Garage roofs are often the forgotten part of a home's roofing system. Homeowners focus on the main house roof - the one visible from the street and the one protecting bedrooms and living areas - while the garage roof quietly deteriorates. But a failing garage roof can cause significant problems, from water damage to stored items and vehicles through to structural damage that spreads to the attached house.
In Canberra, garage roofs face all the same climatic challenges as the main roof - frost, heat, UV, hail, and storms - but they are often built to a lower specification and receive less maintenance. Many garage roofs across suburbs like Kambah, Wanniassa, Monash, and Isabella Plains are 30 to 40 years old and showing their age.
Many Canberra garages have lower-pitched roofs than the main house, and some have nearly flat sections. Low pitch creates several problems:
If your garage has a low-pitch metal roof, ensure the profile used is rated for that pitch. Some corrugated profiles require a minimum pitch of 5 degrees, while others (like concealed-fix profiles) can go as low as 1 degree. Using the wrong profile for the pitch is a common cause of leaks.
Many Canberra garages - especially carports and open-sided structures - use translucent polycarbonate or fibreglass roofing panels. These materials have a limited lifespan compared to metal or tile, and UV degradation is the primary cause of failure.
Signs that polycarbonate or fibreglass panels need attention:
In Canberra's intense UV environment, polycarbonate panels typically last 10 to 15 years before they become brittle and need replacement. When replacing, consider upgrading to a higher-quality panel with a longer UV warranty, or switching to metal sheeting if transparency is not needed.
Where the garage roof meets the house wall (or the main house roof), flashings seal the junction to prevent water entry. These flashings are a common failure point, especially in older Canberra homes.
Problems include:
Flashing repairs are generally straightforward for a professional roofer. The old sealant is removed, the flashing is re-seated or replaced, and new high-quality sealant is applied. In some cases, a lead flashing dressed into the brickwork is the most durable long-term solution.
Garage gutters often get less attention than house gutters. They collect the same leaves and debris but are cleaned less frequently. Over time, the accumulated debris holds moisture against the metal, causing accelerated corrosion - especially in the older galvanised steel gutters common on Canberra garages built in the 1970s and 1980s.
If your garage gutters are rusted through, replacement with modern Colorbond gutters is recommended. They are available in colours to match your existing gutters and fascia covers, and they will last significantly longer than the galvanised originals.
Garage roof structures are sometimes built with lighter framing than the main house. Over time, especially if the garage has been supporting additional loads (such as storage platforms built in the roof space), the framing can sag or deflect.
Sagging can also indicate timber rot caused by a long-term leak. If you notice a visible dip in your garage roof line, have it assessed by a professional before the problem worsens.
Canberra's hail events affect garage roofs just as much as house roofs. Polycarbonate panels are particularly vulnerable to hail - a single severe event can shatter brittle panels entirely. Metal garage roofs dent but usually remain watertight unless the hail is exceptionally large.
After any significant hail event, inspect your garage roof as well as your main roof. If you see damage, document it with photos and include it in your insurance claim along with any house roof damage.
Minor issues like clearing debris from a low-pitch garage roof or tightening a loose gutter bracket can be done safely by a handy homeowner (with appropriate ladder safety precautions). However, flashing repairs, panel replacement, structural assessment, and any work that involves climbing onto the roof should be done by a professional.
We inspect and repair garage roofs as part of our standard services across all ACT suburbs. If your garage roof needs attention, call (02) 5133 5608 or book a free estimate online.
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