Deciding to build a granny flat is simple, designing and building the extension can be a lot harder. You'll have a lot of questions to answer along the way. Can you use a general contractor or is is better to use one who has built a lot of granny flats before? Is a template design better than a customised one? Should you let the person who'll live in the flat have a say in what it looks like? Luckily, I'm here to help. My name is Maria. We moved my Mum into a purpose-built granny flat last year, so I've had to answer all these questions and more. I thought it'd be useful for other people to see how we managed the process, so here we are — get reading!
Four Essential Guidelines for Protecting Your Metal Panel Roofing
Metal panel roofs such as Colorbond are ideal for home installation because they are highly durable, even in harsh climatic conditions. Also, these structures are low maintenance and are often available in a range of attractive colours. In addition, metal panel roofs are environmentally friendly since they are energy-efficient, recyclable and suitable for use in rain-harvesting operations. However, the Colorbond roofing is not immune to damage. If you do not protect the structure, it could fail prematurely. Here are critical tips for guarding your metal panel roofing.
Commission Regular Roof Inspections
When you install your metal roof, you must remember to schedule regular inspections by a roofing professional. This practice is essential for a long-lasting structure. In general, the inspection process will identify problems such as perforations, leaf build-up and corrosion which indicate roof deterioration. If these issues are detected early, they can be resolved using simple cleaning and repair techniques. Remember, when faults in the roof escalate, the repair costs will increase.
Protect from Pressure and Stress
Metal roofs are tough and sturdy, but they cannot handle extreme mechanical stress. For instance, if too much weight is exerted on the panels, deformation and even tearing might occur. Therefore, you must protect your roof from this type of strain. One of the common causes of damage is stepping on the roof. It is not advisable for you to step on your roof because you will cause structural weakness. If inspections or repairs are needed, consult a roofing contractor. Professionals will use the right equipment, minimising the risk of damage.
Clean the Gutters Regularly
You should plan for periodic gutter cleaning. The number of times that you will need to clean per year will depend on your environment. However, you must never allow debris to build up and fill the channels. Excess material will cause the gutters to pull on and stress the roofing panels. This could increase the risk of the roofing sheets becoming misaligned. In addition, if your gutters are blocked, the roof might become dammed when it rains.
Prevent Gradual Galvanic Corrosion
Finally, you should prevent galvanic corrosion of your sheet metal roof. This form of corrosion occurs when two different metals come into contact. Typically, one of the metals will be corroded quickly in preference over the less reactive one. Therefore, you should only use a single metal in your roofing structure, especially when replacing the flashing. If you must install different metals, use non-metallic insulators to separate the materials.