On older homes, think asbestos first
If your house was built before 1990, the roof sheeting, gutters or eaves could contain asbestos. Don't drill, cut, water-blast or walk on fibro sheeting, and don't let anyone else until it's been tested. In NSW, removing more than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos needs a licensed removalist.
What Albury does to a roof
Steady winter rain
At Hume Reservoir, July and August each average 75.9 mm. Winter rain falls steadily rather than violently, which is exactly what finds slipped tiles and cracked flashings.
Summer storms
In late January 2022, 50 to 100 mm fell over a weekend and AlburyCity received more than 1,600 calls. Thurgoona had already flooded on 14 January.
Frost and heat on the ridges
Albury gets roughly 20 freezing nights and 17 days over 35 °C a year, and has recorded 46.1 °C. That swing works at old cement mortar on ridge caps, and Monier lists cracked ridge bedding as a common cause of leaks.
1970s and post-war suburbs
Glenroy and Thurgoona were developed in the 1970s, and North Albury filled with housing after World War II. These roofs are now decades old, so one leak is often a good reason for a full roof check, not just a patch.
Heritage streets
Around Dean Street and Townsend Street, heritage buildings like the c. 1880 Post Office and Elm Court sit among older homes. Like-for-like roof repairs can be exempt from approval in NSW, but not on heritage items or in heritage conservation areas.
When your Albury roof leaks
Contain it
Bucket under the drip, valuables moved, and the power off at the switchboard if water is anywhere near a light fitting.
Note the pattern
Does it leak only in long winter rain, or only in summer storms with wind behind them? Tell the roofer, because each points to different causes.
Call your insurer if it's storm damage
Moneysmart says to contact them as soon as practical, photograph the damage before moving anything, and talk to them before paying for temporary repairs.
Get one roofer to find the source
A good roofer will show you photos of the cause, not just the stain on your ceiling.
Questions to ask an Albury roofer
- Can you show me photos of where the water is getting in?
- Could any of my roof, gutters or eaves be asbestos, and will you test before starting?
- Will you use flexible pointing on the ridge, given how cold Albury winters get?
- How are you licensed for roof work in NSW, and what's the number?
- If the job goes over $5,000, will I get a written contract?
What we'd do first
We'd get a leak fixed in autumn, before the July and August rain, rather than living with buckets all winter. If the house is from the 1970s or earlier, we'd confirm whether there's asbestos before agreeing to any repair method. And if a roofer finds cracked mortar on several ridges, we'd ask about a full rebed and repoint rather than a string of patches. The national roof repairs page has more.
Want a roofer to take a look?
Tell us the job and your postcode. We match it with a Find My Roofer certified roofer who specialises in that kind of work, and they call you to quote. Your number goes to them alone.