It’s hard to ignore a leaking roof. Most of the time, they make themselves known in ways that can cause stress and damage in no way worth ignoring. When water is not draining properly from the roof, it’s certainly time to call in a proffesional. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay a hefty sum for the repair or replacement of sections of your roof.
On the other hand, you can’t just call in a regular service provider to complete this task. You need specifically licensed and insured roof plumbers with significant experience to carry out the project. This ensures your roof will be resistant to the elements over a long time horizon.
Let’s examine what roof experts are and how they can help with your roof requirements. Of course, we hope you’ll never need to use this information, but you can keep it on hand in case an issue comes about.
Roof plumbers in Melbourne
Roof plumbers are sometimes referred to as stormwater plumbers. They work on projects related to rainwater and stormwater pipes. In other words, they work mainly with downpipes, gutters, and roof vents. A pipe that goes over the roof is described as a piping vent. These vents need to be checked to ensure that there are no blockages. If there are blockages, a drain snake may be used to remove it.
Proper drainage ensures that all the rainwater flows away from the roof instead of pooling in a given area. If it does not drain away, it could result in a leak or even a potential collapse of your roof due to a combination of weight and moisture.
While all of this might sound quite straightforward, there can be quite a lot of complexity involved in the installation, maintenance, and repair of downpipes, gutters, and vents on the roof. The work also takes place at a height, which increases the risk to the professional performing the task at hand.
Further, the roofing work might entail connection to a rainwater retention system or to an underground drain. All the work must be conducted in line with local codes and standards set out by the Victoria Building Authority (VBA).
What are the typical duties of roof plumbers in Melbourne?
The main roles in Melbourne will include:
- Installation of eaves gutters
- Fabrication and installation of downpipes
- Installation of box gutters, outlets, overflows, rain heads, and sumps
- Installation of drains above ground
- Installation of downpipes for the roof drainage system
- Installation of flashings including soaker, step, apron, valley, ridge, pressure, and side flashings
- Installation of flash penetrations to fixtures such as vent pipes, skylights, air conditioning units, flues, and exhaust fans.
- Installation of rainwater tanks to collect drinking water
- Laying and securing metal roof sheeting safely
They also need to have the capability to analyze complex and technical home design plans. They need to understand how water behaves under different conditions. They must also be familiar with the different types of downpipes and gutters and when they can be used. These professionals also need experience working with different types of roofing materials including metal, fibreglass, polycarbonate, shingles, and more.
What's the difference between a general contractor and a roof plumber?
A roof plumber works with downpipes and gutters. A general contractor works with pipes and drains. The general contractor works in bathrooms and kitchens (primarily) while the roof expert deals with vents, downpipes and gutters on the roof.
A good way to describe it would be that the general contractor deals with internal piping while the roof expert deals with external piping.
Roof experts want the water to flow away from the house and roof while general contractors want to ensure a steady and clean water supply within the house. As described below, roof experts and general contractors also have separate licencing requirements, and the areas are governed by different codes and regulations.
Can a regular contractor do roof plumbing?
No. Roof plumbers in Melbourne need specific licensing. So unless the general contractor has this licence, they cannot do this class of work. The relevant standards are:
- AS3500 National Plumbing and Drainage Code
- HB 39 Installation code for metal roof and wall cladding
- HB 114 Guidelines for the design of eaves and box gutters
Roof piping is not merely a matter of installing some downpipes and watching the water flow away forever. All jobs in Melbourne require a compliance certificate that must be furnished within five days of completion to the Victoria Building Authority.
Roof jobs completed without a valid certificate will invariably be a lower quality of work. Simply put, general contractors cannot do roof piping unless they have licensing and experience. They also need to provide the insurance.
How often will I need roof plumbing?
When roof piping is properly installed in the first place, you should only need to do maintenance. In other words, if it’s done right on the first day, there will be little need for roof piping for years to come unless you notice a clear difficulty.
A roof inspection is also an option, and you can get this done every one to two years to make sure everything is in top working condition.
However, you will still need to complete upkeep on your roof regardless of getting structural work done. It’s recommended to clean your roof and gutters as frequently as you can, perhaps once every six months. You can call in a service to do this. If you have steel roof flashing, you will need to wash, prime, and repaint it so that it does not rust.
What are the benefits of roof plumbers in Melbourne?
The main benefits can be observed when you install the initial roof system. By using a licensed, registered, and insured service provider that issues compliance certificates, you can rest assured that you’re getting a high standard of work. This means you will need less frequent maintenance, and the system will last far longer.
There’s quite a lot of complexity involved in the process of roof piping installation. There are different pipe materials, shapes, designs, and mechanisms through which adequate drainage can be achieved. A quality roof expert can provide you with the best advice for this to help preserve your roof for the long term.
Such companies will likely be able to offer associated services such as bathroom or kitchen projects, hot water system installations, HVAC systems, backflow testing, pipe relining, emergency services, and more. Where possible, it’s recommended to find a reliable, consistent, experienced, and professional contractor that offers multiple services.
How do I find high-quality roof experts in Melbourne?
While there is a distinction, you’ll often find that general contractors offer roof plumbing services. Rarely will you find specific companies that do not offer other piping-related activities. If you’re looking for high-quality professionals in Melbourne, ask yourself the following questions:
- Are they licensed, insured, and accredited?
- Do they provide compliance certificates for work done?
- Do they have strong online reviews and testimonials?
- How many staff work for this company?
- What is their customer service like?
- Are they family-owned and local business?
- Do they have international certificates and accreditations?
- Are they a member of Master Plumbers Australia?
- Do they offer warranties and guarantees for the work undertaken?
Once all of the above questions are sufficiently answered, you can be confident that the roof plumbing service is likely a legitimate, reliable, professional, and courteous company. If they have international certificates and are members of Master Plumbers Australia, then it means they are well ahead of the curve in terms of their expertise and quality of service.
Professional roof plumbers in Melbourne
If you’re in the market for reliable roof plumbers in Melbourne, look no further than Reed Plumbing & Drainage.
We can provide expert quality roof piping so you get the best return on your roof. We’re also five-star rated, provide a host of services, and have a team of 20 qualified staff on hand.
Our team is insured, and we are licensed and registered to operate. We are members of Master Plumbers Australia and certified with IS0 9001, ISO 14001, and AS/NZS 4801.
Call now for the best roof piping in Melbourne on 9311 6633.
Hire a Good Plumber in Melbourne
The factors that make an excellent plumber include a considerable portfolio of services, five stars Google ratings, as well as being easy to communicate with.
At Reed Plumbing and Drainage Solutions, we are fully licensed and certified, have more than 15 years of experience.
We are experts in all areas of plumbing, so give us a buzz and we’ll able to discuss the options with you to find the best solution in the quickest time.
