Skylights are technically translucent sheets that match the profile of the roof sheet and are heavily relied on with industrial buildings and warehouses for natural lighting. The main factors to consider is the material is different from the metal roof sheets itself, so it never gives a perfect lap seal, which over time if the skylight begins to age and lose integrity, that lap becomes a risk to water ingress. 

If skylight sheets are also not installed using the trafficable option of product, it immediately becomes a fall hazard on the roof, and needs to be catered to. This is important for any PCBU with ensuring your roof is compliant and safe according to the WHS act. 

The average skylight lifespan is 10-15 years, with higher grade products lasting more than 20 years. Since the metal roof sheets last longer than this, it is often a requirement for a building to retrofit new skylight sheets into the existing roof system to reduce the risk of water ingress where the skylights begin to fail from age.  Age also reduces the ability for the skylight to allow natural light in, so upgrading skylights can have great benefits to any industrial building. Consider the trafficable products to eliminate the risk of falls and allow for more height safety compliance on the roof.  

Our preferred supplier of skylights is Ampelite, who have a great range of products to choose from for any industrial building's needs. 

Ideal has highly trained and experienced crews for skylight upgrade and replacement on commercial and industrial sites with our industry leading retrofit services. 

For pricing, contact us now.

Roof penetrations are the main source of leaks ongoing for clients, and a big reason is the penetration detail itself is not to industry standards while also lacking ongoing maintenance.

To ensure you minimise risk of water ingress from a penetration, retrofitting back tray flashings are critical to divert the water away from the penetration into neighbouring pans to allow water to drain further to the gutter line. A penetration run through the roof sheet with just a dektite is simply just not enough and often can block the flow of water in the relevant pan. This leads to early corrosion and eventual water ingress when the seal is broken. Water can actually buildup behind the penetration and eventually flood the lap of the sheet if it is not able to drain properly to the gutter.

While the manufacturer specifies a tray flashing to the ridge, it is important to add the additional measure of a dry pan on either side of the penetration if it blocks more than 50% of the pan to allow for relief on either side of the penetration if it floods. This means allow for an extra pan to be covered on either side of the penetration to maximum protection.

Regular ongoing maintenance as per manufacturer's guidelines is also critical to ensure the seal of the dektite and penetration is watertight since exposure to thermal movement and weather conditions can often disrupt the seal leading to water ingress. Preventative maintenance is recommended to be completed every 6 months.

If you are interested in upgrading your penetration details to be more watertight, contact us now.

Did you know that if you don’t wash your roof every six months your warranty will be void! We’ve recently received a letter from BlueScope themselves outlining the importance of roof maintenance.  
 
Why does this matter?
This means that if you experience any issues with your roof, and maintenance has not been routinely performed; it will mean your warranty is void and you and your roof will not be protected by it.
 
Here’s what you need to know:
The letter states, “The paint system on all exterior COLORBOND® steel products and the metallic coating on ZINCALUME® steel are both highly durable and decorative finishes. Simple maintenance of these finishes by regular washing with clean fresh water will enhance the service life of the product and help maintain the appearance. This is particularly true of areas that are not normally exposed to rain (known as “unwashed areas”).
 
“Regular cleaning of COLORBOND® steel or ZINCALUME® steel products in unwashed areas is a requirement of the BlueScope warranty. Details of BlueScope’s maintenance guidelines are published in Technical Bulletin TB-4 “Maintenance of COLORBOND® steel and ZINCALUME® steel” available here. Washing should be done six-monthly as a minimum, or three-monthly in locations such as coastal areas where marine salt spray is prevalent, or in areas where high levels of airborne dust/dirt or industrial fallout occur.
 
“In some cases, maintenance may extend beyond surface washing to include, but not be limited to, the removal of timber, debris and moisture retaining substances; separation from dissimilar metals and other incompatible materials; replacement of corroded fasteners; and/or reparation of the effects of human/animal traffic. When conducted regularly, these maintenance activities assist in removing potentially corrosive influences prior to the initiation of corrosion on COLORBOND® steel or ZINCALUME® steel and help promote extended service life of the product.”  (L. Olsen, BlueScope Product Advice – Maintenance of BlueScope Products, 10 June, 2020)
 
How WE can help YOU:
Our CLEAN+ program is designed specifically for building owners and asset management teams. As a certified roofing contractor and industry leader we deliver at the highest level for any building's roof washing needs while improving the integrity of the roof. 
 
What’s included:
Clean All Roof Areas
All roof areas, including gutters, are cleaned thoroughly with the correct procedure and equipment with a licensed technician. 
 
Water Supply & Safe Removal
Water will be supplied to the roof area and then safely drained, while debris will be safely removed from the roof area and from site. 
 
Written Report
A concise, detailed report will be completed with our achieved tasks and additional findings with photographic evidence.
 
Clients are often surprised to realise their roof area can be quickly covered in debris and require further cleaning shortly after completing roof washing. As the main protecting layer for your building against all elements, it can quickly collect damaging matter.  The main piece of information to take away from this is that in order to fulfil your warranty your roof should be washed six-monthly as a minimum, or three-monthly in locations such as coastal areas where marine salt spray is prevalent, or in areas where high levels of airborne dust/dirt or industrial fallout occur.
 
Using a certified roofing contractor is imperative to avoid further damage to the roof system and to prevent additional leaks through improper use of water and safety equipment. Often third parties cleaning roof areas cause more harm than good. It is also considered working at heights so any personnel cleaning the roof must be licensed.  Take the next step and contact us now for a free quote!

​What is the windiest month in Sydney?
Averaging at 13.8 km/h (8.6 mph), November is the windiest month, whilst March is the calmest at 11.3 km/h (7.0 mph). [2] Clients are often surprised to realise their roof area can be quickly covered in debris and require further cleaning shortly after completing roof washing. As the main protecting layer for your building against all elements, it can quickly collect damaging matter.  It is important to notice when wind has recently been high; although you may not see it – a build of debris could be occurring causing blockage in gutters and drains leading to major drainage issues such as heavy ponding, that otherwise could have been avoided.  High winds can also cause roof components to blow off or become loose leading to future leak areas from caused damage. There also can be cases where mechanical/electrical equipment becomes loose and blows around the roof causing damage leading to a leak.
 
What is the month that hail occurs the most in Sydney?
Hailstorms occur most frequently between October and February (spring and summer) in NSW, with peak activity in November and December. The hail season in Sydney begins 2 months earlier (August to February). However, during the last 14 years there has been a shift to November to March. [3]  For metal roofs – if not taken care of immediately - hail can cause dents in the sheets and chip away at the top layer of paint, causing the life of your metal roof sheets and flashings to end prematurely. Early corrosion can occur in significant dents if ponding occurs, this can cause the paint to fracture and leads to structural weak points within the sheets.  However, metal roofs don't suffer as much as tile roofs. In recent hailstorms, tile roofs have been damaged the most and needed more repairs, this further adds value to why metal roofs are better.
 
What are notable events we have experienced so far this year?
Between 7 and 9 February 2020, the Sydney metropolitan area received its heaviest rain in 30 years due to an east coast low (which is unusual in the summer). The storm brought vast flooding and strong winds that caused commuter chaos and left over 20,000 homes without power.[4] The city recorded around 391.6 mm of rain within those three days, more than three times the average rainfall for February. Thousands of people living in depressed areas, such as those in Narrabeen and southwest of Sydney near Georges River, were told to evacuate due to billowing floodwaters and rising river levels. At least 200 people were rescued by emergency services during the stormy weekend. Warragamba Dam, which was only at 42% in capacity, reached as close to 70% after the deluge.[5][6] The last time more than 300 mm of rain fell in two days in the city was in 1992, in addition to being the wettest four-day period since 1990.[7]
 
In the late evening of 18 February 2020, over 60,000 lightning strikes hit the Sydney area,[8] with wind gust over 100 km/h being recorded in some Sydney suburbs. The storm toppled trees, damaged properties and left tens of thousands of homes without power.[9]
 
What do we know and where to we go from here?

• March through June is the period with the highest amount of rain throughout the year. June is the month with the most rainfall in Sydney, Australia. Rain falls for 12.5 days and accumulates 131.9mm of precipitation. 

 

• November is the windiest month, averaging at 13.8 km/h.

 

• The hail season in Sydney begins 2 months earlier (August to February). However, during the last 14 years there has been a shift to November to March.

 

• Between 7 and 9 February 2020, the Sydney metropolitan area received its heaviest rain in 30 years due to an east coast low, and

 

• In the late evening of 18 February 2020, over 60,000 lightning strikes hit the Sydney area, with wind gust over 100 km/h.

 
Now that you have all this information, you now know the impactful months in which rain, wind and hail activity occur and how they can affect your roof.  You can now prepare your home or property in advance to avoid costly emergency repairs and protect your assets.  Preventative maintenance is the best way to prepare; designed to offer dynamic information for improve forecasting and budgeting while also preventing leaks and emergency repairs.
 
Be proactive and call us right away to ensure the repair costs do not become premium emergency repair costs and your investments stay protected. Our professional team is ready to service you right away and provide answers to any other queries you may have. Call us on 1300 ASSET1 now!


 References

1. https://www.weather-atlas.com/en/australia/sydney-climate#faq
2. http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/cvg/av?p_stn_num=066062&p_prim_element_index=0&p_comp_element_index=0&redraw=null&p_display_type=full_statistics_table&normals_years=1991-2020&tablesizebutt=normal
3. Schuster, S. S., Blong, R. J., & Speer, M. S. (2005). A hail climatology of the greater Sydney area and New South Wales, Australia. International Journal of Climatology, 25(12), 1633-1650. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.1199
4. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/nsw-and-qld-warned-of-lifethreatening-flash-floods/news-story/12c48458453ce5ee00b0c4aa2260ad4f
5. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-51439175
6. https://10daily.com.au/news/australia/a200208dnzwj/nsw-copping-heaviest-rain-since-1990s-and-its-not-stopping-anytime-soon-20200208
7. https://7news.com.au/weather/nsw-weather-state-battered-by-rain-as-power-outages-and-flood-warnings-ensue-c-688433
8. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/sydney-weather-man-killed-trees-felled-power-cut-as-storm-wreaks-havoc-across-nsw/news-story/5f7d0fcd45953c49869a856c3e72786b
9. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-02-19/severe-thunderstorm-hits-sydney-as-wind-gusts-hammer-nsw/11978818

Roof Preventative Maintenance
​Whether you own or maintain a domestic, commercial or industrial property the cost of replacing your roof prematurely is always going to be more than maintaining it. The upkeep of roofs is important and in this article we will dispel some of the myths and discuss major dos and don’ts of roofs.

Inspect Your Roof

To maintain the longevity of your roof and address any problems before they cause more significant structural damage to your building, inspect your roof regularly. Look for anything unusual or irregular, mould, mildew, pooled water or visible damage. It is safer to do this with binoculars than to attempt climbing on your roof, not only is it dangerous but climbing on your roof can damage it.

Do Not Power Wash

A common roof cleaning misconception is that power washers are a good idea. Generally speaking power washers have the potential to cause more damage than they clean. They run at such pressure that they can strip microscopic and transparent protective layers and additionally they can drive water into crevices and fittings. While this might leave your roof looking great, using a pressure washer can create a pathway for future problems to develop.

If you do need to clean your roof, there are specialist roof cleaning products available but it is usually a better idea to hire a qualified professional to make sure the job is done right first time around. The added bonus of hiring a professional is that they can give you an appraisal of any other roofing issues that might need attention.

Remove Debris

Leaves, branches and other debris should be removed from your roof at your earliest convenience. Blocked guttering can cause a multitude of problems including pooling. Pooling in gutters creates excess weight that will wear down on the structural integrity of the roof over time. Additional organic and non-organic debris can accumulate moisture and lead to the propagation of mould. Be particularly wary of valleys in roofing between two joining slopes as debris here can lead to pooling during storms that increases the likelihood of water finding a way through your roof.

Fix Problems Early

The cost of reroofing is usually going to be greater than the cost of repairs unless you have several problems. It is worth considering reroofing if you do have an old roof with lots of problems but it is better to let an expert make this assessment. Some roofing problems can be fixed relatively cheaply, but all roofing problems run the risk of developing into more serious problems if they are not dealt with quickly and efficiently. 

Contact Ideal Roofing to Inspect, Maintain and Repair Your Roof

Learn more about our preventative maintenance program here

We offer a complete range of roofing services and can give you a free quote today. Call us on 1300 ASSET1 or contact us online.

It is a simple fact of life that most people don’t spend a lot of time inspecting their roofs for problems. Even if you do spend a lot of time looking at your roof it’s difficult to see all of it considering so much is above eye level. If you have concerns regarding your roof it is best to have it inspected by a professional, even before a problem may become evident. In this article we will discuss some common types of roof damage and explain why it is important to get any problems addressed quickly.

Pooling water

Pooling water anywhere on your roof is a problem. It should be investigated as soon as possible to avoid the problem propagating to internal problems of water damage.

Punctures and Penetrations

Roofing involves several layers and they are all liable to be damaged by hail, wind and falling debris. Areas of roofing surrounding penetrations, such as air intakes, chimneys and sunlights are particularly prone to damage and should be inspected regularly.

Lack of Maintenance

Unfortunately roofing requires considerably more maintenance and upkeep than most building owners dedicate to the task. Even if you don’t have a problem now, if it has been years since you have performed any roof maintenance it is best to hire a professional to give you peace of mind.

GUTTERING

Gutters should be cleaned regularly for more than just aesthetic reasons. Clogged guttering can be a fire risk but more commonly, it creates undue stress on the edge of your roof. It causes the gutters to drain slowly, leads to contamination of water tanks with organic residues.

TREES

Overhanging trees can cause significant damage to roofs. Not only do limbs pose the problem of potentially falling and causing significant damage during a storm but continual rubbing can loosen roof components or destroy protective surface coatings. If you are concerned about any overhanging trees you should contact a qualified arborist to perform a thorough inspection.

PESTS

Birds, possums, rats, mice and termites can all cause significant damage to internal and external structures. If you are concerned about any of these pests talk to an expert about having them relocated or dealt with.

Don’t let Small Problems Grow

Roofing problems are not going to fix themselves. Indeed, they are one problem best considered by the age old adage of a stitch in time saves nine. Any small concern or visible damage should be investigated by a qualified professional before the problem snowballs. A small repair is always going to be cheaper than having a whole roof replaced.

Contact Ideal Roofing to Fix Your Roof
​
Ideal Asset Maintenance are roof maintenance professionals based in Sydney. With more than 40 years of experience working in industrial, commercial and domestic roofing and are experts at installing, servicing, fixing and maintaining roofs. Though we specialise in metal roofing we have plenty of experience servicing other materials too. If you need your roof fixed in Sydney call us today on 1300 277 381 or contact us online.