Have you ever looked at a concrete roof and wondered what was going on? Don’t worry; it’s not uncommon. Concrete roofs can be really beautiful and the colours are amazing. However, they can also be quite cold and slippery so you need to know how to take care of your concrete roof. Here are some tips to help you keep your roof looking great for as long as possible.
One of the first things you’ll want to do is check your structural steel. Why? It’s actually longer lasting and stronger than everything else out there. And with a reinforced acrylic coating, it’ll reflect heat, which makes it a very efficient energy efficient roofing solution. Also, concrete roofing is usually installed in three coats.
You should also check the flashing on your concrete roofing. Flashing is a very important structural component. Just check to make sure it hasn’t broken, has adequate flashing, is grafted properly and isn’t cracked. If you have old concrete roofs, you’ll need to replace them with new ones.
Next, remember that concrete roofing won’t stand up against hail or water damage. Make sure you get a good contractor who specializes in concrete work to handle any problems with hail or water. In addition, make sure you’re getting a roofing product that has excellent salt resistance. The last thing you want is your roof to melt away because of your negligence with roofing materials.
Lastly, if you’re using regular asphalt or clay tiles, there’s an average price associated with them. That average price is actually considerably higher than what your roof will end up costing because of wear and tear. There’s no reason for it. Asphalt and clay tiles are not designed for long-term use. If you’re planning on living in your home for the next 30 years, I suggest getting another type of roof.
For the most part, all concrete roofing systems are quite easy to maintain. The only part of that maintenance that you need to worry about is routine clean up. For the most part, that involves sweeping, mopping and de-greasing. In addition to the above mentioned steps, you may want to add a layer of stain or sealer after the first few years to protect the tiles. Keep in mind that the longer you can employ proper maintenance methods, the less expensive the system will be. In fact, over the long run you could save a significant amount of money by avoiding routine maintenance.
It should go without saying that proper care of your concrete tiles will result in an outstanding roof. That is, if you take the time to learn how to properly care for and install them correctly. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t know what to do with tile they have purchased, even though the manufacturer specified that the product was guaranteed for life. Since most cement tiles are designed to last for at least thirty years, if you neglect proper care, you could end up replacing those same cement tiles in just a few years. Instead of spending money on roofing materials that will just sit around, learn how to properly care for concrete tiles.
Another thing that you should pay attention to when considering the use of concrete roofs is the environmental factors surrounding the production of the product. In most regions of the country, there are stringent regulations limiting the number of chemical pollutants that can be released into local environments. In addition to these regulations, most homeowners prefer to use concrete roofing products that are more energy-efficient, such as polystyrene insulation instead of cement. Although polystyrene is a more expensive product than cement, it is also better for the environment.