What Kingston's setting does to roofs
Rain off the Wellington Range
Kingborough's emergency plan puts rainfall at 800mm to 1,200mm a year, with extreme falls possible from easterly weather in summer and autumn. Browns River rises after heavy rain in the Wellington Range and drops quickly once it stops.
May 2018
Flash flooding hit Kingston and Blackmans Bay along with much of Hobart, which had 128 mm in 24 hours.
Hills and bush
Kingston sits between and around several hills, and Kingborough has extensive native vegetation, mostly open dry forest and grassland in the north and east. Under the Tasmanian Planning Scheme, land within 100 m of 1 ha or more of bushfire-prone vegetation counts as bushfire-prone where there's no council map.
No surf, but exposed water
Kingston Beach sits on the Derwent estuary at the mouth of Browns Rivulet, well south of the Tasman Bridge. There's no surf, but BlueScope classes this part of the river as exposed water, which matters when choosing metal roofing near the shore.
Mostly houses
In 2021, 89.1% of occupied homes were separate houses and 10.0% townhouses or similar, out of 5,114 private dwellings. The Southern Outlet opened in 1969 and became a full dual carriageway in 1990 as Kingston grew.
Roof jobs that matter most in Kingston
Water management comes first. When rain arrives hard and fast, any gutter that's half full of leaves overflows, and homes near bush fill their gutters quicker. Gutter cleaning before winter, and making sure downpipes and stormwater connections run freely, are the small jobs that head off big ones.
If gutters overflow even when they're clean, the answer may be bigger outlets, extra downpipes or new gutters. Gutter replacement in Hobart and roof plumbing in Hobart cover that work.
We don't have published Hobart prices.
After a big storm, look from the ground for slipped tiles, lifted sheets or bent flashing, and check ceilings for stains. Roof repairs in Hobart explains what a roofer will look for.
If a storm is coming, or has just passed
Clear what you safely can, early
Gutters and downpipes you can reach from a ladder on firm ground. Leave the roof itself to a roofer.
Watch the ceilings
Stains, drips or a sagging patch mean water is getting in. Stay out of any room where the ceiling is sagging.
Cut the power if water is near lights
Turn it off at the switchboard if water is anywhere near light fittings or power points.
Call the SES for emergencies
For storm damage that can't wait, call the SES on 132 500. Anything else can be assessed by a roofer once the weather clears.
How we'd handle a Kingston roof
We'd put money into gutters and downpipes before anything cosmetic. Get them cleared before winter, ask a roofer whether they can cope with a heavy burst, and upgrade outlets or downpipes if they can't. A roof that sheds water quickly is worth more in Kingston than a fresh coat of paint.
Want a roofer to take a look?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match it with a Find My Roofer certified roofer who specialises in that kind of work, and they call you to quote. Your number goes to them alone.