Roofing questions Adelaide owners ask us most

Before anyone gets on the roof

How do I know if my roof needs replacing rather than repairing? Look at the pattern, not the single fault. One cracked tile or a leak at a flashing is a repair. Rust holes across many sheets, tiles that powder or snap underfoot, leaks in several rooms, daylight through the roof space and sagging lines point to a covering at the end of its life. The guide to signs you need a roof replacement goes through each one.

Can I get a price over the phone? You can get a sense of the range from our cost guide, but not a real quote. Roof area, pitch, access, the timber underneath and what the old roof is made of all need to be seen.

How old is too old for a roof? There is no single age. Well-maintained terracotta can outlast the house, concrete tiles tend to lose their surface and become porous over several decades, and old galvanised iron eventually rusts through at laps and fixings. Condition matters more than the date on the house.

My roof might be asbestos. What should I do? Leave it alone: don't walk on it, cut it, drill it or water-blast it. Houses and outbuildings built before the late 1980s commonly used asbestos cement sheet. Read how to tell if your roof is asbestos and mention it when you call. Removal is licensed work regulated by SafeWork SA, and a contractor will arrange a licensed removalist where one is required.

Planning the job

Do I need council approval to replace my roof? Often not, if you are replacing like with like. Approval through PlanSA may be needed if the house is a heritage place or in a heritage area, if the roof shape or pitch is changing, or if structural work is involved. Check with your council before work starts; your contractor should raise it at the quote stage.

When is the best time of year to re-roof in Adelaide? Late spring through to early autumn has the most dry days, but it is also when contractors are busiest and when heatwaves can stop work in the middle of the day. Planned work in a dry spell in the cooler months is also possible. See the best time of year for roof replacement.

How long does the work take? For a typical single-storey house, on-site work usually runs to days rather than weeks. Asbestos removal, two storeys, complex roofs, approvals and weather extend it. The timeline guide breaks it down.

Can we stay at home during the work? Most families do. Expect noise, especially during strip-off, and some dust falling through gaps in the ceiling. For asbestos jobs, the removalist will tell you what precautions apply during removal.

What happens to our solar panels? They normally need to come off before the roof underneath can be replaced and go back on afterwards, which involves an electrician for safe disconnection and reconnection. Make sure the quote states who does this and what it costs.

Materials and choices

Should I switch from tiles to Colorbond? Many Adelaide owners do, because steel is lighter, quick to install and sheds water well. Others keep tiles for the look of the street, for heritage reasons or because they prefer how a tiled roof handles heat and rain noise. Our Colorbond vs tile guide sets the two side by side.

Is a light roof colour cooler? Light colours reflect more of the sun's energy, which can reduce heat entering the roof space in summer. Insulation and ventilation matter as much as colour. Some estates and heritage areas restrict colours, so check first.

Should I upgrade insulation while the roof is off? It is the easiest time to add a roof blanket or sarking, and many owners do. See roof insulation during replacement.

Money, contracts and insurance

What should a written quote include? Strip-off and disposal, battens, sarking or blanket, flashings and ridges, gutters, scaffold or edge protection, solar and aerial work, clean-up, payment stages and how surprises are priced. Anything missing should be listed as excluded.

Is the contractor licensed? In South Australia, building work contractors are licensed by Consumer and Business Services. We ask the contractors we work with to hold the licences and insurance the job needs; ask to see them before work starts and check the licence on the CBS public register.

Will insurance cover my new roof? Insurers generally respond to sudden damage from storms, hail or falling trees, not to wear and tear. The insurer and its assessor decide. A contractor can provide a report with photos and a quote, which is what an insurance roof replacement job usually starts with.

What if the roof is damaged right now? If water is coming in, isolate power to affected rooms if it is safe to do so, move valuables and call. Make-safe work such as tarping comes first; a proper repair or replacement follows once the roof is dry. See emergency roof replacement.