The clearest signs your roof needs repairs are water stains on the ceiling, cracked or slipped tiles, cracked ridge pointing with mortar in the gutters, rusting valleys, and gutters that overflow in rain. Any one of these on an otherwise sound roof is usually a repair, not a restoration. The sooner it is fixed, the less water reaches the timbers, insulation and ceiling below.
The short answer
- Inside: ceiling stains, peeling paint, musty smells, damp insulation
- Tiles: cracked, broken or slipped out of line
- Ridges: cracked pointing, loose caps, mortar in the gutters
- Valleys and flashings: rust, gaps or lifted metal
- Gutters: overflowing, sagging or rusting
Signs inside the house
- Brown or yellow stains on ceilings, often spreading after rain
- Bubbling or peeling paint and sagging plaster
- Musty smells or mould in upstairs rooms and wardrobes
- Damp, flattened or stained insulation in the roof space
- Daylight showing through the tiles from inside the roof space
- Drips that appear only in wind-driven rain, which often point to ridge capping or flashings
If water is coming in now, see what to do when your roof leaks.
Signs on the roof
| Sign | Likely repair |
|---|---|
| Cracked, broken or slipped tiles | Tile replacement |
| Cracked or missing ridge pointing | Rebed and repoint |
| Mortar pieces in gutters | Rebed and repoint |
| Rust in valleys | Valley replacement |
| Lifted or rusted flashings | Flashing repair |
| Overflowing or sagging gutters | Clear, refix or replace |
You can see most of these from the ground with binoculars. Our guide to inspecting your roof safely walks through it.
Spotted one of these signs?
Send us a photo or book a free inspection and we will tell you what it means.
After storms and other trades
Check your roof after any storm with strong wind or hail, and after anyone has been on it to install solar panels, an antenna or an air conditioner. Cracked tiles and capping from foot traffic are common and easy to miss. Melbourne gets around 650 millimetres of rain a year over roughly 100 rain days, so small faults rarely stay small for long.
Sources: Bureau of Meteorology: Melbourne Regional Office climate averages.
Repair or restore?
| If you see | It is probably |
|---|---|
| One or two faults on an otherwise sound roof | A repair |
| Faults across the roof: cracked pointing on every ridge, faded tiles, rusty valleys | A restoration |
| Tiles crumbling or failing everywhere, sagging lines | A replacement |
See signs your roof needs restoration and restoration versus replacement.
Commercial and investment properties
The same signs apply on tiled roofs of rental and commercial properties, with an extra reason to act: tenants may not report a leak until the damage is visible. A routine look at the roof as part of property inspections, and a professional inspection every few years, catches problems early.
Why fix it now
A single cracked tile or a short run of failed pointing is a small job. Left for a few winters, the same fault can wet battens, insulation and ceilings and cost far more. Insurers also look at maintenance: Financial Counselling Australia has found many refused claims rely on wear-and-tear exclusions.
Sources: Financial Counselling Australia: Wear-and-tear exclusions.
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
What are the signs my roof needs repairs?
Ceiling stains, cracked or slipped tiles, cracked ridge pointing, mortar in the gutters, rusting valleys, lifted flashings and overflowing gutters.
Can a roof need repairs without leaking?
Yes. Cracked pointing, slipped tiles and rusting valleys often show before any water gets inside. Fixing them then is cheaper.
How do I check my roof for damage?
From the ground with binoculars, and from inside the roof space with a torch. Do not walk on the roof.
Should I check my roof after a storm?
Yes. Check ceilings and the ground for tile fragments, then the roof from the street. Photograph any damage for insurance.
When does a roof need restoring rather than repairing?
When faults are spread across the whole roof, such as cracked pointing on every ridge, faded tiles and rusting valleys.
Do tenants need to report roof leaks?
Landlords should make it easy for tenants to report leaks quickly and include the roof in routine property inspections.
Related
Sources: Bureau of Meteorology: Melbourne Regional Office climate averages; Financial Counselling Australia: Wear-and-tear exclusions.
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