Your roof is exposed to the harsh Queensland elements all day, everyday.
Although our climate here in Ipswich can be lovely most of the year, the tough climate can deteriorate the paint on your roof over time and it may need to have your roof repainted.
Due to the fact that you have to be on your roof and high off the ground when painting, we recommend hiring a professional roof painter. Roofers have industrial equipment that make the process of painting the roof faster, safer and will lead to a better finish.
Here is an explanation of the process of painting your roof.
Cleaning your roof
The first step is to clean your roof, remove all the leaves, sticks, and dirt. Before you do that, you should make a quick assessment of your roof first.
A roofer will have high pressure cleaners to remove the mould, lichen and algae that often grows on roof, especially on the side of the house that doesn’t get direct sunlight often.
The roofer will also check your roof’s condition first and will advise on any roof repairs that should be made prior to painting to ensure that you get the best out of your investment into your roof restoration.
Repairing any damage on your roof
Damage in the form of cracks, broken tiles, rusting on metals needs to be repaired prior to painting.
Some minor issues can be repaired easily, whilst others may be more extensive, regardless a professional roofer has the skills and equipment to fix them.
A professional roofer would ensure that serious issues are not only fixed but are also under warranty. Roof painting is a factor in roof restoration, they go hand in hand.
Sealing and priming the roof
After cleaning and repairing your roof, your roof needs to be prepared for the application of the roof paint. Depending on your roof type, you will need a primer for an enhanced and brighter paint colour as well as ensuring proper adhesion.
Sealing and priming is an important part of the roof painting process because it is the step that make for the best longevity of your paint.
After applying the primer, it needs to dry completely before moving on to the next step. This usually takes about a couple of hours.
While you can use rollers or paintbrushes, roofers will opt to use airless paint sprayers instead. This will help reduce the time spent on roof painting and get an even paint finish.
Your roofer will cover vents and skylights with plastic to avoid them getting painted.
Safety gear is vital in roof painting, your roofer will wear safety gear such as non-slip shoes, long rubber gloves, masks, goggles, and harness.
Some councils require guard rails therefor your roofer should be able to tell you what is required.
Roof Painting
Finally, the surface is ready to be painted. In choosing the right paint it also depends on your roof type:
- Concrete roof
Although concrete tile roofs are durable, they still need roof restorations once in a while. Commonly, acrylic paint is suitable for roof tiles, or cement as well as masonry surfaces. It provides added strength under tough weather conditions and prevents mould formation.
- Colorbond roof
Some colorbond roof paint has self-priming properties. But you can still use a primer for extra adhesion. It’s preferred to choose a water-based acrylic paint for this roof type. Use a paint sprayer for an even and smoother finish. You can apply several sprays for a satisfactory result.
- Corrugated iron and metal roof
You can also choose an acrylic based paint for these roof types but look for the “for exterior use” tagging. These paints are available in gloss and satin finish. They are specially formulated for easy application, cleaning, same-day recoating, and almost odourless.
Try to choose a lighter shade of paint colour. Light colours can deflect sunlight and keeps the temperatures cooler. This provides additional insulation against a hot climate like the Ipswich summer!
After the primer has dried out, apply the first coating and wait for it to dry off completely. It could take a couple of hours depending on the paint. The roofer will then apply two to three paint coats if you prefer a brighter or bolder paint colour.
Regular roof painting offers several benefits. Aside from a refreshed roof appearance, it also ensures protection and better insulation.
Hiring a professional roofer to paint your roof will ensure your safety, will prevent sub optimal roof restorations which may also impact your insurance.
Roofers can produce work with long-lasting results and can save you money in the long-term.