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Roofing guidesPlain answers before you call anyone.
Most roof questions start with something going wrong: a drip, a storm, a quote that doesn't make sense. These guides answer them in plain English, tell you what's safe to do yourself, and tell you when it's time for a roofer.
Where to start
If water is coming in right now, go straight to what to do in the first hour. Safety and a bucket come before anything else.
If you've had a storm or hail, read how to handle a storm damage claim before you agree to any repairs. If you're weighing up a big job, restoration or replacement is the decision most people get stuck on, and roofing quotes explained helps you compare what you're offered.
Every guide is written by our team and checked against published sources, which we list at the bottom of each page.
Guides
Leaks and water damage
How to fix a roof leakWhat fixing a roof leak really involves, what you can safely do yourself, and how to make the repair last.How to find a roof leakNarrow down where your roof is leaking using timing, the stain and a look from the ground, without going up.Roof leaking in heavy rain?Dry in light rain, leaking in a downpour? Usually something is overflowing. What to check and how it's fixed.Roof leaking right now?Water coming through the ceiling tonight? Safety first, then the bucket, then photos.Why tile roofs leakHow a tiled roof sheds water, the joins and edges where it usually leaks, and what's harmless.Why metal roofs leakMatch the drip to the cause on a metal or Colorbond roof, from screws and laps to condensation.Leaking gutters and downpipesDripping joints, rust holes, overflow or water behind the fascia: how to tell which, and how each is fixed.Roof valley leaksHow to tell a leak is coming from a roof valley, why valleys fail, and how to keep them clear.Leaks after solar panels go inRoof leaking since the solar went in? The usual causes, what to record, and who should fix it.Condensation or a leak?Is that ceiling stain condensation or a roof leak? How to tell, and what fixes each.Does insurance cover roof leaks?Storm damage or wear and tear? How insurers commonly see roof leaks, and what to do before you claim.
Guides
Asbestos roofs
Is my roof asbestos?Build date, Super Six, cement slates and eaves: how to tell if your roof could be asbestos.Super Six asbestos roofingCorrugated asbestos cement on houses and sheds: how to spot Super Six and deal with it safely.Asbestos cement sheeting (fibro)Fibro eaves, gables and sheds: where asbestos sheeting hides and who can remove it in your state.Can you paint an asbestos roof?Sealing an asbestos roof: what's legal, what's safe, who should do it and when to replace instead.
Guides
Choosing a roofer and reading quotes
How to choose a rooferLicence, insurance, a written quote and the red flags: how to pick a roofer you won't regret.Roofing quotes explainedWhat a roofing quote should say, how to compare two, and each state's deposit and contract rules.How to check a roofer's licenceWho licenses roofers in each state, the dollar thresholds, and the register to search.
Guides
Repairs, upgrades and big decisions
Cracked roof tilesA few cracked tiles or cracks everywhere? How to judge it from the ground, and when to repair, restore or replace.Rusty metal roof?Surface rust, rust at the screws or rust right through? How to judge it, and what to do about each.Restoration or replacement?Sound covering, restore. Worn-out covering, replace. How to tell which roof you've got.Colorbond or tiles?Steel or tiles? Weight, pitch, coast, heat, noise and lifespan compared for your house.The best roof insulation for your homeBatts, foil or blanket? The right R-value for your climate zone, and the safety checks first.The best gutter guard for your roofMesh, plastic or ember guard? How to pick by roof profile, gutters, trees and bushfire risk.Skylights for pitched roofsTube or light shaft, how big to go and the flashing that keeps it dry, for pitched roofs.