Whether you’ve noticed water damage on your ceiling or you’re dealing with the fallout of our unpredictable Australian weather, a leaking roof is never good news.
But how can you be sure there’s a leak? Should you try to fix it yourself? What will your home insurance cover? How much do roof leak repairs cost?
For the answers to these pressing questions and more on what you need to know about dealing with a leaking roof, read on.
What causes a leaking roof?
Shane Keating, Executive Director of Building Policy at the Housing Industry Association (HIA), says roof leaks can often occur in older buildings.
“It could be degradation of building products, it could be the wrong material was used, or your existing roof has just outlived its useful life,” Keating explains.
Leaking roofs can also be caused by severe weather events, such as hail or heavy storms.1 Keating says “these weather-related leaks can be due to heavy rainfall or debris, hail blocking gutters, downpipes or rainheads – or damage resulting from fallen branches and trees.”
“Those sorts of things can lead to water spilling back over the base of the gutter, into the eave lining and then back into the cavity – and into the home,” he adds.
Some roof leaks may be traced back to construction issues, like poor house design or faulty workmanship. This could present as gutters that don’t have the right angle to drain water or cracked roof tiles caused by the installation of a TV antenna or air-conditioning.2
What does a leaking roof look like?
In the case of heavy rain or storm damage, Keating says a leaking roof will usually be immediately evident.
“You’d see ponding, dark staining, paint blistering, dripping, or notice a musty odour, smells, that sort of thing," he says.
Slow or small water leaks, however, may be harder to detect.
“It (the leak) would probably manifest itself as staining on the roof in the first place,” Keating explains. “Over time, if it was left unaddressed, it could lead to blistering and musty smells.”
Other ways to check for a roof leak include inspecting the outside of the roof for visible signs of damage, such as cracks, missing shingles or areas where the roof appears to sag.1 Spraying sections of your roof with a garden hose, while someone else inside watches for leaks, might also help find the location of a leak.1
Do I have to fix a roof leak?
While roof leaks may not generally be as urgent as gas leaks, they can still cause significant damage in a short amount of time.3
“If the problem isn’t addressed, it can have a cascading effect and a cascading cost,” Keating warns.
“Internal building products aren’t intended to deal with moisture. Therefore, moisture which is finding its way into those cavities or interstitial spaces, if left unaddressed, has the potential to degrade a lot of those materials.”
Keating says this water damage could reduce the performance of your home’s insulation, lead to rot and fungal decay of materials such as timber and plasterboard, and may even cause mould.
Signs of mould exposure include a runny nose, eye and skin irritation, wheezing, and asthma attacks in people with asthma.4
What if I’m a tenant?
“If you’re renting, it’s your legal obligation to report any water damage you notice to your landlord right away,” says Sydney-based property lawyer and podcaster Amanda Farmer.
“The best thing a tenant can do is take a photo or video recording of the damage and send it to their landlord or property manager immediately, noting the location, when it was noticed, and if possible, the cause,” says Farmer.
Residential tenancy regulations may differ depending on where you live so it might be worth checking with the tenants’ rights organisation in your state or territory to understand your rights as to what happens next. However, across Australia, the landlord is generally responsible for taking on the cost of urgent property repairs such as water damage and serious roof leaks5 and for attending to them within a reasonable time.
How to fix a leaking roof
Immediately after you notice a leak, Keating suggests putting a bucket or large container under the leak and removing your belongings from the affected area. If the leak is caused by a storm, covering it with a tarp or plastic sheeting may help prevent or reduce water damage.1
Next, Keating advises getting a professional in to assess the damage. Not only will you avoid taking unnecessary safety risks in investigating the problem yourself, but roof leaks can also be tricky to diagnose.
“While leaks manifest themselves in one room of the house, the water could be penetrating in a more remote place,” he explains. “So, you do need some degree of experience with leak repairs or buildings to be able to diagnose that type of situation.”
Keating says “contractors will likely perform tests to diagnose the issue before advising what work might be needed. While roof leak repair costs can vary depending on the extent of the damage and whether, for instance, you have metal roofing or shingles – as a rule of thumb, it’s generally cheaper to fix a leak when it’s first discovered than when it’s been left unaddressed.”
Will my home insurance cover a leaking roof?
“The exact situations under which a leak is covered by your insurer will depend on your policy,” explains Mervyn Hartley, Youi’s Head of Product for Home Insurance.
For example, Youi’s Building insurance policies provide cover for roof damage caused by storm, as well as loss or damage caused by escaping water, whether it occurs suddenly or slowly over time and you couldn’t reasonably be aware of it.6 However, some events may not be covered, so it’s important to read your PDS and policy carefully.6
“If you need to make a claim, it's important to get in touch with your insurer as soon as possible. This may help prevent further damage to your property and, if applicable, avoid an additional excess,” Hartley adds.
Preventing roof leaks
Keating says that roofs are generally designed to be largely maintenance-free, but regularly cleaning and maintaining your gutters can help to prevent leaks.
Other preventative steps can include trimming back trees near your home and regularly checking your roof to ensure all materials are intact and secured.7
Storm emergency
Severe weather can arrive unannounced, causing damage that demands urgent action. If you’re caught in a storm emergency and someone's life is in danger, call 000 immediately.8 You can contact the State Emergency Service (SES) for help if:8
- A fallen tree has caused structural damage to your home or vehicle
- There is damage to your roof, or it is leaking significantly
- A large branch or a tree has fallen and is preventing you from leaving or entering your home
- Your property is flooded or about to flood.8
In cases like this, contact your state’s or territory’s emergency service.
- New South Wales State Emergency Service
- Victoria State Emergency Service
- State Emergency Service Queensland
- Western Australia State Emergency Service
- South Australian State Emergency Service
- Tasmania State Emergency Service
- Australian Capital Territory State Emergency Services Agency
- Northern Territory Emergency Service
To find out more on how home insurance may help cover you in the event of roof leaks and water damage after an insured event, or to find out if our insurance is right for you, consider starting a quote with Youi.
1 Source: Building Institute NSW – How to Fix a Leaking Roof, September 2024
2 Source: Master Builders Western Australia – Roof leaks
3 Source: Australian Government, YourHome – Repairs and maintenance
4 Source: NSW Health – Mould, December 2022
5 Source: NSW Government – Urgent repairs in residential rental properties
6 Exclusions may apply. See the Home & Contents PDS for full details.
7 Source: SafeWise – How to stormproof your home, March 2023
8 Source: Victoria State Emergency Service – When to call 132 500 for assistance
