Maintenance and renovation
What should you check before replacing a roof covering?
In brief
Safe roof covering replacement depends above all on diagnosing the roof’s condition beforehand, not merely on buying new sheets. Before the crew goes onto the slope, the structure should be assessed and protection for the open building and the unloading area planned. It is worth checking whether stains and deflections stem from the covering, flashings or vapour condensation. The load-bearing capacity of the trusses should be assessed by someone with structural knowledge, since even a lighter material does not justify leaving weakened supports in place.
What to assess before dismantling?
Inspect the roof from the outside and from the attic side. Stains, sagging, cracked elements and signs of long-term damp require clarification. It is worth establishing whether the leak comes from the covering, the flashings or condensation. Without a diagnosis, the new sheets may conceal the problem for years to come.
The load-bearing capacity of the roof truss is assessed by a person with appropriate structural knowledge. Even a lighter material does not justify leaving weakened supports in place. Snow, wind, connections and the condition of the wall plate also matter. If the renovation changes the layer arrangement or the way the attic is used, moisture and ventilation must also be analysed.
How to protect the building from rain?
Do not remove a larger area of covering than the crew is able to secure within the agreed time. The schedule should take into account the weather forecast and an allowance for uncovered damage. The tarpaulin requires solid fixing and must be laid so that it does not form a reservoir above the ceiling.
Determine in advance where water from the temporary covers will drain. It must not flood the façade, rooms or stored materials. It is worth dividing some of the work into roof slopes, but the sequence must allow the layers to be correctly joined. The decision is made by the contractor after inspecting the structure and roof details.
How to prepare the area around the house?
Set aside space for the vehicle, the lift, pallets and waste. Long sheets need room to be carried safely. Storing them right next to the access route to the house increases the risk of damage to the coating. The material should lie on suitable supports in accordance with the storage conditions.
Movement of residents and bystanders must be restricted beneath the work area. Tools and pieces of the old covering may fall beyond the outline of the walls. Protect glazing, plants and equipment at the façade. Also allow for waste collection so that piles of dismantled elements do not obstruct either the work or evacuation.
What does working at height require?
Roof access and fall protection should be part of the work organisation. A casually placed ladder does not constitute a complete working platform. The choice of scaffolding, guardrails and protective measures depends on the height, building geometry and installation method. The assessment is carried out by the team responsible for the works.
Do not walk on weakened sections of the roof slope or on the membranes alone. Wet sheet metal, ice and gusty wind may require work to be stopped. A long sheet behaves like a sail in the wind. Savings on transport equipment must not force risky material handling.
What should be done once the old roof is exposed?
This is the moment to check the battens, counter-battens, timber connections and the substrate for flashings. Damaged sections must be repaired before covering. It is not enough to add screws in random places. If structural defects are revealed, further works should follow an agreed repair method.
Wet insulation requires an assessment of the cause of moisture and the possibility of drying. Enclosing it under new layers may worsen the situation. Continuity of water drainage, tightness of the layer on the interior side and the designed ventilation path must be maintained. Each of these functions belongs to a different part of the roof.
How should delivery and lifting of the sheets be planned?
The delivery date should correspond to the stage of works. Delivering material too early extends storage, while a delay may leave the roof slope open. Long sheets require proper support during transport onto the roof. The number of people and the way of gripping should limit deflection and edge deformation.
Before unloading, check order conformity, markings and visible damage. Take photos of the packs and labels. Water that has got between tightly stacked sheets should not remain there. The method of unpacking and drying must be selected according to the recommendations for the given material.
Also plan the safe transport of accessories. Sharp flashings, loose screws and damaged packaging make work on the roof slope difficult. Materials should not be placed in one spot without assessing the roof load. Delivery organisation has structural significance, not only an effect on the pace of works.
How should acceptance of the new covering be prepared?
Before installation begins, confirm the type of sheet metal, the covering direction and the complete set of accessories. During works, document the flashings and roof penetration points. Checking only the finished surface will not show all fixings. Discrepancies with the instructions should be clarified while the detail is still accessible.
After completion, check water drainage, the condition of gutters, removal of metal filings and the fixing of access elements. Keep a list of materials used and photos. If the old covering may contain asbestos, do not begin dismantling it yourself. It requires a separate, properly organised procedure and waste acceptance.
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