A storm is a hard test for small roof faults: a blocked gutter, a lifted sheet, a screw that has backed out or a flashing that has worked loose. This guide is for homeowners, strata and facility managers who want to find those problems early. Everything here can be done from the ground, from a window or from inside the building.
Grana Works organises and manages roof cleaning, roof leak repairs and metal roof repairs across Greater Sydney and surrounding areas, including through trusted specialist partners where a job needs them. You deal with one point of contact from the first photo to sign-off.
NSW SES says storm season in NSW falls between September and April, although major storms can happen at any time of the year. The Bureau of Meteorology says most severe thunderstorms happen between September and March. It classes a thunderstorm as severe when it produces hail 2 cm or more across, wind gusts of 90 km/h or more, tornadoes, or heavy rain that may lead to flash flooding.
Severe thunderstorms are the most common type of storm in NSW, and NSW SES lists severe damage to buildings, especially roofs, skylights and windows, among their effects. Coastal areas east of the Great Dividing Range also get southerly busters in the warmer months, with winds that can stay strong and gusty for several hours and peak gusts of around 90 to 100 km/h. Wind like that finds any loose sheet, screw or flashing, so spring is the time to check.
The NSW Government advises checking for leaks and loose tiles, metal roof sheets, eaves and screws, and clearing gutters, downpipes and drains before storm season. Walk around the building, or use binoculars or a phone camera zoom from the yard or an upstairs window, and look for:
Inside, look at ceilings and cornices for new water stains, bubbling paint or mould spots, and check around skylights and exhaust fans. Note anything you find and photograph it, so it can be compared after the next storm.
NSW SES warns that gutter, downpipe and drain blockages can trap water and cause it to overflow under the eaves into your roof cavity. The BlueScope Lysaght roofing and rainwater maintenance manual recommends checking for debris at rain heads, overflows and around the downpipe entry, sweeping debris out with a soft-bristled brush rather than shovels or hard tools, hosing the roof and gutters down, and clearing any downpipe blockage straight away so water does not back up in the gutters.
Gutter cleaning usually means working at the roof edge. SafeWork NSW has reported a worker who was cleaning gutters on a house, slid down the roof and fell about 5 metres to the ground. If your gutters can only be reached from the roof or a tall ladder, book it in rather than doing it yourself.
Rust tends to start where water or dirt sits. BlueScope’s Technical Bulletin TB-4 explains that dirt building up in areas not washed by rain can absorb condensation and may start corrosion, and the Lysaght manual flags staining at ponding spots, debris at the high end of box gutters and surface rust in gutters. The manual also says fasteners should be inspected for breakdown of the rubber washers and deterioration of the screw head, and worn washers and fasteners replaced. It also says metallic staining should be investigated to find out whether it is a metal deposit on the surface, which should be removed straight away, or a breakdown of the coating.
On roofs where other trades have worked, such as solar, air conditioning or antenna installers, check for the items the manual warns follow-on trades about:
Rust holes, sheets that have rusted through at the laps, and rusted brackets, cleats or roof framing need repair rather than a clean. Steel items such as brackets, box-gutter supports and light steel framing can be fabricated and fitted through our welding and fabrication service on the same job. If you are unsure whether the roof needs a clean, a repair or more, our guide to roof cleaning vs roof restoration in Sydney explains the difference.
Once the storm has passed, check from the ground first. Stay clear of fallen trees and power lines. The NSW Government warns that fallen power lines may be live, and says to call NSW SES on 132 500 and keep at least 8 metres away from them.
The NSW SES says to call 132 500 if your roof is damaged or leaking, and Triple Zero (000) if anyone is trapped or injured. SES volunteers provide temporary help to keep your home and the situation safe. Permanent repairs are a job for a private contractor, which is where a written scope and quote come in.
SafeWork NSW lists weather conditions such as wind and rain, including being blown over the edge or slipping on a wet roof surface, among the hazards to manage when working on roofs. Its roof edge protection fact sheet says the most serious and fatal falls are from roofs, ladders and scaffolds, and from a height of under 4 metres.
Wet metal is slippery, and SafeWork NSW warns that not all areas of a roof are safe to walk on: skylights and plastic roof sheeting should not be walked on, and roof sheeting can become brittle over time. The Lysaght manual adds that some roofs, such as patio and verandah roofs, are not designed to be walked on at all. Leave anything above ground level to a roofer who sets up proper fall protection, and read our roof work safety checklist before anyone goes up.
COLORBOND® steel guidance says rain helps keep the roof itself clean, but areas not regularly washed by rain, such as wall cladding under eaves, garage doors and the underside of eave gutters, should be hosed down at least every six months and more often in coastal areas. BlueScope’s Technical Bulletin TB-4 says every three months in coastal areas with marine salt spray, or where there is high airborne dust or industrial fallout. Stubborn dirt can be washed with a mild solution of pure soap or non-abrasive detergent in warm water and a soft brush, then rinsed with fresh water. Never use abrasive or solvent cleaners such as turpentine, petrol, kerosene or paint thinners.
The Lysaght manual recommends roof and rainwater maintenance at least every four months, preferably including the end of autumn and the end of spring, and an inspection after extreme events such as storms. For most buildings, that makes late spring a natural time for a full roof and gutter check before summer storms.
Message WhatsApp on 0450 870 482, call, email service@granaworks.com.au or use the quote form on the contact section of our home page. We look at your photos, check access and send a written quote. Hours are Monday to Friday, 6am to 6pm Sydney time, and roof work is booked around the weather.
More on how we work: frequently asked questions and About Grana Works. See the full Roof Cleaning, Repairs & Metal Roofing service page for what we repair and how a roof job runs, or check all service areas.
Grana Works organises and manages roof leak repairs, metal roof repairs and gutter work across Greater Sydney and surrounding areas. Send photos and your suburb for a written quote.
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