Fibreglass Roof Problems
These are a few of the most common problems which can be the causes of leaks with GRP Flat roofs. Below are just a few Fibreglass Flat Roof Repairs problems to be mindful of before repairs.
- Flashings: If the area where your flashings meet an adjoining wall haven’t been sealed correctly, or were sealed against a poorly cleaned wall then they may have become separated. It’s common for a small gaps to appear along the join which can then compromise the seal of the roof and make it susceptible to water run-off.
- Expansion & Contraction: The expanding and contracting of a fibreglass roof can cause fatigue which in turn can lead to cracks and holes appearing. When the roof was installed expansion should have been factored in. Another cause for this form of failure is when joints and trims aren’t reinforced correctly allowing for unwanted movement.
Thankfully these common causes of fibreglass roof damage are easily repaired by professionals.
What is Fibreglass Roofing?
Fibreglass is a polymer plastic matrix reinforced with glass fibres. Fibreglass, also known as glass reinforced plastic or glass resin plastic (GRP), is typically used for flat roofs, but can be used for pitch roofs as well. Fibreglass roofing uses fibreglass laminate applied over conditioned plywood rafters. The roof is then finished with a fibreglass trim instead of traditional flashing, and coated with a pre-pigmented top coat in a colour to suit your aesthetic requirements. Roofing specialists can help find the best solution for your style of roof.
How Fibreglass Is Made
Most of the materials found in fibreglass are naturally occurring. These may include silica sand, soda ash and limestone, but fibreglass gets its name from the silica sand that turns to glass when heated. The entire batch of materials is placed into a furnace where it is melted, and then it is transferred to equipment designed to convert the molten glass into fibres giving it its shape.
There are several ways to do this, including filament extrusion and spinning. Once the fibreglass itself has been created, the fibres are then added to other materials to keep them strong and impenetrable.
Fibreglass tiles
Fibreglass tiles are also quite popular across the country. Like traditional materials, they have an asphalt exterior, but while organic asphalt tiles have a wood or paper mat, fibreglass ones contain a matrix of plastic reinforced with fibres made of glass. They’re lighter than traditional asphalt, which makes them easier to install, but they don’t last quite as long and as a result we frequently receive repair requests. An advantage is that they cost less than traditional tiles or shingles, and they’re relatively simple to repair.
Benefits of Fibreglass Roofs
Fibreglass is durable and lightweight, which makes it an ideal construction material in instances when it needs to be brought up a ladder to the area being repaired. Unlike other flat roof materials, including asbestos, fibre-glass poses no health risks.
Fibreglass is also ideal for home extensions and commercial construction, and can be used not only for large roofs, but also for smaller roofs like a garden shed or animal homes. Fibreglass is robust, flexible, weather resistant, and will never corrode. Fibreglass is one of the most inexpensive roofing materials, requiring little to no maintenance and few repairs.
Costs of Fibreglass Repair
Fibreglass roofing has a life expectancy of up to 30 years +. In that time, some minor repairs may be required. Although a fibreglass roof requires almost no maintenance, the condition of the roof should be checked regularly to spot any leaks early on.
Due to fibreglass being an inexpensive material that is easy to work with, fibreglass roof repair tends to be fairly cheap, although this will depend on the severity of the damage and the labour required to fix the problem.