Your roof needs restoring when the tiles are still sound but the parts around them are failing: cracked ridge pointing, faded and porous concrete tiles, lichen build-up, rusting valleys and the odd broken tile. Caught at that stage, a restoration brings the roof back for a fraction of the cost of a new one. Wait until tiles are failing across the whole roof and the money is better spent on replacement.
The short answer
- Cracked or missing ridge pointing and mortar in the gutters
- Faded, chalky or porous concrete tiles
- Heavy lichen and moss
- Rusting valleys and a few broken or slipped tiles
- Ceiling stains after heavy rain
Signs your roof needs restoring
- Cracked or missing ridge pointing: the most common first sign on Melbourne roofs. Mortar pieces in the gutters mean the bedding is going too.
- Faded or porous concrete tiles: once the surface coating has worn away, tiles absorb water and grow lichen faster.
- Lichen and moss: heavy growth holds moisture against the tiles and blocks water flow in valleys.
- Rusting valleys: the metal channels between roof slopes carry the most water and rust from the inside out.
- Broken or slipped tiles: a few here and there, not across the whole roof.
- Stains after rain: water marks on ceilings, especially near ridge lines or valleys.
You can spot most of these from the ground. Our guide to inspecting your roof safely shows how.
Restore, or is it past that?
| Restore when | Replace when |
|---|---|
| Tiles are sound, with only scattered breaks | Tiles are cracking, crumbling or flaking across the roof |
| Problems are in the pointing, valleys and coating | Battens or the frame are sagging or rotten |
| Leaks come from specific places | Leaks keep appearing in new places despite repairs |
| The roof line is straight | The roof line sags |
Our guide to roof restoration versus replacement goes into the decision in detail.
Seeing these signs?
Book a free inspection and we will tell you whether your roof needs restoring.
What a restoration fixes
- CleanLichen, moss and grime removed with a method suited to the tile.
- RepairBroken tiles replaced with matched tiles from our yards; rusted valleys replaced.
- Rebed and repointRidge and hip capping relaid where needed and sealed with flexible pointing.
- CoatConcrete tiles get a four-coat system: primer, two colour coats and a protectant.
- WarrantyEvery Royce restoration carries a 7-year warranty.
Why timing matters
Restoring early is cheaper than restoring late. A roof with cracked pointing and faded tiles is a straightforward restoration. Leave it a few more winters and water gets under the capping, wets the battens and ceiling, and broken tiles multiply. Published Melbourne figures put a tiled roof restoration at about $4,200 to $11,550, against about $105 to $230 per square metre to re-roof in tiles. See the full roof restoration cost guide.
These are market ranges from published Australian price guides, not Royce Roofing prices. Every roof is different. We give you a fixed written quote after a free inspection.
Sources: What’s The Damage: Roofing costs in Melbourne (October 2026).
Concrete and terracotta roofs
Concrete tile roofs usually show their age through the surface: fading, chalking and lichen, which a recoat fixes. Terracotta keeps its colour, so its signs are more often cracked tiles, failing pointing and valleys; a terracotta restoration is usually a clean and repair rather than a repaint. See terracotta roof repairs.
What to do next
Book a free inspection. We get on the roof with our own safety rail, photograph what we find, and tell you straight whether it needs a repair, a restoration, a replacement or nothing yet, with a fixed written quote.
WorkSafe Victoria’s compliance code for housing construction puts edge protection such as guard railing ahead of harnesses and ladders when controlling the risk of falls from a roof. Our crews set up our own temporary safety rail, ladder guards and, where there are old skylights, safety nets before anyone works on the roof. Every crew member holds a working at heights qualification.
Common questions
How do I know if my roof needs restoring?
Look for cracked ridge pointing, mortar in the gutters, faded or porous concrete tiles, heavy lichen, rusting valleys, a few broken tiles and ceiling stains after rain.
What is the first sign a tiled roof needs work?
On Melbourne roofs it is usually cracked or missing ridge pointing, often with pieces of mortar showing up in the gutters.
Is it worth restoring an old roof?
If the tiles and frame are sound, yes. A restoration costs a fraction of a re-roof and comes with a warranty; Royce restorations carry 7 years.
When is a roof too far gone to restore?
When tiles are failing across the whole roof, the roof line sags, or leaks keep appearing despite repairs. Then replacement is better value.
How much does a roof restoration cost?
Published Melbourne figures put a tiled roof restoration at about $4,200 to $11,550, with around $7,900 typical, including GST.
Do terracotta roofs need restoring?
Yes, but usually as a clean and repair: replacing cracked tiles, rebedding and repointing, and valleys, rather than painting.
Related
Sources: What’s The Damage: Roofing costs in Melbourne (October 2026).
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