Let's Maintain the Roof

Learn 3 ways to renovate your roof to make it last longer

The roof plays an important role in protecting the house from wind and rain and ultraviolet rays, but it is also a fragile place because it is directly affected by the natural environment. However, the roof is often unnoticeable and often left unattended without noticing any damage. Moreover, since it is a work at a high place and it is dangerous to carry out inspections and reform work by yourself, it is necessary to ask a specialized company. This time we will introduce how to renovate the roof.

The roof needs regular renovation work

If the roof is left unmaintained, the roof and base materials may be damaged, and rainwater may leak through the gaps in the roof material and cause rain leakage. In addition, rainwater ingress from the roof can damage even the structures of your home, such as beams and columns. Although the suitable renovation method depends on the condition of the roof, regular maintenance can maintain the function of the roof and make the house last longer.

Let's renovate according to the condition of the roof

There are three types of roof remodeling: "Roof Painting", "Overlap Roofing", and "Rethatching". We will explain the advantages and disadvantages of each.

●Roof Painting
Renovation of the roof requires repainting of cement roof tiles among slate roofs, metal roofs, and roof tiles, and it is not necessary to repaint the Japanese roof tiles. Since the coating film on the surface of the roofing material deteriorates due to deterioration over time, will repaint it to improve waterproofness and prevent corrosion by coating and to prevent rust on metal roofs.
The timing of repainting is 7 to 10 years after new construction.
The life of the coating film after repainting varies depending on the paint used, and the price is proportional to the number of years of durability. Life span is 8 to 10 years for urethane paint, 10 to 15 years for silicone paint, and 15 to 20 years for fluorine paint. Nowadays, silicone paint is often used because of the balance of price and durability.
Painting is a reforming method used to extend the period until rethatching and maintain the functionality of the roofing material. The advantage is lower cost than rethatching and overlap roofing, but only when there is almost no damage to the roofing material or base material.

●Overlap Roofing
Overlap Roofing is a remodeling method in which a new roof material is covered from above without removing the existing roof material, and is also called a cover construction method. This method is suitable for cases where there is little damage to the base material and only the roof material is damaged.
The advantage is that the construction period and construction costs can be reduced without the cost and period of removing existing roofing materials. The double roofing material has a heat insulating effect and a heat insulating effect. However, since the roof becomes heavy, the earthquake resistance is disadvantageous, so it may be difficult depending on the building and consideration may be required such as using light roof material for overlap roofing. Another disadvantage of overlap roofing is that you may not notice the damage to the groundwork.
Since it is difficult to construct a new roofing material after overlapping roofing, it is necessary to peel off the double roofing material when roofing work is required again. Choose between overlapping roofing and rethatching, taking into account the roofing material and the life of the house itself.

●Rethatching
Rethatching is a reforming method that removes existing roofing materials and base materials, and newly constructs base materials, tarpaulins, and roofing materials. If the roof and base materials are damaged, rethatching work is required. It can be a different type of roofing material than the existing one, but there are differences in the required slope depending on the roofing material, and if the slope of the roof is gentle, you may only be able to choose a metal roof.
Rethatching is disadvantageous in that it takes construction time and construction costs, and there are concerns about neighborhood troubles such as dust fluttering due to removal of roofing material, but it is similar to a newly built condition and the life of the house is extended.

Let's determine the time when the roof needs to be reformed by regular inspection
It is difficult to visually check the condition of the roof by yourself, so let's take a regular inspection to determine when renovation is necessary. After 10 years of construction, it is desirable to have a regular inspection every 5 years. If the white powder, which is known as the chalking phenomenon, sticks to your hands, you can repair by  the coating.. However, if the moss and mold have grown, the roofing material itself may contain water and have deteriorated. At the right time, you can maintain the function of the roof and the house by performing renovation for roof maintenance.

Consider installing solar power along with roof renovation
When renovating the roof, we recommend that you also consider installing solar power generation. Photovoltaic power generation is a clean power generation method that does not pollute the air, and if you have a sunny roof, you can expect to reduce the cost of electricity.
Installing solar panels on the roof does not necessarily require a scaffold, depending on the slope of the roof. However, since it is a work at a high place, installing a scaffold and covering it with a mesh sheet not only ensures the safety of workers, but also prevents damages such as panels falling onto neighboring houses. Also, installing scaffolding will increase construction costs. If you are planning to install solar power generation, scaffolding will be installed even when renovating the roof, so by requesting construction together, scaffolding charges do not double. 
For solar power generation, it is common to install solar panels on the roof material, but there is also a method of integrating the solar panels and roof material at the time of roof renovation. Some products are not only for rethatching but also for overlap roofing, so please consider it at same time.

Before the next heavy rain and typhoon season, take precautions to keep your building in good condition for longer.