All of us have had to cope with a leaking roof at a certain stage of our lives – whether it being when you were still a child or as a grownup – this is something that most of us dread and worry about especially with the amount of rain we have been getting during 2010. One does not want to complain because we really do need the rain, but some of us just don’t have that extra money in our budget to spend on something that often causes total destruction.
But don’t despair, you never have to worry about something like this again, because we have called on the experts to give us a bit of advice as far as roofs are concerned. Dries Erwee, from D.F. Construction was kind enough to answer some essential questions about fixing roof leaks and maintaining your roof.
Firstly and most importantly Dries wants to stress the fact that 90% off all insurance claims are rejected when it comes to fixing roof leaks because of poor roof maintenance. So if your roof is not well maintained from the start, chances are that you will be paying for your next roof leak out of your own pocket. So be careful and maintain your roof!
Q: What are the main causes of a leaking roof?
A: “A leaking roof is often caused by damaged flashings, cracked cement and damaged roof nocks.”
Q: How does one go about identifying what is causing the roof to leak?
A: “This will depend on your roof type – if you have a corrugated roof, check for rust and loose nails. Leaks as far as tile roofs are concerned are often caused by broken tiles or blocked gutters, so be on the look out for these problems.”
Q: What can one do to minimize the damage caused by roof leaks until you can find a cause and solution?
A: “There are no easy ways or short cuts when it comes to leaking roofs. The best idea is to get a professional out to assist and solve your roof troubles because none of the DIY-products that are currently available on the market truly last. Furthermore it is essential to maintain your roof, even if you do not have any leaks, because most of the time the leak is a consequence of bad maintenance – prevention is truly better than cure in this instance.”
Q: Please give our readers some basic tips and advice on how they can attempt to fix their own roof leak if it is not something complicated and if they do not have money to have it fixed?
A:
- Check and seal nails (corrugated roofs).
- Clean the gutters.
- Check for rust (corrugated roofs).
- Replace broken tiles.
- Clear out blocked gullies.
- Check the flashings and nocks.
- Check and repair cracked cement.”
Q: Tell us a bit more about your company – what is your main focus, what products and / or services do you have to offer?
A: “D.F. Construction mainly focuses on the painting (of all surfaces) and waterproofing. Our paint and waterproofing come in various colours and is a Green as well as a truly South African product. All our products are also SABS registered and approved. The main advantages of our product, Aqua Paint, is that it can withstand heat of up to 180°C, is UV and acid proof and it is also very flexible which means that it will not crack easily because it can stretch quite a bit. Our product is also very easy to apply and we are the only company in South Africa that uses this unique product.”
Q: What must readers always keep in mind when choosing a service provider to fix their leaking roof?
A: “Choose a service provider with a reputable reputation. Always make sure that the product your service provider is using is of a high quality and a reputable brand. Also ensure that you and your service provider both understand exactly what needs to be done. It is best to have a detailed contract or quotation drawn up to ensure optimal service.”
For more information on Aqua Paint or if you would like to make use of D.F. Construction’s professional services, phone Dries on 071 994 6681.
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