The point of maintaining a new roof
A new roof is designed to last for decades, but how long it actually lasts depends a great deal on what happens in those decades. Sydney Roofs Repair arranges roof work across metropolitan Sydney, and many of the repairs our contractors see on younger roofs trace back to simple things: blocked gutters, overhanging trees and damage from other trades. This routine keeps those problems away.
In the first few weeks
- Walk around the house and look at the roof from the street and garden. Check that flashings are neat, ridges are straight and there is no leftover debris.
- Check the gutters for offcuts, screws and metal swarf from installation. Swarf left on a steel roof rusts and can stain the surface.
- Look in the roof space with a torch after the first heavy rain. Check for daylight and damp.
- File the paperwork. Keep the contract, invoices, product names, colours and warranty documents together.
Every season
Gutters, valleys and downpipes
Clear leaves and debris before spring storm season and again before autumn rains. Sydney's street trees drop leaves at different times of year, so homes under trees may need more frequent attention. Make sure downpipes flow freely and stormwater pits are clear.
Trees
Trim back branches that overhang the roof. They drop leaves and twigs into valleys and gutters, and in strong winds they can scrape coatings or break tiles. On bushfire-prone land, keeping the roof and gutters clear also reduces ember risk.
Coastal rinsing
On steel roofs near the harbour or ocean, salt builds up in sheltered areas that rain does not wash, such as under eaves overhangs and on the underside of gutters. Manufacturers commonly recommend rinsing these areas with fresh water from time to time. Use a garden hose from the ground, not a pressure washer.
After storms
After any big storm, hail or strong wind, look at the roof from the ground. Check for lifted sheets or flashings, broken tiles, debris and dented gutters. Look in the roof space for damp. If you see damage, photograph it and arrange an inspection. Do not climb onto a wet roof.
Keeping other trades in line
Solar installers, air-conditioning technicians, antenna installers and painters all go onto roofs. Before they start, ask how they will access the roof and protect it, and check afterwards. On tile roofs, cracked tiles are common after other trades. On steel roofs, watch for:
- Swarf left behind after drilling.
- Copper pipes or lead flashings draining onto the steel.
- New penetrations sealed with silicone rather than proper flashing.
Every year or two: a professional check
A roofing contractor can check the things you cannot safely reach:
- Ridge and hip capping, bedding and pointing on tile roofs.
- Fixings and laps on steel roofs.
- Flashings at walls, chimneys and penetrations.
- Valleys and box gutters.
- Condition of sarking and insulation from the roof space.
Small faults found early are cheap to fix.
Tile roofs specifically
New tile roofs need little beyond gutter and valley care. Avoid walking on the tiles. Over the years, ridge pointing will eventually need renewing. Lichen growth is mostly cosmetic on terracotta but should be kept away from valleys and laps.
Steel roofs specifically
Keep debris off the roof, because wet leaves held against steel shorten its life. Keep incompatible metals away. Do not use abrasive cleaners or pressure washers. Touch up scratches only with the manufacturer's recommended product, as the wrong paint can make things worse.
Warranties
Product warranties on roofing materials often depend on correct installation and reasonable maintenance, such as keeping gutters clear and rinsing sheltered areas near the coast. Read the warranty conditions for your product and keep evidence of maintenance, such as dated invoices from gutter cleaning.
A first-year maintenance calendar
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| First week | Walk around, check gutters for swarf and offcuts, file paperwork |
| First heavy rain | Look in the roof space for damp or daylight |
| Before spring storms | Clear gutters and valleys; check downpipes |
| After any severe storm | Look from the ground for damage; check the roof space |
| Before autumn | Clear leaves again, especially under deciduous trees |
| End of first year | Book a professional check of fixings, flashings and ridges |
After the first year, repeat the seasonal tasks and book a professional check every year or two.
Mistakes that shorten a new roof's life
- Letting a solar or antenna installer walk the roof without asking how they will protect it.
- Allowing copper pipes or lead flashing from other work to drain onto steel.
- Pressure-washing pre-painted steel or concrete tiles.
- Leaving gutters full of leaves through the storm season.
- Painting over scratches with the wrong product.
- Ignoring a small drip because the roof is new and "should be fine".
When to call
If you notice a leak, damp insulation, rust spots, lifted flashings or broken tiles, have it looked at promptly. See our roof repairs page, or read about common roof issues in Sydney homes.
General information for Sydney property owners. It does not replace an inspection of your roof, and rules change: check with your council, NSW Fair Trading or SafeWork NSW as relevant before acting.