Spring to action

You don’t need us to tell you just how testing a New Zealand winter can be on the outside of your home.

North, south, east or west. No matter where you live, our maritime climate can throw up rain, wind, sleet, hail, snow and sunshine - and sometimes that’s just in one day.

The secret to a good looking, well-maintained home is regular upkeep and even more regular, good old-fashioned washing.

Some parts of your home, like a COLORSTEEL® roof, can usually be sorted with the cleansing effect of normal rainfall.

Areas that don’t receive adequate rain washing, such as soffits, wall cladding under eaves and undersides of gutters need a little more care, with good, vigorous manual washing every 3-12 months.

If rain can’t wash the surface of your roof, then a build-up of natural and manmade contaminants is the inevitable result. Over time, that build-up can have a detrimental effect on both the look and the structural integrity of your roof.

The good news is that, in normal circumstances, a COLORSTEEL® roof is one of the most durable roofing materials you can choose. They’re known to be low-maintenance, but there are still a few simple tips you can follow to maximise longevity and optimise performance.

Here are our top three. 

1. Keep an eye on tree fall

If you have an established garden, chances are that, over time, leaves and twigs and dust and dirt will be whipped up and deposited willy-nilly on your prized COLORSTEEL® roof. Rainfall normally takes care of the dust and dirt, but the other stuff is best moved on with a long, soft-bristled brush every 3 months.

2. Be good to your gutters

Your gutters are there for a reason and it’s not for composting leaves a year at a time. Keep them clear and avoid letting leaves or debris pile up. This task usually involves pulling out your ladder from storage, so remember to be careful up there!

3. A fraction too much friction

Overhanging trees and the rustling of tree branches and foliage on your roof’s surface can cause damage beyond the superficial. It might seem like nothing, but scratching and rubbing on one particular point for months at a time is never good. It’s a pretty simple fix. Just get your pruning shears out and keep any potential irritants well away from your beautiful new roof.

By following these and other simple maintenance processes, your COLORSTEEL® roof will shelter you more than adequately, year after year. Just keep an eye on things, back that vigilant approach up with a little bit of not-too-hard labour, and the job’s done.