Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home. Responsible for protecting your home from the outside elements, it puts up with a lot of pressure over its lifetime.
While a certain degree of wear is natural, you’ll want your roof to last as long as possible keeping out the weather, heat and more.
Luckily, Australian building codes lay out strict standards for metal roofing installation in order to ensure that your roof continues to keep your home safe and comfortable!
But what are these standards, anyway?
You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for an answer – the roof plumbers at Watermaster Roofing work with metal roofs every day, performing work that adheres to these strict standards.
Introducing: AS 1562.1:2018 Design and Installation of Sheet Roof and Wall Cladding
What it means for metal roofing installers in Melbourne
First implemented in the 1990s and most recently updated in 2018, this set of standards lays out guidelines regarding the installation of metal roofs.
In particular, it mandates the types of construction techniques we’re allowed to use, and outlines preferred fastening and installation methods.
That’s because not all metal roof installation jobs are quite as straightforward as just drilling metal sheets into your framing.
Depending on the type of roof you have planned, your metal roofing installation may require different techniques.
For these unique jobs, the standards mandate specific techniques in order to ensure that even if the design is unconventional, it’ll still meet the same level for strength and durability.
How it impacts metal roof repair
It isn’t just new installations that are impacted by these standards – so too are repair jobs.
Specifically, they outline:
- What techniques can be used to carry out repairs
- Which sorts of materials we can use
- What worn-out parts of your roof should be replaced with
While metal roof repairs usually aren’t as extensive as roof replacement or new metal roof installation, they still impact your roof’s durability and strength. As such, it’s crucial that all repairs are carried out using suitable techniques and materials.
How it impacts manufacturers
In addition to regulating installation methods and roof design, the standards also cover the materials themselves.
After all, half of what makes metal roofing so effective happens at the factory!
At Watermaster Roofing, we primarily use COLORBOND metal roofing for a couple of reasons:
- It’s durable, with a lifespan measured in decades
- COLORBOND is designed for harsh Australian conditions, reducing the need for metal roof repairs
- Special coatings protect your roof from rust and degradation
- It is highly impact-resistant
- A variety of thicknesses for different application
All of these features (and more) are “baked-into” the metal at the point of manufacture.
By putting strict requirements on manufacturers of metal roofing panels, these standards aim to ensure that every metal roofing product on the market is a quality product, and that no matter which you choose you receive a strong, durable and great-looking roof.
What types of projects are covered?
If you live in an older house with a metal roof, don’t worry – your property is “grandfathered” in, meaning you won’t have to worry about having to update your metal roof.
Only new building projects and renovations that involve metal roofing replacement are affected.
That said, it’s still worth paying attention to these standards anyway!
In many cases, insurance companies may look at buildings that violate current building standards (but which were approved under older schemes) with apprehension.
And that means higher premiums and rates.
While we can’t tell you how to spend your money, we can recommend that you look at getting your metal roof updated anyway, especially if it’s starting to show its age.
Not to mention, a new roof won’t need metal roof repair anywhere near as frequently. You may find that on the balance, an entirely new roof helps you save money!
What about gutters?
It isn’t just the roof panels themselves that are governed by strict standards – so too are our gutters.
Unfortunately, our roof plumbers in Melbourne have noticed that guttering and roof plumbing tend to get a lot less attention than the rest of your roofing system!
The reason roof plumbing and gutters also need to follow strict standards regarding their construction is because of the important role they play in your roof. Specifically, they’re responsible for channeling rainwater off your roof.
This is an important role, as when rainwater pools up, it can cause a range of issues, including:
- Water damage
- Leaks
- Mould and mildew growth
- Sagging roof
- Structural damage
Only by getting rainwater off your roof before it can accumulate can you ensure that your roof avoids this fate!
Our roof plumbers in Melbourne explain the standards regarding guttering and roof plumbing
When it comes to gutters, your roof plumber in Melbourne will also need to design a system with regards to other, unique issues.
One of the most important is flow rate – since your gutters’ main job is to get rainwater off your roof, your roof drainage system needs to be able to handle the amount of rain you’ll experience in your corner of Melbourne.
When designing and detailing of a roof drainage system, consideration must be given to a range of factors, including:
- Rainfall intensity
- Roof area (this affects how much water your system needs to handle)
- Overflow considerations
- Gutter fall
- Angle and slope
And that’s on top of the other requirements your roof plumber in Melbourne will need to follow regarding material quality and installation methods!
It may sound excessive for your gutters – without them however, your gutters may struggle to do their job and protect your home from water damage.
Our roof plumbers in Melbourne will make your house the envy of the neighbourhood
Of course, a good-looking roof doesn’t mean much if it’s:
- Creaky and poorly installed
- Wears in only a couple of years
- Constantly suffers from leaks
- Buckles, bends and dents
Luckily, Australian standards regarding the fabrication, design and installation of metal roofs ensures that you won’t have to worry about your roof suffering any of these issues.
Of course, as we all know, just having a standard or law isn’t going to stop people from not following it.
You’ll still need to choose a team you can trust to carry out work that meets these standards!
Watermaster’s roof plumbers don’t just look after gutters – our expertise covers all facets of metal roofing.
More importantly, it also ensures that you won’t need to worry about your metal roof failing to meet standards or failing prematurely!
Get a stronger, more beautiful roof – give our roof plumbers in Melbourne a call on 1300 156 650, or click here to book online.
You can also visit us for roof plumbing in Melbourne: pop into our headquarters at 9/22 George St Sandringham, VIC 3191, if you prefer a more hands-on approach.