Roofing in Ntuzuma

Typical service lives: asphalt shingles 15-30 years, concrete tile 40-60, clay tile and slate 60-100+, metal 40-70, flat membranes (felt, EPDM, TPO) 15-30. Underlayment and flashings usually fail before the covering itself, which is why old roofs leak even with intact tiles.

Yes, over time — moss holds moisture against the surface, lifts tile and shingle edges, and accelerates frost damage. Have it removed by soft washing or manual scraping, never high-pressure washing, which strips granules and forces water under the covering. Zinc or copper strips slow regrowth.

Sometimes — an overlay saves tear-off cost but hides deck problems, adds weight, and often shortens the new roof's life and warranty. Many codes and manufacturers limit roofs to two layers. Tear-off costs more upfront and is usually the better long-term decision; get both options priced.

Often worth it: the access equipment is already up, edge details integrate cleanly, and combined pricing beats two separate jobs. If your gutters are under ten years old and sound, keep them — but have the roofer protect them during tear-off and note their condition in writing.

Full replacements commonly require a building permit or regulatory compliance; small like-for-like repairs usually don't. Rules vary by country and municipality, and a legitimate contractor will know and handle the paperwork — treat 'we don't need a permit' on a full reroof as a flag to double-check.

A straightforward single-family roof takes 1-3 days for asphalt shingles or metal sheeting, and up to 1-2 weeks for tile, slate or complex multi-plane roofs. Weather delays are normal — a competent crew will never strip more roof than they can waterproof the same day.

Typical repairs run R1,000-R10,000 with the average around R3,500-R5,500; per-m² repair rates are commonly R70-R250. A full roof replacement on a family home runs roughly R80,000-R250,000 depending on covering and structure.

Gauteng's October-March thunderstorm and hail season drives most claims inland, while Cape winter rains (June-August) expose failed waterproofing. Inspect before your region's wet season — after the first big storm, good contractors are booked out.