quality of work being done.

If you would like more information about roof restorations or roofing work in general, My Home Improvements will be happy to help. Simply click here to contact us .

What to do if your metal or tiled roof is leaking.

Tue, 14 May 2019 12:00:45 GMT

If your roof leaks, you've got to act fast and call a roof repair specialist the second you notice it, says My Home Improvements MD, Greg Catton.

I got a call the other day from a bloke who said: "I've got a leak in my roof!"

I said "Well, if you've gotta, you've gotta I guess."

All jokes aside, a leaking roof is a serious matter that has to be dealt with immediately. The sooner you get the roof repaired the better.

Let's face it, leaking roofs aren't going to fix themselves, and the problem is only going to get worse.

Over the past 20 years, my team of professional roofing contractors have performed hundreds of leaking roof repairs.

The secret is pinpointing the REAL cause of the roof leak and fixing the problem quickly, before it can do further damage.

With that in mind, let's look at the possible causes of the leaking roof.

Why your roof is leaking.

As my old science teacher used to tell me, water will always find its level… and I reckon it will always find a way into your roof. The causes range from broken/ chipped roof tiles and roof sheets lifting to damage caused by storms, strong winds, and hail.

Fortunately, we know exactly how to fix a leaking roof quickly, affordably and with the least amount of stress. Here are the major causes for leaking roofs and what you should do about them. Let's start with…

Why your metal roof is leaking.

Nails or screws missing.

Because they're made of metal, nails can rust and lose their heads (something you should never do, no matter how badly your roof is leaking!) Metal screws rarely fail (unless they're cheap & nasty) but if they weren't set properly, or screwed in too tightly, they can break off. This can lead to water pooling in the indents and getting in, causing possible:

Water damage to batons,
Warped structural timbers and
Damaged ceilings.

Provided they aren't badly rusted, we will take the old nails out and re-screw the roof.

Pitted rust

Common in coastal areas, pitted rust will cause deep holes in the sheets of metal – and holes can only mean one thing: roof leaks. If the rust is confined to one section, we can repair your roof, otherwise you'll be up for a newie.

Rotten Roof Timbers

If water has seeped down into your roof's framework, the damage may be irreparable. We'll do our best to save the woodwork, but…

Damp Patches in Ceiling

Often this is the first sign of a water leak. Left unchecked, it could:

compromise the integrity of the ceiling
lead to mould and mildew, or
cause the ceiling to physically fail.

My Home Improvements will assess the situation and let you know if the problem is salvageable, especially if we get to it early enough.

Why your tiled roof is leaking.

Because tiled roofs are usually more expensive that metal roofs, it's probably more important to look at a roof repair if you have a leaking roof, rather than a replacement. Let's look at why tiled roof leaks…

Broken or chipped tiles

Caused by flying debris in storms or high wind, or by wear and tear over time (when the binding concrete breaks down), broken tiles are one of the biggest causes of water ingress into your ceiling. We can replace individual tiles, however the older they are, the harder it may be to find an exact colour match.

If the water has damaged the timber in the ceilings, they may need to also be replaced.

Mortar cracking & falling out

The mortar bedding (also called pointing) that glues the ridge caps to the tiles can break apart from movement or age. This can let the rain in, through holes and cracks. To fix existing leaks and prevent new ones happening, we will replace all the mortar.

Loose ridge caps

Similar to problems with mortar, loose ridge caps can also let the water enter your roof causing untold damage. Once again, we will replace all ridge capping to stop your roof leaking.

Leaking Valleys

Your roof's valley gutters – where two different angles of roof meet – are designed to direct the flow of water off the roof. If the gutters become blocked by slipping tiles or leaves, the water can pool…leading to potential leaks. We will clean the valley, install "Valley Seal" bitumen-impregnated sticky foam to stop the tiles sliding and block the valley…so there's no more leaks.

Drip Spot Leaks in Ceiling

If you're noticing water stains in the ceiling in several areas, it could be caused by either Broken tiles or aging Storm Retention clips.

These clips are the little fittings that sit on the underside of the tile in the water course. Rubble builds up in them over the years and sends water side ways out of the water course into the roof. To prevent roof leaks, we will replace the broken tiles and change the clips over to a new style that doesn't invade the water course.

For more detailed information and expert advice about what to do if your roof is leaking – or to arrange an obligation-free inspection, simply call 07-3808 0700 and speak to a friendly, helpful My Home Improvements team member, or click here to contact us .

What's the best paint primer when restoring your tiled roof?

Tue, 14 May 2019 11:51:09 GMT

If you've decided it's time your tiled roof needs a face-lift, then take a moment to find out why it's critical that the roof restoration service uses the right type of primer.

My Home Improvements' MD and Licenced Builder Greg Catton shares from experience and explains the best primer paint to use on your tiled roof.

Ever wondered why some tile roof restoration jobs look great? And others look, well… pretty awful?

After spending 20 years repairing, restoring and replacing roofs, I can tell you I've seen some shockers.

A big part of creating a beautiful, long-lasting finish comes down to a critical phase that often gets overlooked with a tiled roof, (or short-cutted, if that's even a word!) — and that is the primer that is being used.

Use of the wrong (read: cheap and won't last) primer for a tiled roof restoration is an easy way to cut the cost. And it might just explain that 'bargain' price you were offered from 'Dodgy Brothers Roofing!'

You don't see it once the top coats are on your roof, but the PRIMER being used is very important. It can make the difference between a brilliant tiled roof restoration, and one that quickly loses its 'glamour' and before long is looking even more manky than before.

There are two things to know with primer for tiled roofs:

It must be a penetrating primer.
It must have the right viscosity.

Why a tiled roof restoration needs a penetrative primer

The first thing to understand is that, unlike a metal roof, your tiled roof is made of concrete.

And concrete is porous.

And so, a penetrating primer has to be used. That's the type that seeps into the pores of the concrete tiles and lays a sound base for the actual finishing paint.

If it isn't a penetrating primer, it will just sit on top, and it won't get a grip.

And if the primer doesn't grip, then the top coat is going to part company with your tiles in record time, and you'll be an unhappy camper.

Why a tiled roof restoration primer needs high viscosity

Unlike a metal roof, the surface of your tiled roof has lots of small pits, bumps and lumps.

If you've ever looked at a roof tile up close, you'll have seen that the surface is rough. And if it is an older tile where the factory coating has gone, it will also be porous, as discussed above.

To get the beautiful finish you want when your tiled roof is restored, those lumps, pits and bumps need to be smoothed out BEFORE the top coat goes on, and that's where a high viscosity (or 'high build') primer makes a world of difference.

The dictionary can explain what viscosity means better than I can…

The viscosity of a fluid is a measure of its resistance to deformation at a given rate. For liquids, it corresponds to the informal concept of "thickness"

So why the fancy word and why is it important in tiled roof painting?

The primer must be 'high build' enough so the top coat doesn't seep into the pores of the tile.

If the viscosity is low, it will be runny, or more 'fluid', then it won't build up that smooth-yet-protective coating you need before applying your top coats.

Having said that, there are times when you need a more fluid consistency which I'll tell you about next.

Do older roof tiles need a different primer during restoration? Yes! Here's why…

If you have an older tiled roof that is needing restoration, things can get really tricky — and there are other issues that a reputable roof restoration company will also consider when planning which primer to use to prepare for painting.

Before you decide which primer to use on your older roof tiles (and remember, there's more than one) you need to have a look at:

The age and condition of your tiles…
Whether they've been previously coated or never coated…
Even the brand of tile.

For example, the factory coating on old tiles like Monier 100s that have been around 30 or 40 years will have well and truly deteriorated, and need to be flooded with primer.

In some cases with old-but-serviceable tiles, we use low viscosity GP primer to seep into the pores and fill them up.

This creates flat substrate so microscopic that all those tiny pores and bumps don't show — and when the roof is restored, it will look so lovely that no one will even know that your roof was built before concrete was even invented!

So now can you see why viscosity (or consistency) is important?

Bottom line: if the roof restoration company you hire uses the wrong primer, it just creates runs.

And nobody like the runs!

Hope that's all been a help in knowing which primer is best for your tiled roof restoration.

The right primer can really make the difference between years of pleasure and increased value for your home — or years of disappointment and money down the whatzy!

We are passionate about getting it right, and I'd love to have a chat about your best (lowest cost option) to repair, restore or replace your tiled roof.

How to prevent common problems with Klip-lok Roofs

Tue, 14 May 2019 09:58:35 GMT

Klip-lok roofs are fairly common, but they can present a number of unique problems that property owners should be aware of.

If not installed or worked on correctly, you could end up facing some seriously tricky roof repairs in the long run.

As a Licensed Builder and all-round roofing guru, Greg Catton from My Home Improvements has installed and repaired Klip-lok roofs all over Brisbane and Queensland.

In this article, Greg explains the importance of ensuring your Klip-lok roof is installed correctly and how to identify potential problems before they get troublesome to deal with.

What exactly is a Klip-lok roof?

Klip-lok roof sheets are specifically designed for flat roofs, between 0 – 1 degrees in incline.

Unlike a traditional metal roof sheet, Klip-lok sheets are fixed with clips from below, instead of screws from above.

Pretty neat, right?

The concealed fixings on Klip-lok roofs offer superior watertightness compared to traditional screw-fix roofs. Think about it – every screw fixing on a roof is a possible source of leakage and corrosion over time.

There are many manufacturers of Klip-lok roof sheets and some have different names for their sheeting, such as Topdek (Stratco) and Spandek (Lysaght).

Klip-lok roofs were commonly used on homes and commercial buildings around 40 years ago. However, they have recently seen a resurgence in trend.

The sheets are made up of ribs and pans, as shown in the image below.

Common Problem #1 – Poor Trafficability

The pans of Klip-lok roofing sheets are very wide compared to corrugated iron.

The profile of the ribs is what gives the sheets high tensile strength, so the purlins underneath which support the sheeting can be installed further apart.

However, this means that anyone working on a Klip-lok roof needs to take extra care as to where they stand and walk on.

These days, Klip-lok sheets are made from really light, soft metal which is easier to rollform, unlike back in the good ol' days when using .6 thick steel was the way things were done.

Today's softer metals are much easier to damage when walked on.

So when you stand on an area of the roof that's not supported by a purlin, you can cause the roofing sheets to stretch and bow. This in turn allows water to pool in the bowed sections of the roof and this leads to surface rust. And let me tell you, surface rust is a bloody nightmare.

A dodgy roofing contractor who doesn't take care when standing on your roof, or just doesn't know enough about Klip-lok roof profiles, can cause some serious lasting damage.

If you think you might need some roof repair work done on your Klip-lok roof or are considering getting a roof replacement , here's a couple of things a reputable roofing contractor can do to prevent the issue of water pooling.

Additional purlins – this will give the roofing sheets extra support and reduce the amount of unsupported area that shouldn't be walked on.

Most Klip-lok suppliers will recommended a span of 2.2m between purlins, however this span can definitely be reduced depending on the size of your roof. The more purlins, the more support there is for walking on the roof sheets.

Use a thicker Base Metal Thickness (BMT) – Klip-lok roofing sheets come in all different thicknesses. Many roof repair companies will quote on using thinner sheets to reduce costs and most home owners would be none the wiser.

The recommended spec for most brands of Klip-lok is to use .42 BMT, however from my experience, I usually quote on using .48 BMT. This additional thickness will significantly increase the longevity of your roof.

Common Problem #2 – Unsealed Penetrations

Anything that protrudes from your roof is called a "penetration". For example – vent pipes, fireplaces and sky lights.

It's very important that when installing penetrations on a Klip-lok roof, they come up through the middle of a rib and NOT through a pan. This is because pans are positioned lower than ribs and this is where water will want to sit when it rains. So any penetrations placed in a pan are more likely to leak. It's much better for a penetration to stay high 'n dry up on the ribs.

In addition, penetrations that haven't been sealed properly on a Klip-lok roof are a major cause of rust. Some roofing contractors use silicone to seal around a penetration which just isn't effective at all.

When a penetration is wide (eg, for a skylight) the situation is made worse. It can mean that the sealed area spans right across the pans between ridges, creating a permanent mini swimming pool in each pan.

When it rains, you get a build up of water pooling around the silicone seal on the penetration. This essentially prevents the water from flowing down off the roof like it's supposed to.

The good news is – there IS a highly effective way to seal penetrations on Klilp-lok roofs. The solution is to use dry pan flashings.

A dry pan flashing is basically a metal flashing which covers over a roof sheet across the width of the penetration. It runs from the back of the penetration all the way up the Klip-lok sheet to the ridge of the roof.

In contrast, a newly installed dry pan flashing on a Klip-lok roof which had previously been riddled with surface rust works as follows: when rain falls on the dry pan, the water simply runs off into the sheet pan either side of the dry pan flashing. Like magic!

Common Problem #3 – Exposed Screws

Believe it or not. I've actually been called out to inspect some leaking Klip-lok roofs and found that previous roofing contractors have left exposed screws when doing repair work.

The whole point of using Klip-lok is to use clips and avoid the use of screws!!!!

I've also seen Klip-lok roofs that have had solar panels installed using…you guessed it…screws. A solar panel on a Klip-lok roof which hadn't been screwed in properly causes leaks and all sorts of misery for the property owner.

Any hole in a Klip-lok roof allows water to get in more easily compared to a pitched metal roof. So drilling and using screws on a patch repair job or some kind of installation will render the roof incredibly prone to leaks.

The areas around the screws will also start to rust when exposed to water. This can get particularly nasty when a property is located close to sea water.

Solar panels CAN be installed using specialised mounting brackets, so nothing needs to be drilled through the sheeting.

Same goes for repair work – there's no reason to ever leave behind exposed screws on a Klip-lok roof. Fixing clips should be used instead.

If you've got a Klip-lok roof that leaks, check to see if there's any areas on the roof that have holes or screws sticking out. I can almost guarantee that will be the cause of your leaks.

Check with any roofing contractor before they do any work on your Klip-lok roof – if they're planning on using screws, tell them to take a hike.

Having issues with your Klip-lok roof? Talk to us!

My Home Improvements have 20 years experience as roofing contractors.

We're experts at repairing and replacing Klip-lok roofs. So much so, we're often called in to fix up the mistakes of other contractors.

If you would like more information about Klip-lok roofs or roofing work in general, My Home Improvements would be happy to help. Simply click here to contact us .

What's the difference between Roof Paint and Exterior Paint?

Mon, 06 May 2019 00:05:56 GMT

The difference between Specialised Roof Paint and normal exterior paint explained by Licenced Builder (and Managing Director) Greg Catton.

Warning! As you read this article, you may begin to think I'm getting a kickback from Nutech Roof Coatings, the way I'm raving on about them. I assure you, I'm not. They're just head and shoulders above the other paints.

As a roof restorer, I'm often asked: "What's the difference between roof paint and exterior paint?" Well, just as "oils ain't oils", roof paints definitely ain't roof paints. Sure you could use any old exterior paint when doing a roof repair , tile roof restoration or metal roof restoration , and for a while it could look pretty schmick…but only for a very short while. You see, normal exterior paint isn't a patch on specialised roof paint that has been painstakingly developed and fine-tuned over the years. Take Nutech Paint for example. (See, I'm already pushing their barrow!) These blokes have been around for over 40 years – they are Australia's largest and oldest roof coating specialists – and in this builder's humble opinion, it's them first and daylight second. I've been using their paints for about 25 years and the only time I've ever been disappointed was when I didn't order enough and had to go back for more. More about it later in this bulletin, OK?

Why is it important to use only roof paint on a roof?

You wouldn't use ceiling paint on a deck, would you?

You'd know that deck paint has been designed to deal with a lot of foot traffic and be very durable, while the ceiling paint would quickly wear away.

It's the same with roof coatings; roof paints have been designed with quite a few unique properties.

All roof paint needs to be high quality. Being out in the blazing hot sun and elements, they have to be amazingly elastic, so they can stretch for hours at a time and then return to their original shape. And do it all again tomorrow. And the day after that…finishes have a variable life expectancy.

A roof paint also has to be tough and resilient. As the topmost layer of protection for the roof membrane, it is going to cop the full brunt of:

infrared and ultraviolet sunlight
torrential rain
gale force winds
massive storms
and even hail.

On top of that, it has to be able to keep your home as cool as possible. Oh, and look the goods too.

In short, it's got to be able to continue to perform in all conditions, look great and protect for as long as possible.

And you aren't going to find all those qualities in a cheap external paint, I tell you.

Like so many roof restorers, I used to base my choice of roof paints on price, then performance.

These days, it comes down to performance, then value-for-money.

That's why I use Nutech roof coatings exclusively.

If you want to cut corners and use another brand of roof paint, fair enough…but definitely count me out.

I have had first-hand experience with ALL the top brand roof paints – including Dulux, Taubmans, Solarcoat, British Paints, Solargard, Berger and many more – and none of them come close to Nutech.

Like me, NuTech Roof Coatings keep their good looks longer, and as for performance, well that goes right through the roof!

Lots of other people agree with me. For example, here's a comment from a Whirlpool Forum enthusiast…

"I've used both (Dulux and Nutech) many times… I prefer the Nutech… it is thicker and easier to get a nice thick build in 2 coats… the Dulux is considerably thinner." Whirlpool Forum Comment

Little wonder this advanced Aussie-made roof paint:

Has been exported to 21 countries worldwide
Has been used on a staggering 800,000+ roofs
Covers over 128 million square metres of roof area, and
Comes complete with some of the longest guarantees in the business…

in fact, their top-of-the-range NXT Heat-Reflective Roof Coating is backed by an industry-leading 12-year manufacturer's warranty.

Different roof coatings for different applications.

Preparation is crucial when repainting a roof, so I always 'prep and prime' using a range of Nutech primers and sealers, such as SupaPrime and Master Sealer .

Metal roofs might need Anti-Corrosion Metal Primer , while tile roofs may require NuPrime and Maxi Point , and for terracotta roofs I always use Elite Terracotta Prime H2O .

All of their surface preparation products and sealers are fully compatible with the Nutech topcoats and there are three of those quality roof paints to choose from, ranging from NuFlex and TileFlex right up to the NXT.

NuFlex is a 100% gloss acrylic roof coating designed to be colour fade resistant and non-yellowing to guarantee maximum durability.

It withstands the most adverse weather conditions, is potable (drinking water safe) and backed by an 8-year manufacturer's warranty.

According to the paint tin, " TileFlex is infused with self-cleaning nano technology".

All I know is that it goes on glossier and looks clean and new for much longer than other roof coatings. It's also drinking water safe and backed by a manufacturer's 10-year warranty.

The ultimate heat reflective roof coating.

As good as NuFlex and TileFlex are, NXT Cool Zone takes roof paint to a whole other level.

As its name implies, this revolutionary high gloss acrylic is extremely heat-reflective; it dramatically reduces the heat on your roof and in your ceiling and as a result, your living space below.

But the best part is that the heat reflection works well even in dark colours.

Before NXT Cool Zone , if you'd told anyone you were thinking of having your roof repainted in charcoal to keep your home cooler in the blistering Queensland summer heat, they would have dead set thought you were suffering from heat stroke!

However, NXT Cool Zone is available in a range of 36 colours – including dark and rich contemporary colours – and they have been proven to reduce interior house temperatures by between 6 and 10 degrees Celsius.

That means you don't have to sacrifice colour choice in order to have a cooler, more energy-efficient home.

For more information about roof paint and roof coatings, please call 07 3808 0700 and speak to one of our friendly, ever-helpful consultants, or simply click here to contact us.