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FAQ
Please see below all of our FAQs on New Metal Roofs, New Tile Roofs, Metal & Tile Roof Maintenance & Repairs, Gutters & Downpipes, Skylights, Strata & Commercial and Insurance.
New Metal Roofs
1. What is COLORBOND® steel?
COLORBOND® steel combines the corrosion resistance of a ZINCALUME® steel base with a durable, oven baked paint finish. Find out more on How It Is Made.
2. What is the warranty on Colorbond roofing sheets?
For COLORBOND® steel and ZINCALUME® steel, BlueScope Steel offers a warranty against corrosion to perforation by weathering in the natural elements for a period of up to 36 years* from the date of installation. BlueScope Steel also warrants that the paint system on COLORBOND® steel will not flake or peel due to natural weathering for a period of up to 20 years* from the date of installation.
The 36 year* COLORBOND® steel and ZINCALUME® steel for Roofing Warranty only applies providing all of the following conditions are met:
– Installed pitch of the roof is equal to or greater than 5 degrees above the horizontal.
– The roof is fully lined and does not contain exposed eaves or other areas sheltered or unwashed by natural rainfall.
– The roof is located more than 5km from salt water.
– All fasteners used for fixing the product to be in accordance with BlueScope Steel recommendations and comply with Australian Standard AS3566: Class 4 where applicable.
* Warranty terms and conditions apply. Warranties are not available for all products and applications. The duration and terms and conditions of available warranties vary according to product use and application.
3. Will Colorbond Fade?
All coloured materials will change colour when exposed to UV light – the paint finish on your car, the clothes on your line, and so on. When it comes to steel building materials, the extent of colour change is influenced by factors such as the colour itself, the aspect, the design of the structure and the environment. Dark colours are inherently prone to more noticeable colour change than lighter colours. Individual perceptions also come into play. How you see colour can differ greatly to someone else.
4. How does a COLORBOND® steel roof affect the temperature inside my building? Can it save me money on heating and cooling costs?
Using thermally efficient roofing materials like COLORBOND® steel can help reduce your cooling and heating costs. In summer, a lightweight insulated roof made from COLORBOND® steel can assist in minimising the amount of heat radiated into your home at night. That’s because COLORBOND® steel has a low thermal mass, so it cools down fast once the sun is off it.
In winter the same steel roof, properly insulated, helps keep the heat inside. Building Regulations for your area will prescribe the level of insulation you will require. The choice of colour can also influence thermal performance. Lighter colours, in particular, radiate less heat during summer. Building regulations may allow you to install less insulation if you use lighter colours in warm climates.
5. Can hail damage affect the life of my roof?
Generally, a metal roof will stand up well to hail storms. The roof sheeting will absorb the energy of the hailstone and remain structurally sound. However, indentations may occur along with loss of the paint topcoat.
In most cases indentations from hailstones do not affect the life of a COLORBOND® steel roof. The only causes of concern will arise from: – Low pitch roofs with significant hail indentations in the pans. This can lead to ponding and dirt accumulation, which may promote corrosion.
– Low pitch roofs where sheet overlaps have been significantly deformed. The anti-capillary effect can be lost and water could be drawn into the sheet lap, resulting in corrosion.
In the event of ponding due to indentations or damage to sheet overlaps, the affected sheets should be replaced as soon as practicable to maintain the life of the roof. Loss of the paint topcoat arising from impact of hail stones will be an aesthetic issue only and will have no appreciable effect on the corrosion performance of the COLORBOND® steel roof.
6. What causes my roof to creak and how can I stop it?
Temperature variations can cause pierce fixed metal roof sheeting to expand and contract, sometimes resulting in roof noise. This is more likely during rapid changes in the temperature caused by such things as heat from the morning sun, afternoon cooling, passing clouds or gusts of wind. What’s the technical explanation? When movement is suppressed the stress in the sheet builds up and may exceed the frictional restraint. Energy is then released as noise associated with sheet movement. The level of noise depends on the frictional restraint. For most roofs there may be some minor creaking. However, when there is excessive thermal movement and poor installation practice, frictional forces can build up to create loud, sharp cracking noises. Although noise problems are rare, they are usually associated with dark coloured roofs fastened directly to timber. This is due to the friction characteristics of the steel-timber interface (increased noise if the timber is wet) and the fact that darker coloured sheeting is subject to greater expansion.
It’s been found that the risk of this type of noise can be reduced by:
– Using an insulation blanket with sarking between the sheeting and timber supports (this also provides heat insulation, a vapour barrier and reduces rain noise).
– Using steel battens to support the sheeting.
– Using a reflective foil laminate between the sheeting and timber supports (this also provides heat insulation and a vapour barrier).
7. Won’t a steel roof make my house too hot?
No. In summer a lightweight roof made from COLORBOND® steel or ZINCALUME® steel causes less heat to be radiated into your home because it cools down faster at night. And in winter, the same steel roof, properly insulated, helps keep the heat inside. This can result in reduced cooling and heating costs.
8. Can I dampen the sound of rain falling on my roof?
Many people enjoy the sound of rain falling on their steel roof. They feel more attuned to nature, or it brings back fond memories of childhood. For those who don’t, rain noise can be reduced by using an insulating blanket. This is placed directly under the roof sheeting to dampen sound vibrations, reducing noise and making for a peaceful environment inside.
9. Can I get COLORBOND® steel with colour on both sides to use in my patio or pergola?
Some manufacturers do sell roof sheeting made from COLORBOND® steel with a top coat on both sides. However, colours and styles may be limited and you should confirm availability with your supplier.
10. How do I insulate my roof made from COLORBOND® steel?
COLORBOND® steel and ZINCALUME® steel are thermally efficient roofing materials, radiating less heat into your home as they cool down faster at night. Lighter coloured roofs, irrespective of material, reflect more heat than darker shades. The result of this being less heat available to be radiated into your home. To reduce the transmission of heat into a building, insulation can be easily incorporated during the installation of the steel roof sheeting.
There are two types of insulation commonly used during the installation of steel roof sheeting. They are:
– Reflective foil, commonly referred to as ‘sarking’:
Reflective foil laminates which are commonly used to provide heat insulation under roof sheeting can serve a dual function as a vapour barrier, simply by thoroughly sealing the foil overlaps with moisture impervious adhesive tapes. The laps should be about 100mm and kept in close contact when positioning the laminate so the tape can be readily applied. The laminate must be allowed to drape between the roof supports so the cold temperature of the roof sheeting will not be transmitted to the laminate by contact. If this were to happen condensation could form on the underside of the laminate and may drip into the ceiling space.
– Combined foil and glass/wool insulation blanket:
This blanket should be installed over the battens with the glass/wool insulation facing up in temperate zones and facing down in tropical zones. For advice appropriate to your area, please phone BlueScope Steel Direct on 1800 022 999. There should be no sagging between battens to avoid air spaces between the fibreglass and the underside of the roof sheeting.
This information is intended as a guide only.
New Tile Roofs
1. Will I need council approval to replace my roof?
No, council approval is not needed to replace a roof as long as there are no structural changes to the building and you do not live in a heritage listed area.
2. Will I need to vacate my premises while the roof is being replaced?
No, there is no need to vacate whilst your roof is being replaced.
3. Are you licensed and insured?
Yes, Ivy Roofing – The roofing specialists are fully licensed and insured. Certificates of currency may be viewed before any work order is signed and are available on request.
4. How long do tile roofs really last?
We don’t know. Clay tile roofs date back to Neolithic China, and many ancient structures with clay tile roofs still exist. And, in Europe and Asia, roof tiles have been the primary roofing product for hundreds of years. Both concrete and clay tile roofing systems, when installed properly, withstand weather conditions that begin to deteriorate other roofs the day they are installed. In general, a tile roof – concrete or clay – can reasonably be expected to outlast the building it protects.
5. Do concrete tiles get stronger with age?
Yes. Unlike other materials, such as metal, which may rust corrode, warp, flake, peel and dent over time, concrete tiles gradually improve in strength over several decades. This is caused by a hydration reaction between the water and cement.
6. When concrete tiles absorb water, can the increased weight cause strain on the roof structure?
No. Even in the most extreme saturation tests, the added weight of water absorbed by concrete tiles is only a maximum of 10%, and in real-world practice much less at around 5%. Put simply: it’s no big deal.
7. Will moss and lichen eat into the tiles over time?
No. Although moss can build up on concrete tiles if there is excessive moisture, the integrity of the concrete itself will not be eroded.
8. Do I need a roof maintenance inspection?
The roof of your building is one of its most important components, so you can’t afford to let it fall into disrepair. A regular inspection will ensure that any roof maintenance can be carried out before it has the potential to cause irreversible damage. A specialist will take a closer look at all the aspects of your roof, before recommending any work that needs to be undertaken.
9. How do I know it is time for a tiled roof repair?
There are several signs that you need to look out for if you suspect that a tiled roof repair might be necessary. Damp areas or leaks inside your building suggest that there could be a problem with the roof. It’s also not uncommon for tiles to become dislodged or fall off entirely, especially in bad weather. Don’t delay in carrying out roof repairs, as it could lead to further damage in the future.
Fun Fact:
TERRACOTTA – HANDCRAFTED AND COLOUR NEVER FADES
Terracotta is crafted from clay grounded from the earth. There’s a richness and depth of colour with terracotta so it will never fade, ensuring the beauty, value and integrity of your home is preserved for decades to come.
Terracotta has been used for almost six thousand years and recently we found the 8th Wonder of the World, The Terracotta Army in China, which is over 2000 years old and immaculately preserved. The proven heritage and enduring beauty is why the industry chooses to put Terracotta on their own homes.
If you respect the materials you surround yourself with and are looking to lower your footprint on the earth, you can feel good knowing you’re making the right decision with Terracotta. The thermal properties, breathability, less mould, noise control, colour longevity, durability and low-maintenance properties will add immense value to your home.
Metal & Tile Roof Maintenance & Repairs
1. What is a make safe?
A make safe is a temporary repair of a roof leak and maybe as simple as changing a tile or there may be further works required for permeant rectification. Included in this service is:
• Full inspection of the leak area and roof.
• Rectification on the day (if possible).
• If we are unable to complete a full repair on the day, we will do all temporary repairs that we can and provide you with a quote for what is remaining. With your quote you will also receive photos of the temporary works and all remaining works as well as maintenance found. A satellite map showing the require repairs and maintenance will also be provided.
• We also provide a separate quote for any recommended maintenance.
2. What is bedding and pointing?
Tiles (as you may or may not know) interlock together. This makes them very strong, supportive and allows the roof to remain uniform and look neat and tidy. However, ridge caps rest over the tiles so there they need something to help ‘glue them down’. The first step in the process is bedding; a mixture of sand and cement that provides a strong base to set the ridge caps in prior to pointing.
The bedding, however, isn’t where it ends. A flexible ‘pointing’ agent is then applied which can ‘move’ with the roof. This allows it to be more flexible, as the name implies, and not crack due to inclement weather, hail stones, traversing the roof, etc. Old pointing on a roof -especially if it pre-dates flexible pointing- can not only detract from the look of your home, it can be dangerous, as pieces of cement-like material can slide off the roof after becoming dislodged.
Rebedding and repointing is important maintenance you should consider periodically. How often really does depend on the quality of the work that was previously performed.
3. Do I need a roof maintenance inspection?
The roof of your building is one of its most important components so you can’t afford to let it fall into disrepair. A regular inspection will ensure that any roof maintenance can be carried out before it has potential to cause irreversible damage.
A Specialist will take a closer look at all aspects of your roof before commencing any works that need to be undertaken.
4. How do I know when it is time for a tiled roof repair?
There are several signs that you need to look out for if you suspect that a tiled roof repair might be necessary. Damp areas or leaks inside your commercial building suggest that there could be a problem with the roof. It’s also not uncommon for tiles to become dislodged or fall off entirely, especially in bad weather. Don’t delay in carrying out roof repairs, as it could lead to further damage in the future.
5. My building has a metal roof. Can it still be repaired?
Metal roof repairs are relatively common as they avoid the need for a complete replacement. This can at times be a complex task, which is why it should be left to the professionals. Corrosion management prevention strategies may need to be used, depending on the severity of the damage. It’s also possible that penetration sealing and barrier coating systems are implemented to make sure your building roof repair stands the test of time.
6. How long should my roof last?
The lifespan of a roof will depend on a variety of factors, these include the material it is made from and the quality of the products used to construct it. However, no roof will last forever, which is why the services of a roof repairer are so important. They will be able to assess the standard of your roof and make recommendations as to how its lifespan can be extended.
7. Do tiled roofs require ongoing maintenance?
By regularly maintaining your roof you will go a long way to preventing any major problems occurring.
8. Are roof inspections necessary?
Every year you should have your roof checked by an expert tradesperson.
9. I have a leaking roof. What should I do?
Leaks are most often confined to small areas and usually occur as a result of one or more of the following problems:
a. Blocked gutters (including valley gutters) and downpipes. These should be cleaned out.
b. Cracked or broken cement mortar bedding to the ridge or hip capping. Capping should be re-bedded or re-pointed.
c. Cracked or broken roof tiles. Individual roof tiles should be replaced.
d. Roof tiles displaced. Displaced tiles should be put back in their proper position.
e. Blocked drainage channels under the ‘sidelaps’ of individual tiles. Any build up of dirt or debris should be removed.
f. Flashings blocked, damaged or displaced. These problems should be corrected.
If your roof has a leak, it is always best to employ an expert tradesperson to undertake the work for you as accessing and walking on roofs can be dangerous.
10. What are the white marks on my roof? How can they be removed?
Occasionally the natural salts within a concrete tile can migrate to the surface as a whitish grey discolouration called efflorescence or ‘bloom’. This has no effect on the performance of the tile. Although common to many concrete products, efflorescence does not always occur and should disappear naturally over time.
11. Do I have to replace my entire roof if it leaks?
It depends. If the leak is simply caused by faulty flashing or a small section of roof that has been damaged then you will most likely only need to repair the source of the leak. If, however, the entire roofing system has failed as result of poor installation or subpar materials, a new roof installation is appropriate and often necessary.
Gutters & Downpipes
1. How often should I get my gutters cleaned?
It is a smart idea to clean your gutters every time you experience severe weather conditions, but if you can’t commit to that then aim for at least once a year. Like roof inspections, gutter maintenance is something that you can easily outsource to the professionals, like us here at Ivy Roofing. We’ve been installing internal box gutters and external gutters around Sydney for over 20+ years and know how to repair or replace gutters that have rusted, started leaking, been poorly installed or are suffering from general wear and tear.
2. Are there different styles of gutters?
Yes there are different styles of gutters and leaders. The average style on a home is a box style type of gutter and leader. This is referred to as K-style. There are other round types called half round gutters. Gutters that are built into the home/building are referred to as built-in or yankee gutters.
3. Why would the wood behind my gutters rot?
Fascia boards (wood behind gutter) usually rot due to a lack of gutter cleaning and water overflowing over the back of the gutter. In rare cases this wood can rot due to the roof being too short in areas where the rainwater is not making it into the gutter and constantly leaks behind the gutter.
4. What happens if the wood behind my gutters is rotted?
If the wood or fascia board, which is the proper name, is rotted it can simply be replaced. We will cut out the rotted section and simply install a new section of same sized wood.
5. How can you tell if I need new gutters?
There are many reasons gutters need replacement which include, but are not limited to, sagging, off-pitch, crushed, pitted, crushed and wind/storm damage. If we clean your gutters, we inspect all gutters and leaders for any repairs or replacements, as well as underground drainage for any clogs. If we do not clean your gutters, you can arrange a mutually convenient time to have one of our professionals meet you for an overall visual inspection.
6. Do I need to be home for my installation?
No, you do not need to be home for the gutters to be installed. Our specialists will have your new gutters up in no time. We do not even need your electricity; we have generators inside our trucks that are virtual warehouses on wheels.
7. Do you offer leaf protection?
Yes, we offer many different kinds of leaf protection, however, our professional experience has shown that most of the systems do not work as well as they claim. The best way to avoid gutter clogs is to have them cleaned on a regular basis. Even with these systems we still recommend cleaning the gutters as they also become clogged, even though they claim not to.
Skylights
1. What is the installation pitch for the VSE Skylight?
The VSE must be installed between 15 & 90 degrees. If your roof pitch is less than 15 degrees, you must use a custom flashing kit with a pitch adapter.
2. Why is roof pitch important for skylight installations?
Our flashing kits are engineered with specific pitch requirements. The roof pitch is important because it ensures that the roof has the proper slope to effectively drain water off of both the flashing and the skylight.
3. What is the frame out size for this Skylight?
The frame out size is the width and height of the Skylight. The clearance between rafters must be at least width of the Skylight, battens are then placed at a distance equal to the height of the Skylight.
4. Can electric skylights be turned and installed sideways?
Electric skylights cannot be installed sideways, however a ‘landscape’ size is available (S01 size: 1140×700).
5. What flashing do I use to group multiple skylights together?
VELUX COMBI-FLASHING is engineered for this purpose. However, the pitch of the roof must be 15° or greater.
6. What glazing does the VSE come in?
The VSE comes standard with our ‘High Performance’ glazing. This glazing provides a laminated internal pane to meet Australian Standard AS 1288, which is required for skylights installed greater than 3m above floor level. This glazing also comes with NEAT™ coating to reduce cleaning frequency.
7. Can I apply a film or tint to the glass?
VELUX does not recommend the addition of any store-bought film to the glass of our skylights. The addition of store-bought film or tint will void the warranty on the glass. However, our glass is manufactured with a LoE coating and injected with Argon gas, making our skylights very energy efficient. In addition, we also offer several blind options that can be added to our skylights and roof windows to regulate light and heat.
8. Are insect screens available for the electric skylight?
Yes, insect screens are included with openable skylights.
9. What colour is the VSE?
All current skylights have an exterior neutral grey colour that blends well with most roofing materials (similar to COLORBOND ironstone grey).
10. Are blinds available for the VSE?
Yes, blinds are available for new VSE Skylights. If you have an existing Skylight (manufactured prior to April 2010) please contact VELUX with your product code to see if blinds are still available.
11. What is the installation pitch for the VS Skylight?
The VS must be installed between 15 & 90 degrees. If your roof pitch is less than 15 degrees, you must use a custom flashing kit with a pitch adapter.
Strata & Commercial
1. What is a make safe?
A make safe is a temporary repair of a roof leak and may be as simple as changing a tile, or there may be further works required for permanent rectification.
Included in this service is:
• Full inspection of the leak area and roof.
• Rectification on the day (if possible).
• If we are unable to complete a full repair on the day, we will do all temporary repairs that we can and provide you with a quote for what is remaining. With your quote you will also receive photos of the temporary works and all remaining works as well as maintenance found. A satellite map showing the required repairs and maintenance will also be provided.
• We also provide a separate quote for any recommended maintenance.
2. How long does it take to get a quote?
Quote times vary depending on the scope of works to be done. Most maintenance and make safe works will be returned within 48 hrs. More complex quotes may require material prices and further site visits, which will extend the response times. If you are waiting for a quote, please contact our friendly team on 02 9674 4556 to get an update.
3. Do you install harness points and safety access ladder brackets?
Defiantly. Ivy Roofing, the roofing specialists can supply and install all safety systems to both metal and tile roofs. We also supply site maps and certification certificates.
4. Do you install VeLux skylights and sky domes?
Yes, we can supply and install the latest VeLux & Skydome Skylights available on the market. We also offer dome replacement and flashing maintenance.
5. Are we able to get a roof inspection report?
Yes. Knowing exactly what condition your commercial or strata roof is in isn’t always easy, which is why we recommend an inspection report – a thorough inspection of all the components of your roof, including but not limited to roof coverings, fixtures and fittings, flashings and cappings, penetrations, skylights, gutters and down pipes, insulation and drainage. Photos and an aerial map are also provided to indicate problem areas to make the descriptions easier to understand. You will be provided with an explanation of all defects, corrective action required and the cost of the corrective action, or costings for replacement.
6. Who do I speak to when I have a question?
You can call our friendly team on 02 9674 4556 from 8am-5pm Monday to Friday.
7. Where do I send a work order?
Please send all work orders to info@roofing.com.au and one of our friendly team members will contact you so you can be guaranteed we are handling it for you.
8. Where do I send remittance advice?
Please send all remittances to our friendly accounts team at ivycontractorsfinance@gmail.com.
9. How are jobs booked in?
Once a request has been sent it follows the sequence below:
a. We will confirm receipt of your job by reply email.
b. Your request is then entered into our system and the onsite contact is advised by text.
c. We then contact the onsite contact and organise a mutually agreeable time for the inspection or repair.
d. Once this time has been confirmed with the onsite contact, we send a text confirmation to them and an email confirmation to the strata manager who issued the request.
e. On the day of attendance our tradesman will send a message to the onsite contact, advising when they are on their way and when they expect to arrive.
f. Once the job has been completed, our friendly team will email either a quote or an invoice with the corresponding photos. We will also contact the manager by phone to confirm our email has been received.
10. I have an emergency. Can you help?
Yes, we have a dedicated call team and rapid response tradesman who can be sent to site for make safe and leak investigation.
11. Do you install gutters and down pipes.
Yes, Ivy Roofing can provide both maintenance and gutter and down pipe replacements for all building types including box gutters for commercial buildings.
Insurance
1. Why is Ivy Roofing here today?
Our Repair Assessor will:
a. Assess the damage to your home.
b. Report on what has caused the damage to your home.
c. Discuss and agree on the scope of repairs with you.
d. Provide the scope of repairs to our Repair Service Team so repairs to your home can commence.
2. What can I do to help?
Help us help you. No one knows your home better than you do! You may know the source to match materials or what the colour of paint on your damaged wall is, any information you have often helps.
3. What will happen next?
If your insurance company approves your works our repair service team will call you to:
a. Book in the tradespeople or suppliers to undertake the repairs to your home during normal business hours.
b. Assist you with repair materials selection and answer any questions you may have.
c. Ivy Roofing will repair your home subject to your insurance policy coverage. We can also offer advice and quotes on additional maintenance issues, if required.
4. Will the replacement materials match?
Ivy Roofing will make all reasonable efforts to match your existing materials and or finishes. In some instances, an exact match may not be possible as the material may no longer be available. Our repair service team will discuss the available options with you.
5. When will the repairs start and how long will they take?
We will endeavour to start and complete your repairs as soon as possible, however, every home is different and sometimes repairs are delayed whilst matching materials are sourced. Our repair service team will advise you of any anticipated delay or any maintenance that you need to complete prior to works commencing.
6. Will the repairs be done correctly?
Yes. Ivy Roofing is passionately committed to repairing your home properly, using first quality materials, installed by our experienced tradespeople. If you have any concerns at all call our office immediately on 02 9674 4556.
7. The assessment said I have maintenance issues on my roof! Can you provide me with a quote?
Yes! An experienced specialist will assess the scope of works required and give you a complete quote. Please call our office on 02 9674 4556 for more information.
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