What matters on a Perth inspection
Termites, statewide
For building purposes, all of WA is treated as at risk from subterranean termites, and roof framing counts as a primary building element. A roofer who sees damaged timber in the roof space should flag it; a pest inspector does the full termite check.
Asbestos-era homes
Inter-War California Bungalows (1915 to 1940) and Post-War Minimal Traditional homes (1925 to 1955) sometimes had asbestos-cement shingles, according to the City of Cockburn. ASSEA says pre-purchase building inspections generally don't cover asbestos, so ask. WA Health adds that old asbestos cement roofs turn brittle and can be unsafe to walk on.
After a storm
If you're claiming after a storm, a dated report with photos of each damaged area is the kind of evidence insurers ask for. Moneysmart says a claim can be harder to get approved if earlier leaks or damage weren't fixed, so a report also shows you've looked after the roof.
Hills and beachside blocks
If a home is in a mapped bushfire prone area, or close to breaking surf where BlueScope sets minimum distances for its steels, ask the inspector to note the roof material and any corrosion or ember gaps.
What a good Perth roof report covers
- Photos of every roof face, the ridge, valleys, flashings and gutters
- What the roof is made of, and whether any part might be asbestos cement
- The roof space: daylight through gaps, water stains, and soft or eaten timber
- Storm or hail damage, dated, if you're making a claim
- Rust on metal roofs, fixings and gutters, especially near the coast
- What needs fixing now, what can wait, and in what order
How often, and drone or ladder?
Monier recommends a professional roof inspection every five to seven years. Most people book one before buying, after a big storm, before a restoration, or when a stain appears.
A drone gets photos without anyone walking on the roof, which helps on steep, fragile or possibly asbestos roofs. It can't see into the roof space or feel a loose tile, so a good inspection often uses both. See drone roof inspections.
Questions to ask before you book
- Will I get a written report with photos, and how soon?
- Will you check the roof space as well as the roof?
- Will you note timber damage, or should I book a pest inspector as well?
- If you think part of the roof might be asbestos, will the report say so?
- Are you inspecting only, or quoting for repairs too?
Where we'd start
Buying an older Perth home? We'd book a roof inspection on top of the building inspection, with the roof space included, and we'd ask separately about asbestos. We'd also be a little careful with an inspection that comes free with a repair quote, because the person checking the roof is also the person selling the fix.
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.
Let us know your postcode and why you want the roof checked. We'll pass the job to one licence-checked roofer in your part of Perth where we have one, and tell you straight away if we don't. More on the service is on our roof inspections page, and the Perth hub covers other jobs.