Spring is a good time to prepare your roof for Australia's storm season. After months of winter rain, wind and changing weather, your roof may have minor damage that could become a much bigger problem during a severe storm.
Checking your roof before storm season can help you spot damaged tiles, blocked drainage, loose materials and other issues while there's still time to fix them.
So, how do you prepare your roof for storm season?
Start with a visual inspection from the ground, check your gutters and roof drainage, look for signs of leaks and arrange professional repairs for anything that looks damaged or unsafe.
Roof maintenance is just one part of preparing your home for warmer weather. For a broader checklist, check out our spring home maintenance checklist.
You don't need to climb onto your roof to start checking its condition.
Walk around your property and look up at the roof from different angles. Check for anything that looks loose, damaged or out of place.
Keep an eye out for:
If something looks unusual, make a note of it rather than trying to investigate from the roof yourself.
A professional roofer can carry out a closer inspection and determine whether repairs are needed.
A roof doesn't have to have a major hole in it to cause water damage.
Small cracks, damaged flashing, failed seals and loose roofing materials can allow water to enter during heavy rainfall.
Inside your home, check ceilings, walls and the roof cavity for signs such as:
If you've noticed signs of a leak, don't wait until the next storm to see whether it gets worse.
Finding and repairing the source early can help prevent further damage to your home.
Tiled roofs can be particularly vulnerable to damage from strong winds, falling branches and general wear and tear.
From the ground, look for tiles that are cracked, broken, missing or visibly displaced.
Don't try to walk across your roof to replace a tile yourself. Roof surfaces can be slippery and fragile, and working at height creates an unnecessary safety risk.
If you notice damaged tiles, a roofing professional can inspect the roof and replace or repair the affected areas.
If your home has a metal roof, check for obvious signs of deterioration.
Look for rust, corrosion, loose fasteners, damaged sheets and areas where the roof appears to be lifting or separating.
Pay attention to roof edges and areas around penetrations such as vents and skylights.
Minor damage may not seem urgent during dry weather, but strong winds and heavy rain can make existing weaknesses worse.
If you're unsure whether your roof is storm-ready, getting it professionally inspected can give you a clearer idea of what needs attention.
Your roof and guttering work together to move rainwater away from your home.
Leaves, twigs and other debris can accumulate in gutters and downpipes, particularly over winter. If water can't drain properly, gutters may overflow during heavy rain.
Before storm season, check that:
If your gutters are difficult or dangerous to access, have them professionally cleaned.
For more information, check out our guide on gutter cleaning in spring.
Flashing helps direct water away from vulnerable areas of your roof, including joins, valleys, chimneys and other penetrations.
Damaged, loose or deteriorating flashing can create opportunities for water to get inside.
From the ground, look for anything that appears loose or damaged. You can also check inside your roof cavity for signs of water entry.
Flashing repairs can be difficult to identify and safely complete without roofing experience, so it's best to have a professional handle repairs where necessary.
Branches, leaves and other debris can accumulate on roofs, particularly when trees are close to your property.
Don't ignore debris simply because it looks harmless. Organic material can retain moisture, block drainage and contribute to deterioration over time.
If branches are touching your roof or large amounts of debris have accumulated, organise the appropriate professional to remove them safely.
Avoid climbing onto the roof yourself, particularly if it is wet or steep.
Trees can become a serious concern during storms.
Dead or unstable branches close to your roof can break during strong winds and damage tiles, metal roofing, gutters, windows or other parts of your property.
Look at trees around your home and identify branches that:
Don't attempt to remove large branches yourself. A qualified arborist can assess the tree and determine what pruning or other work is appropriate.
Spring is also a good time to think about what's happening inside your roof cavity.
Poor ventilation can contribute to condensation and moisture problems, while inadequate insulation and ventilation can affect how comfortable your home is during warmer weather.
Look for signs of excess moisture, mould or dampness in accessible areas of the roof cavity.
If you're concerned about ventilation, insulation or moisture, have the roof cavity assessed by an appropriately qualified professional.
Anything that creates an opening through your roof can potentially become a point where water enters.
Check visible skylights, vents, chimneys and other roof penetrations for obvious damage, cracked seals or signs of leaks.
Inside the home, look around these areas for water stains or dampness.
Don't attempt to reseal or repair a difficult-to-access roof penetration without the appropriate experience. A roofing professional can identify whether the problem is with the seal, flashing or another part of the roof.
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners can make is assuming a small roofing problem can wait.
A single cracked tile or small section of damaged flashing might not cause noticeable problems during light rain. During a severe storm, however, existing damage can become much more significant.
If you've identified a problem, get it assessed and repaired before the weather turns.
It's generally easier to organise a roofer when you're dealing with a small repair than after a storm has caused widespread damage.
Not every roof problem can be spotted from the ground. Consider arranging a professional inspection if your roof is older, you've experienced leaks, you've recently had severe weather or you can see obvious signs of damage.
A roofer can inspect areas that aren't easily visible and identify problems that may not yet be causing symptoms inside your home.
Professional inspections are particularly useful if you're unsure about the condition of your roof or you're preparing to sell or renovate your property.
If your inspection uncovers cracked tiles, leaks, damaged flashing or other problems, don't wait until storm season is in full swing to organise repairs.
You can use ServiceSeeking.com.au to find local roofers and other tradies for jobs around your home. Post the work you need done, receive quotes and compare your options before choosing a professional.
For smaller jobs, such as gutter cleaning or branch removal, you can also find the relevant local professionals through ServiceSeeking.
Preparing your roof for storm season is mostly about getting ahead of problems.
Check your roof from the ground, clear your gutters, look for signs of leaks, keep nearby trees under control and get any significant damage assessed before severe weather arrives.
And don't stop at the roof. Your gutters, exterior walls, windows, drainage and outdoor structures can all be affected by winter weather and summer storms.
For the complete list of jobs to tackle around your property, go back to our spring home maintenance checklist. A little preparation now can help you avoid discovering a roofing problem in the middle of the next big storm.