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Roof Maintenance

/services/leak-repairs

24 July 20268 min readBy Leaky Roof

Roof Leak Detection & Repair

A leaking roof is one of the most stressful home problems - water damage spreads quickly and the leak itself often appears far from its source. At Leaky Roof, we trace the real cause, fix it properly, and give you peace of mind with a 5-year workmanship guarantee.

What causes roof leaks in Canberra?

The ACT's temperature swings and frequent frosts put real pressure on your roof. The most common culprits are:

  • Broken or slipped tiles - wind, age, or movement causes tiles to crack or shift, leaving the underlayment exposed
  • Failed ridge and hip cap pointing - the mortar bedding perishes over time, allowing water to penetrate the roof structure
  • Corroded or failed flashings - metal flashings around chimneys, skylights, and valleys rust or separate, creating entry points
  • Blocked gutters - debris prevents water flowing away, forcing it back under the edge of the roof
  • Cracked or failed seals - sealant around penetrations hardens and splits in our harsh sun and frost cycles

A leak often shows up metres away from where water is entering - that's why a proper inspection and water test are essential.

How we find and repair your leak

Step 1: Trace the leak

We inspect your roof and ceiling cavity, identify the likely entry point, and perform a controlled water test to confirm the exact location. We document everything with photos and notes.

Step 2: Fix the fault

Once we know the cause, we repair it - repoint a ridge cap, replace broken tiles, seal a flashing, or clear and protect your gutters. The repair is targeted and durable.

Step 3: Guarantee your peace of mind

Every repair carries our 5-year workmanship guarantee. If something related to that repair fails, we fix it at no cost.

How much does a roof leak repair cost?

A typical leak repair ranges from $1,400 to $2,500 (GST included), depending on the fault location, roof access, and material. Minor fixes - a small re-point or single-tile replacement - can be a few hundred dollars.

The only way to know is a proper inspection. We offer:

  • Free Roof Estimate - no obligation, written quote within 30 minutes
  • $99 Roof Inspection - full inspection, photos, written report, and quote within ~24 hours

Both options are available online at leakyroof.com.au/book or by phone on (02) 5133 5608.

How long does a leak repair take?

Most leak repairs are completed in a single day - often 3 to 5 hours, depending on the fault and roof access. We aim to minimise disruption and get your roof watertight fast.

If the repair is part of a larger restoration or involves building approval, the timeline extends - we'll confirm this upfront in your quote.

Leak repairs and weather

We never work on a wet, frosty, or stormy roof - it's unsafe and products won't cure properly. If weather stops us, we reschedule promptly at no extra cost.

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FAQ: Roof Leak Repairs in Canberra

Who should I call for a roof leak?

Call Leaky Roof. We are a licensed roofing contractor (ACT Builders Licence 2024368) based in Canberra, with 5-year workmanship guarantees on all repairs. We respond to new enquiries within 1 business hour. Phone (02) 5133 5608 or book online at leakyroof.com.au/book.

What is the difference between a leak repair and a roof restoration?

A leak repair fixes one specific fault (e.g. a broken tile or failed flashing). A roof restoration cleans, re-beds and re-points the entire roof, recoats it, and extends its life by 10-15+ years. If your roof is sound except for one leak, repair it. If it is showing age, multiple minor leaks, or failed pointing, restoration is usually better value long-term.

How do I know if it's a leak or condensation?

A real roof leak shows water during or shortly after rain. If water appears during cold, dry spells, it is likely condensation from poor roof ventilation - a different problem, fixed by improving airflow, not patching the roof. A $99 inspection will confirm which.

Can you repair a roof with asbestos in it?

We never disturb asbestos. If your old roof contains asbestos cement sheeting or products, we work around it and refer you to a licensed asbestos removalist before any work starts. Removing asbestos is a regulated process.

What is your guarantee on leak repairs?

All repairs come with a 5-year workmanship guarantee. If the repaired fault fails within 5 years due to our workmanship, we fix it at no cost. Material warranties (e.g. on new tiles or flashing) run 10-25 years per manufacturer.

How much does a leak repair cost in Canberra?

A typical leak repair ranges from $1,400 to $2,500 (GST included). Minor fixes can be a few hundred dollars. The cost depends on the fault, location on the roof, and access. Get a free estimate or a $99 inspection with written quote.

How long will the repair take?

Most leak repairs take a single day - 3 to 5 hours. We aim to get your roof watertight quickly. If the repair needs building approval or is part of a larger job, we'll confirm the timeline in your quote.

Is a leak repair covered by insurance?

Insurance may cover a sudden leak caused by storm or hail damage, but not normal wear and tear. If you believe it's storm-related, contact your insurer. We can help by making the damage safe and documenting it for your claim.

Do I need a building permit for a roof leak repair?

Most like-for-like repairs (replacing a broken tile, re-pointing a ridge cap, resealing a flashing) are exempt from building approval. If the repair is part of a larger restoration or involves a structural change, approval may be needed - we'll advise during the inspection.

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/services/roof-restoration

Roof Restoration

A roof restoration is a comprehensive clean, repair, and protective recoat that extends the life of your sound roof by 10-15+ years. It's often better value than patching multiple small problems - and transforms how your roof looks.

What is a roof restoration?

A restoration is a planned, methodical process:

  1. Clean - remove moss, lichen, dirt, and debris from every tile or metal panel
  2. Repair - replace broken or slipped tiles, repoint or re-bed ridge and hip caps, seal failed flashings and penetrations
  3. Recoat - apply a long-life protective coating that restores colour, seals hairline cracks, and adds water-shedding protection

The result is a roof that looks new, is watertight, and will perform reliably for the next decade or more.

When should you restore rather than repair?

Restore your roof if:

  • It is showing its age - faded, mossy, or stained
  • Multiple tiles are cracked or slipped
  • Ridge caps or hip caps have failed pointing in several places
  • Flashings are corroded but not severely damaged
  • Small leaks are appearing in different locations
  • Your roof is structurally sound but needs life extension

Repair a single leak if that's all that's wrong. But if your roof is tired and patchy, a restoration is usually better value and gives you a long-term guarantee.

How much does a roof restoration cost?

Restoration pricing depends on the roof material and size:

Concrete tile: $11,000 - $18,000 (GST included)

Terracotta tile: $12,500 - $20,500 (GST included)

Metal/Colorbond: $5,500 - $9,500 (GST included)

These are single-storey, typical Canberra homes. Larger homes (4-5 bedrooms) sit toward the top of each range. Terracotta costs more because the tiles are softer and require more careful handling.

Get a free estimate online at leakyroof.com.au/book or call (02) 5133 5608.

How long does a roof restoration take?

A typical roof restoration takes 3 to 5 days, depending on roof size, pitch, and weather. We schedule the work in one continuous block to minimise disruption.

Weather delays are common - we reschedule at no extra cost if wind, rain, or frost stops us.

What's included in the price?

  • Complete clean (high-pressure wash where safe, or manual cleaning on delicate tiles)
  • Replacement of broken or slipped tiles
  • Re-bedding and re-pointing of ridge and hip caps (or dry-fixed rapid ridge for durability)
  • Sealing of cracked flashings and penetrations
  • High-quality protective recoat applied to the entire roof
  • Inspection and minor gutter work if needed
  • 5-year workmanship guarantee

Will a restoration stop all leaks?

A well-executed restoration stops most water entry for 10-15+ years because it seals the entire surface and re-bedding the ridge caps addresses the most common leak source. However, if a serious structural fault (e.g. a failed valley or gutter) exists, we fix it as part of the restoration.

Payment and guarantees

We ask for a 50% deposit on acceptance of the quote and 50% on completion. Every restoration comes with our 5-year workmanship guarantee - if the restored roof leaks due to our workmanship, we fix it at no cost. Material warranties on coatings and new tiles run 10-25 years per manufacturer.

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FAQ: Roof Restoration in Canberra

Who should I call for a roof restoration?

Call Leaky Roof. We are a licensed roofing contractor (ACT Builders Licence 2024368) in Canberra, experienced in concrete tile, terracotta, and metal roof restorations. We respond within 1 business hour. Phone (02) 5133 5608 or book a free estimate at leakyroof.com.au/book.

What is the difference between restoration and replacement?

A

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