roof restoration experiences?

[George]

I need to do something about my roof (large number of broken tiles, all are deglazed and the pointing is crumbling). It is not actually leaking but it is not good.

Does anyone have any experience with roof restorations on concrete tiles. The general process is to replace cracked tiles, re-bed and re-point ridge capping, high pressure clean whole roof and then apply a proprietry coating (basically a special paint applied by sprayer). Various warranties and longevities are claimed by the companies involved.

I was not impressed with the sales tactics of the well known roof restoration company that inspected and quoted (they won't actually leave you with a written quote and want you to sign a contract on the spot) I have also heard mixed results about how long such a coating lasts.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
George

[DaveInOz]

I found the high pressure sales of the two leading companies really annoyed me, plus their warrenties are not as good as some.
By which I mean they will only warranty work they do, so they demand to re do it all. Other companies will do only what they believe is required and warranty the whole roof (basically warranty their judgement that parts didn't need repointing etc).

Price for the big 2 companies is really bad, hence high pressure sales, if you shop around you will find most small companies will quote 2/3 of teh big 2's final price (inc discounts and sticking a stupid sign in your garden)

Don't be pushed into anything.

The thing to check is what type of sealant the smaller companies are useing. Beware anyone too cheap, they may be only painting your roof.

Last thing is get them to seal any spare tiles you have, or to supply and seal some spare tiles, so you have the correct colour replacements (as part of the quote).

the more quotes you get the more cofidant you will become as to the correct price for the job and make an informed decision.

[Baz]

Hi George,
Had my roof restored about 8 years ago by one of those well known company's, after I had seen what they done work wise and the time spent I was not that happy and wished that I had spent the extra and replaced the tiles with colourbond. Last year I was up on the roof cleaning the flue and noticed some red (my tiles are black) showing through , the tiles they used to replace the brocken ones were red and the paint had come off. I contacted the company and they came and inspected the roof and told me the roof needed repainting and that they would contact me when that was to happen, 6 months later and quiet a few phone calls later the roof has been resprayed. I still wish I had paid the extra for a colourbond roof.
Cheers
Barry

[Reno8ter]

Have you thought of painting the roof yourself...it's not rocket science....I cleaned my roof with broom and bleach then high pressure cleaner..hired a airless spray gun and painted using solarguard type paint. 5 years later still looks better than some from the professional companies....cost me about $400 to hire everything and paint and beer for helpers!!

[Jacksin]

A friend had her roof 'resealed' 7 years ago which is now peeling badly. She is in a quandary about what to do. If she gets it re-done, will the pressure cleaning remove all the peeling paint leaving the surface sound for the new coating? She thinks she should have initially retiled instead.

[Sturdee]

I've had my concrete tiled roof done about 10 years ago. Not by one of the majors but a smaller company. I got a good price and got great service.

They did not pressure me into signing on the spot, I paid only a holding deposit of $ 20.00 until the roof was done and they turned up as arranged. They replace broken tiles (with my own), repointed everything, cleaned the roof and sealed it with a sealing coat and two days later finished it with a final colour coat. They also did about 30 spare tiles (again my own) as future spares.

I did take time of from work to supervise and check to make sure they did it correctly and that was well worth it. I suppose I could have done it my self but it is a very large roof and the back part is 2 stories high and I don't fancy working that high. Better let an expert work that high.

Peter.

[petemck]

I was quoted nearly $5200 for a 10x15 M house by a big co. a couple of months ago....for those $$$ I'd rather put on a new colourbond roof, or do it myself & spend the change on lager....
Pete McK

[paullmichelle]

I'm a qualified Roof Tiler and have been doing Restoration work for almost 20 years now.
George, as for your question, try and avoid the big companies if you can.
They have large overheads, their salemen are on very high commisions, and having done a coulple of roofs for them in my quieter times, the way they want a roof restored is not of very high standards. They mostly train any average jo-blo of the street that has no idea about roof tiling.
If you can, get someone like myself, that's a qualified tiler and has their own small business. Always ask for a list of names and addresses of jobs they have completed, and not one's they have done within the last 12 months. Also if good quality coatings are used with proper preperation, it should last 10-15 years. The reasonably new flexible pointing we use for the ridge caps now is a lot better than the old motar mix.

Jacksin, as for your friend, usually most of the old coating will not be removed, but anything that does not come of with proper pressure washing can stay their, as long as a good sealer/primer is used before the top coatings.

If anybody else has any queries about Roof Restoration, you are welcome to email me at: [email protected]

[Kev Y.]

I had my roof repainted just be fore christmas, cost me a bit bit at th etime I felt it was worth it.

HOWEVER I contacted the company, They didnt contact me.

I have had to call them back for a few bits and pieces, and had prompt attention to my calls, this could just be due to the fact they are relativly "local".

In hind sight, I should have saved a bit more and put colourbond on the roof, but atleast now I have (on paper) a 15 year warranty on the roof. I may replace the whole roof in the next few years, but I have for now a waterproof/weather proof barrier between the inside and the outside:)

[Sturdee]

I've had my concrete tiled roof done about 10 years ago. Not by one of the majors but a smaller company. I got a good price and got great service.

Peter.

Further to this post recently I found my original invoice and I can give some more details.

It was done in 1994, which makes it 11.5 years ago and so far I'm happy with it.

It was done by Weatherguard industries using a coloured ceramix coating.

A search of the net shows the following link http://users.atnet.net.au/ceramix/default.htm which although has a slight name change and different street number and phone number is I think the same company and using the same process and roof covering.

The total amount was $ 3500 with a deposit of $ 350 and balance on completion. I have a large roof and the price was much better than from the majors.

I had no complaints then and still haven't.

Peter.

[Kerryv]

Hi everyone, I love this site!

I have recently received a couple of quotes for painting and restoring my cement tile roof as well as replacing the gutters. I have had three different opinions on the Nutech paint, Regent paint and Premier Topcoat paint. They all claim to be better than each other. Is there much of a difference? Does anyone know which is best or does it all come down to preparation, primer, sealant and number of coats? Should the job last for 7 years or 15 years like some companies are claiming?

Someone on this site recommended a company called Weatherguard but it seems like they may have gone out of business as there was no answer when I tried to call them. Does anyone have anyone else they can recommend?

Thanks a lot

Kerry :)

[paullmichelle]

Hi, I will talk to you about it over the next few days. Too busy at the moment. I've my own restoration business for over 20 years.
I will be able to advise you best, or if your not in an urgent hurry, could do a much better job for you.

Chat soon.

[Kerryv]

Thanks Paul, any advice would be fantastic.

Thanks!

Kerry

[paullmichelle]

Kerry, I use Nutech paint, but your right, it more comes down to preparation and applications of the coatings.
You will pay alot more for your restoration through one of the larger companies, bigger overheads, salesmen ect., but mostly just a big rip off.
I've done a couple of jobs for them in the past and the quality of the work they require is well under my standards.
I suggest you try and use a smaller company or tradesman. A recommendation is always good.
I could do your roof for you but I'm booked out til early next year.
If you wanted to send some pics of your roof I could give you an idea on what it should cost. [email protected]
You should not be paying any more than $2000-3000 for an average house roof and that will be for a top quality complete restoration. Ridges, valleys, tiles, cleaning and painting ect:.
As for how long it will last, I've been past roofs that I restored 15+ years ago and they still look pretty good. As long as it's done properly.

Please reply Kerry if you have any other questions and I'll answer them the best I can.
Good luck, and like I said, if you are willing to wait for a while I would be happy to do your roof for you.

Paull
P & M Roofing

[Kerryv]

Hi Paul, thanks for your advice. I am wanting to get my roof restored quite quickly so will have to go with someone else.

I have received a couple of quotes now and am probably going to go with a company called Roof Recyclers. Their quote was $1100.00 less than the first two quotes I got. The quote is $3400.00 inc GST and this includes repointing, replacement of valley, downpipes, pressure cleaning and painting the cement tiles and also includes complete Colorbond gutters to the whole house. He said he will put one coat of sealer and 3 coats of Regent ultra. I have to have the companies sign out the front for a couple of weeks which is fine.

Do you think this sounds ok? On their written quote they have a Master Contractors logo. Is there anything such as Master Contractors? I have ony heard of Master Builders.

Thanks

Kerry

[namtrak]

Personally I wouldn't throw good money after bad. How old is your roof? What condition are the tiles in?

We had concrete tiles on the roof, which were about 50 years old. There were mutliple problems.

The concrete held water and besides making the roof itself extremely heavy, it developed a predisposition towards leaking.

The overlapping lip of the tile (the piece you walk on) had worn down on most of the tiles to around 5mm or less. This meant that the tiles had become eggshell brittle, and repairing them became nonsensical. Every second tile you walked on cracked.

It was nigh on impossible to find matching tiles for the profile I needed. The newer tiles were all longer, wider or of a different shape all together.

Eventually (after a year of tarp roof) we just switched to Colorbond - no mucking around. We did try and stall until the renos were done, but the roof deteriorated beyond tarp help.

My advice - Colorbond.

[Kerryv]

Thanks for your ideas Namtrak.

I had a preinspection report done by the Archicentre when I first bought my house and the guy said the cement tiles were in good condition with only a bit of moisture underneath them when they were lifted which was normal. He suggested having the roof painted if I wanted to improve the appearance.

I love the look of Colorbond but probably can't justify the $10,000 or so that it would cost me to do the roof and gutters. The roof painting guys told me my tiles were in good condition also and that I would only be replacing the roof with Colorbond for looks only and so why do it. Not sure if they make more money from painting roofs than replacing with Colorbond. Maybe... One of them also said that it is easier to extend if the roof is tiles compared to Colorbond which is cut to size and would have to be replaced. Would you agree with this?

Anyway only about 5 tiles will need to be replaced in the restoration. Sounds like your tiles had deteriorated a lot more than mine but my tiles are about 50 years old too so not sure why.

Thanks

Kerry

[namtrak]

I couldn't really say about the ease of extending with a colorbond roof as opposed to a tile roof. I suspect they are probably right. We will need to cut iron off the roof, which we will lose and not be able to reuse - about 60 sqm of iron - this wouldnt be the case with a tile roof (assuming your careful) And yes, you would be looking at around $10,000.

To check the quality of the tiles, lift one (if you can without drama) and check the thickness of the lip at the top - the bit that sits on the tile above. That is where we had our probs.

Cheers

[Nutta]

I've been restoring roofs in qld for 18 years and the worst product i ever used was regent ultra, wouldnt go near the garbage, also nutech and a few other small mobs, the sun up here is pretty harsh too. Regent coating was washing away in 18 months, they gave me every excuse under the sun, blamed me for everything, i'd never had that sort of drama in all these years, then they changed the formula,now i only use dulux 962 roof membrane, dont like supporting big companies, but,thats wot happens wen u get burnt.
If anyone needs a restoration in melbourne i've some family down there been doing that have been doing it for years, let me know, Wayne.





.

[Kerryv]

Hi Nutta, I sent you a PM.

When I cancelled with the roof company that wanted to use Regent Ultra I had the owner call me and I told him of your experience with it and that you use Dulux. He said that I was told the wrong thing from the guy that works for him and that they will in fact use Nu roof resins which are made by another small roof paint company in Thomastown, VIC.

Have you heard of this paint?

I have also contacted Dulux and they are putting me onto an applicator of Dulux 962 but I have a feeling they might charge a lot more than the quotes I received so far.

Thanks

Kerry

[Doughboy]

George

Look into all the costs and compare it to having a new colourbond roof put on.. I bet you will be really surprised. I love the sound of rain on the tin roof, nothing more soothing. But I like that sort of thing.

Pete

[willbeaton]

K

Did you get the roof you wanted? What did you end up going for?

I have a large terracotta roof and have just been quoted 11,000 for a repoint, rebed (if needed), clean, seal. A lot of money. The roof is 25sq (so quite large) but still alot of money.

The roof has lichen on most of it and looks a little unsightly. I dont really want it cleaned or resealed or painted. I just want it repointed and I dont want to pay 10k plus for it.

Anyone have some suggestions on what the job actually entails and what I should estimate as a cost. Also anyone have some recommendations of a company in Melbourne. Please?

[tondel]

Hello to all I am a roof paint manufacturer at Regent Paints, I am NOT A SALES man I am the foreman of 3 guys. I personally have been making the paint for about 6 years now and I am a little biast towards my paint but I can tell you that we take great care in making it. I like to ensure that the product goes out the door the same way every time, now thats very hard work but I try my hardest, the paint itself is very very good and if APLIED CORRECTLY it will do what we say its supposed to, there are not many instructions on the drum even my children could understand it. If anyone wants to talk to me about the paint please post a Question and I will be very happy to answer it Thanks

[pom79]

Hi all, new to this forum so though I'd make my first!

We used Creative Roofing in Doncaster for our place, 1960's weatherboard with cement tiles (Standard M profile tiles) paid near enough $4k for the complete job including flashing, valley irons, soakers and of course re-bed, flexi point and top of the range paint.

Not the cheapest mob who quoted of course, but good service and happy with the results.

We priced colourbond and new tiles (both cement and terracotta) but based on the value of the house and the fact we're not planning on staying for years, it was the most cost effective solution for us.

Cheers!

[rsser]

Had a plumber look at our cement roof tiles - paint flaking off and some 'erosion' - and his recommendation was to replace the lot with terracotta; that repainting would only ever be temporary.

He did say that if I wanted to keep going for as long as possible as is, to clean out the little 'gutters' on the overlapped long edge of the tiles for the last 3 or so rows next to the spouting. They tend to clog up with sand. I've done this and it helped.

Unbiassed advice I figured since he's not a roofing specialist and didn't want the job.

[Metung]

I have been interested by some of the figures mentioned because when I designed the house that I am building I specified a curved roof on a 40 metre radius. The outilne of the roof is basically an "L" shape, 9.5 metres wide on the vertical part of the "L" and 11.6 on the horizontal leg. All up 140 sq.m. of roofing. It was dead easy to install with no ridges, valleys or flashings to worry about, just straight sections of iron layed over the roofing battens. It also only requires on gutter running along the low side. Probably not everybody's cup of tea as far as looks go but it certainly does the job and it would seem to be a fairly cheap design - all up, with sisalation as well, it cost $7000 to have installed and I reckon the plumber knew he had me over a barrel when he charged me $3000 for the install. It only took 2 days for two of them to install it, which is pretty good money, although I think that figure included crane hire to get the iron up on the roof.

[Tabby]

Hi Paul,
Literally half an hour ago I phoned one of those big companies to organise a quote then decided to search the web and found this bulletin board. Is there someone local you would recommend or in deed yourself.
Thank you in advance for your advice.

[mreddie]

Like Tabby, I too are looking for a good roof restorer in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne just for some rebedding / repointing. Can anyone on these boards suggest anyone?

[Bloss]

Do a search on the forum as there have been many threads on this subject all with plenty of info.

Two reasons for roof restoration on concrete tiles:

1. Aesthetic - so that the colour and appearance is redone to a 'new' look.

2. Structural - to remove, replace and repair broken tiles and ridge capping and failing pointing.

Either can be done, but if you want 1. you need to make sure that 2. gets done properly before anything proceeds with 1.

You can get a good tiler to remove any cracked or broken tiles, remove and re-bed any loose or cracked ridge-capping and re-point all ridges, gable ends etc using a good quality flexible acrylic pointing compound.

If you are happy with the look of the roof as it is then you need do no more - unpainted concrete tiles rarely leak (unless they are cracked). They can become soft and crumbly with age, but in most cases this would after 60 years and mostly much longer. The pitch of the roof is what stops water ingress so long as there is no structural issue with the covering (in this case tiles).

If you do want that new colour and appearance then the restoration process will then include a coating system (and it is not necessarily to have the repairs done by the same people who do the roof coating).

Word of mouth is a reasonable test and these forums are good for that too - some people have many troubles with roof restorations - others still have good results after 10 years or so. My experience is that most coatings start to fail within 5-7 years (as do most external paints).

As others have said and is so for all painting preparation is critical - what the paint has to stick to is at least as important as the paint formulation and application.

Whatever is put on your roof will likely last around 10-12 years with existing technologies so ignore guarantees that suggest that life or longer. For one thing few companies will be around in 5 years let alone 10 (and those that have been around longer are probably worth getting quotes from). Even if the company is around most warranties will have a 'pro rata' clause meaning that the value of any warranty is depreciating (as your roof finish wears of course).

Look at the consumer affairs or fair trading sites for any business you are thinking of signing up with - not a certainty, but the worst rogues will usually have many complaints on record.

[mreddie]

That is all fine and most of it very good advice thanks.... but if anyone has experience with a good repairer in Melbourne (eastern suburbs) that would be very helpful.....

[paullmichelle]

That is all fine and most of it very good advice thanks.... but if anyone has experience with a good repairer in Melbourne (eastern suburbs) that would be very helpful.....
Hi mreddie,

I would be interested in giving you an estimate but it would not be until the end of summer as I am fully booked up. I also have to have a look at Tabby's "above post" as well then, so if you are not in a hurry you can leave your details at [email protected]

Regards

[Gooner]

Restoring my concrete tile roof is one of the next jobs on my agenda. After getting Roof Seal and Modern to quote, I am thinking of doing it myself. Either that, or get someone to repoint/rebed and pressure wash and perhaps then I may apply the coating. Not sure yet. Need to look into it further and get some other quotes

I must say that the sales guy from Modern was OK, but I found the "foot in the door" tactics used by the guy who came over from Roof Seal very annoying. I found him very arrogant, pushy, and extremely condescending. He wouldn't leave in a hurry either after repeatedly assuring him I would not commit to anything until I got further quotes from other companies.

Apart from the quote being ultra expensive, I would not go with Roof Seal based on the sales experience. Sounds like their sales tactics are not doing themselves any favors.

[pom79]

As per my previous post, Creative Roofing did a good job at my place, now based in Vermont south I reckon ?

[bubbles76]

Personally I wouldn't throw good money after bad. How old is your roof? What condition are the tiles in?

We had concrete tiles on the roof, which were about 50 years old. There were mutliple problems.

The concrete held water and besides making the roof itself extremely heavy, it developed a predisposition towards leaking.

The overlapping lip of the tile (the piece you walk on) had worn down on most of the tiles to around 5mm or less. This meant that the tiles had become eggshell brittle, and repairing them became nonsensical. Every second tile you walked on cracked.

It was nigh on impossible to find matching tiles for the profile I needed. The newer tiles were all longer, wider or of a different shape all together.

Eventually (after a year of tarp roof) we just switched to Colorbond - no mucking around. We did try and stall until the renos were done, but the roof deteriorated beyond tarp help.

My advice - Colorbond.

hi there, we are wanting to change to colorbond, not sure on how to go about it.
any help would be great

thanks

[libretto]

We desperately need to have our roof restored. It is 28 years old and the ridge capping was replaced 12 years ago - basically it needs some serious restoration. We know nothing about roof restoration and are becoming increasingly depressed by what looks like a very dodgy industry. We have had four quotes - one from a big high pressure bunch (who offered the stupid sign option), one medium-sized company where the owner actually came out to see us and two smaller businesses. The quotes have ranged from $5300 to $13,000 for a 20 square L-shaped house. We have heard about acrylic-based paint and concrete-based paint and all of the companies have bagged each other out. What is the real story for the uninitiated? Is concrete paint better than the acrylic systems? How much should we be paying? Why can't these guys figure out that slamming their competitors is NOT a good sales tactic? :~