Roofing Question

hawthornandrew · Nov 29, 2024 12:15 pm

I would like some advice on what can be done for my roof.

It is an old block of 4 flats in Victoria. It is strata title with 4 owners. I am one of the owners. The roof is at the end of its lifespan and is heavily rusted. It needs replacing. The roof is Kliplock steel panels. For some reason some of the panels have been replaced some time ago and are not in need f replacement.

The roof pitch is under 1 degree which of course is no longer legal. This leads to ponding and rusting of the panels.

While I want to replace the entire roof and introduce an incline to all of the roof other, owners want to just replace the older panels and keep the roof with no incline. This will be a cheaper option.

The question I ask is this legal? I have had conflicting replies as to whether a building permit is required. Replacement generally does not require a building permit but structural changes do. If a building permit is required then certainly the whole roof needs to be replaced and a compliant pitch needs to be done.

Assuming a building permit is not required can a builder (or a plumber) substantially replace a roof leaving it non – compliant? Other owners will choose this option if they can however I want to make it compliant with all building regulations.

Can others give their opinions on whether it is legal?

Thanks

Pulse · Nov 29, 2024 5:04 pm

Kliplok is ok at 1 degree, how long are the runs you might just need to bulk up the roof battens which is pretty easy and isn’t considered a structural change even though it technically is. You need to make sure the installation complies with current standards

BuildingandLegal · Nov 29, 2024 9:18 pm

Re-roofing triggers a building application, which will be assessed against the current codes, which includes the current approved roof gradients.
If you are replacing individual or a few sheets at a time, (NOT do 3, then the next 3, and the next 3 etc etc) then grandfathering comes into the argument. This would permit you to keep the old pitch.

hawthornandrew · Nov 30, 2024 3:35 pm

Thanks BuildingandLegal. Very informative.

The situation is that just over half of the roof needs replacing. One side is all right. The other side is old. So would be a substantial replacement (but not a full replacement) count as grandfathering or not?

The other owners would use this option if it was possible. I want to be fully compliant and so would need to replace all of the roof. It is of course more expensive.