Common Iron Roofing Problems for New Homeowners
When you’ve just bought a new home, there are lots of plates to spin: mortgage, insurance, not to mention the time you may need to reserve for your career and family. Dealing with unforeseen issues quickly and efficiently can be stressful, but necessary, and there will always be something unexpected. No matter how organised you are, house ownership has hidden costs and pitfalls unique to your situation. The investment will be well worth it, but the effort required in a new home can quickly overtake you if you’re not careful.
Roofing may seem like just another area of the project as a whole but, when you think about it, it’s really the most important area. It’s protecting everything else from the most primal and elemental force working against you: the weather. In this blog, we’re going to look at some common problems with iron roofing that new homeowners tend to miss, and provide a checklist to inform your next steps while avoiding spending too much time or money.
Why you should keep an eye on iron roofing
Despite some persistent rumours about iron roofing, it’s one of the best options on the market. If you’ve bought a house with iron roofing already installed, you’ll find that it’s relatively easy to maintain, durable, and environmentally friendly. But to ensure your roof will last for decades, it’s important to be aware of the warning signs.
New homeowners would be wise to keep a close eye on their roofing – unless specifically brought up in the sales process, you may not be aware of how old the roof is compared to the house, and therefore unaware of when it last had work done.
Leaks
When you’re noticing leaks, you definitely have a problem. Poor installation can cause gaps or punctures in iron roofing, making leaks more likely to occur. When you notice a leak, even if it’s not a drastic problem, it needs to be dealt with immediately, as leaks worsen quickly over time. You’ll save yourself weeks of stress and a lot of money by dealing with it earlier rather than later.
If a puncture or tear has developed, a contractor might have used caulking to seal the gap. Unfortunately, as metal roofing is designed to move, caulking may not permanently fix the problem. Another cause of leaks is ponding: if the installation has been done poorly, water is liable to collect in certain parts of the roof and put it under excess weight.
Loose roofing
The second-most common problem that results from poor installation is loose roofing causing unnecessary damage. If your iron roof has improperly fastened flashing, open seams can allow wind to travel beneath the roof, causing it to lift away and cause destruction where it lands. If you weren’t involved during the installation of the roof, then it’s worth double-checking the security of the flashing to avoid costlier work later down the line.
What you can do
Luckily, iron roofing doesn’t need to be fraught with problems. The team at Paul Milne are Wellington’s roofing experts – we’re experienced in securing roofing against Windy Wellington’s climate, and our repairs can save you from costly re-roofing from scratch. Download our iron roofing checklist here to receive a comprehensive guide to checking your roof for damage or potential issues.
