Signs of Roof Damage - How to Detect and Address Issues Before They Escalate

Why Early Detection Matters

Roof damage rarely announces itself dramatically. In most cases, it develops gradually - a hairline crack here, a loosened fixing there, a slow degradation of sealant that eventually allows water through. By the time you notice water dripping from your ceiling, the damage behind the scenes may have been developing for months or even years.

Early detection is the key to keeping repair costs manageable. A problem caught early - before water has penetrated the roof cavity, saturated insulation, or damaged timber framing - is almost always simple and affordable to fix. The same problem left for a year or two can escalate into a major remediation project.

Exterior Signs You Can See from the Ground

You do not need to climb on your roof to spot many common signs of damage. A walk around your property with a careful upward look can reveal a lot:

Tile Roof Signs

• Cracked or broken tiles: Look for tiles with visible cracks, chips, or missing pieces. Even small cracks can admit water, especially during wind-driven rain.
• Displaced tiles: Tiles that have slipped out of position leave gaps. You may see the underlay or battens exposed beneath.
• Crumbling ridge cap mortar: Look at the ridgeline against the sky. If the mortar (pointing) between and around the ridge caps is cracked, crumbling, or missing, water is likely entering at those points.
• Moss and lichen growth: Significant green or white growth on tiles indicates moisture retention, which accelerates tile degradation - particularly in Canberra's freeze-thaw climate.
• Sagging tile lines: If horizontal tile lines appear wavy rather than straight, the battens underneath may be sagging due to moisture damage or age.

Metal Roof Signs

• Rust spots: Orange or brown discolouration on the roof surface indicates corrosion has broken through the protective coating. Check around fixings (screws), at overlaps, and along the bottom edges of sheets near the gutter.
• Lifted or displaced sheets: Look for sheets that appear to have lifted at the edges or at the ridge. Wind damage can lift sheets and break the seal at fixings.
• Visible screw heads: On concealed-fix roofs (standing seam profiles), you should not see any screws. If you can, fixings may have been disturbed.
• Paint chalking or peeling: Run your finger along the surface (if safely accessible). A chalky residue or visible peeling indicates the paint system is degrading and the underlying steel is becoming exposed.

General Signs (Both Roof Types)

• Damaged or lifted flashings: Check where the roof meets walls, chimneys, and other vertical surfaces. Flashings should sit flat and tight. Gaps or lifting indicate sealant failure.
• Debris in valleys: Look into the V-shaped channels where roof planes meet. Accumulated leaves and debris trap moisture and can cause blockages that lead to overflow and leaks.
• Sagging or overflowing gutters: Gutters that sag, pull away from the fascia, or overflow during rain are not doing their job and may be causing water damage to the roofline and walls.

Interior Signs of Roof Damage

Inside your home, several signs can indicate roof problems even when you cannot see the roof itself:

Ceiling Signs

• Water stains: Brown or yellowish rings or patches on the ceiling indicate water has been pooling above. Remember that the stain location may not align with the roof entry point - water travels along battens and rafters.
• Peeling or bubbling paint: When moisture gets behind paint, it loses adhesion. Recurring peeling in the same area strongly suggests an ongoing moisture source above.
• Sagging plasterboard: If a section of ceiling appears to bulge downward, water may be pooling in the ceiling cavity above. This is a serious concern - waterlogged plasterboard can collapse suddenly.

Roof Cavity Signs

If your home has a manhole providing access to the roof cavity, an annual check with a torch can reveal:

• Daylight visible through the roof (any point where light enters, water can follow)
• Water stains on the underside of the roof sheeting or on timber framing
• Damp, discoloured, or sagging insulation batts
• Mould or mildew on timber surfaces (dark spots or fuzzy growth)
• Rust or corrosion on the underside of metal roofing (from condensation)
• Evidence of pest activity - possum droppings, bird nests, or wasp nests

Wall and Window Signs

• Water marks on walls near the roofline: Particularly on walls below parapet flashings or where the roof meets a higher wall
• Damp smell in upper rooms: A persistent musty odour in rooms directly under the roof suggests moisture in the ceiling cavity
• Condensation on windows in upper rooms: While not directly a roof issue, excessive condensation can indicate poor ventilation that also affects the roof cavity

After-Storm Damage Assessment

After any significant weather event - hailstorm, high winds, heavy rain - do a thorough visual check from the ground. In Canberra, severe weather events are concentrated between October and March, but damaging winds can occur at any time of year.

After a storm, look for:

• Tiles or sheet metal on the ground around your home
• New dents visible on metal roofing
• Ridge caps that have shifted or fallen
• Gutters filled with debris or detached from the fascia
• Any new stains or drips inside the home

Document everything with photos before any clean-up or repair. This documentation is essential for insurance claims.

What to Do When You Find Damage

If you spot any of the signs described above, here is the recommended course of action:

• Do not go on the roof yourself. Falls from roofs are a leading cause of serious injury. Leave roof access to professionals with proper safety equipment.
• Document with photos. Take clear photos from the ground showing what you have observed. Note the date and weather conditions.
• Manage any active water entry. Place containers to catch drips, move valuables away, and if water is near electrical fittings, turn off that circuit at the switchboard.
• Contact a professional. Book an inspection to get a proper diagnosis and repair plan. For active leaks, request an urgent callout.
• Contact your insurer if needed. For storm damage or sudden events, notify your insurer early. Do not delay repairs waiting for insurance approval - most policies allow emergency repairs to prevent further damage.

Book a Damage Assessment

If you have noticed any signs of roof damage, do not wait for it to get worse. Our $99 inspections provide a comprehensive assessment of your entire roof with a detailed report and photos. For suspected storm damage, we also provide reports suitable for insurance claims. Call (02) 5133 5608 or book online. We cover all ACT suburbs, 7 days a week.