Swiss profile roof tiles were once a popular roofing choice across Western Australia, however as these roofs age, they can become extremely difficult to maintain once they start to leak. One of the biggest challenges with Swiss profile tiles is that leaks often originate from cracks or breaks hidden beneath overlapping sections of the roof, making them nearly impossible to detect during a standard roof inspection. Ironically the more foot traffic these roofs get from owners or contractors attempting to maintain the roof, the more likely new leaks will appear.

​In many cases, locating the exact source of a leak requires large sections of the roof to be stripped back tile by tile until the damaged tile / tiles are finally uncovered. This process can be time-consuming, labour-intensive, expensive for homeowners and especially disheartening when new leaks appear after the initial repairs are completed.

Regular roof maintenance and timely roof repairs can avoid insurance claims while also extending the lifespan of your roof. I always say to clients, a roof is like a car – they both need maintenance, yet most homeowners forego maintenance to their roof until leaks appear. This is counterintuitive considering the most important component on your house, your roof, is your most important asset to maintain.
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In this guide, we’ll explain:

• Reasons roofs deteriorate.
• Why regular roof maintenance matters.
• Common roof problems we are called out to repair in Perth.
• Signs your roof needs repairs.
• The benefits of professional roof maintenance.
• Choosing the right roofing contractor in Perth.
• Final thoughts.

REASONS ROOFS DETERIORATE
The climate in Perth can be particularly tough on residential and commercial roofs. Your roof, like everything, has a life span and the following factors accelerate their deterioration and / or contribute to roof leaks:

INTENSE UV RADIATION
UV radiation in Perth can be extreme and is really effective at breaking down protective

The original roof consisted of ageing concrete tiles that had seen better days. Beyond their worn appearance, the roofline showed signs of sagging and unevenness, which needed to be addressed before installing new sheeting. Before installing the new Colorbond® roof, our team carried out extensive carpentry work, including:

• Levelling the roof frame to correct sagging and uneven lines
• Replacing and straightening sections of timber where required
• Installing new battens suited for steel roofing
• Ensuring correct alignment for a clean, sharp finish

This preparation is critical. Steel roofing highlights inconsistencies in a roof frame far more than tiles, so precision levelling ensured the final result was straight and visually seamless. Given the exposure to strong easterly winds in the Perth Hills region, strengthening the roof structure was a key priority.
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We installed:

• 12mm Tie-down rods to secure the roof frame to the supporting wall structure
• Hoop iron strapping to brace the roof against wind uplift forces
• Additional triple grip fixings and brackets to meet current standards

 
These reinforcements significantly improve the home’s structural integrity and provide
​long-term peace of mind during severe weather events.

We recently completed a comprehensive roof restoration on a home with a classic clay Bristile roof tiles in Perth’s suburb of Maida Vale. Over time, even high-quality clay roof tiles can show signs of wear, including broken tiles, moss and lichen growth, corroded metalwork and redundant structures. Our team tackled every issue to restore both the functionality and aesthetics of the roof.
 
Step 1: Replacing Broken Tiles
The first task was to replace any broken tiles, restoring the roof’s integrity. This crucial step prevents leaks and potential damage to ceilings, insulation and the timber roof frame.

Step 2: Replacing Corroded Valleys and Installing Mesh
Next, we replaced the old, corroded valleys with new Colorbond valleys for durable, long-lasting protection. We also installed aluminium mesh over the valleys to prevent the buildup of leaves and debris; a buildup of leaves in the valleys is one of the most common reasons we see water overflow into the roof space. Installing mesh ensures rainwater drains efficiently without obstruction from a buildup of debris.
 
Step 3: Re-flashing the Evaporative Air Conditioner
We re-flashed the corroded evaporative air conditioner riser to prevent leaks and ensure a watertight seal around the unit. Proper flashing protects both the roof and the interior of the home from water damage.
 
Step 4: Removal of a redundant brick chimney and 2 x skylights
A redundant brick chimney and 2 x old skylights were safely removed and tiled over, eliminating an unnecessary obstruction and streamlining the roofline. This improves both aesthetics and removes 3 less potential leaks.

At Kalamunda Roof Restorers, we take pride in delivering premium roof restoration and roof replacement services across Perth, Western Australia. Our latest completed project in Roleystone is a perfect example of how a professionally installed roof can completely transform the look, durability, and value of a property. 

Cement Tiled Roof - Before Replacement - Lesmurdie

After Replacement - Nice New Colorbond Roof - Lesmurdie

I recently sent out an electronic season greetings card (no paper waste) to all my previous clients and also to those who I have quoted but may have engaged another company to complete the work. One such customer, who prefers to remain anonymous, chose another roofing contractor who had been referred by a friend. This is usually a good place to start, however as it turns out the contractor was not so great after all. Here is the email I received.

Dear Anthony,
 
Thanks for the festive greetings.
 
Though we've never had the opportunity of using your services - I did receive a quote from you. Unfortunately at the time we elected to use another company to attend to the work required who were recommended by a close friend - How could we go wrong! This will go down in history as the worst decision I (we) have ever made. Anyway - here we sit two years down the track with a roof that although not leaking - the work on the ridge caps looks diabolical. The company in question have been back three times to rectify the mess - but it still looks like something that the "work experience guy" did. Each time I go up on my roof I get more and more frustrated. In frustration and after numerous complaints - I ended up with a bag of clips and two buckets of pointing material. I only wish I'd have looked a little deeper into this. 
 
Anyway, thanks again and I will get you back at some stage to quote on potentially rectifying and finishing the roof restoration.
 
Regards
RM
Roleystone

The main reason we are called upon to replace a roof is due to tile fretting. This is a condition whereby the clay tiles begin to break down back into flakes and powder. We were recently called to a property in Willagee, Perth with this exact problem and as the photos demonstrate the process of tile fretting was in its latter stages to the point were some tiles were eroded all the way through. The only solution for this problem is to replace the roof and the owners of this property always wanted a Colorbond roof so there was no better time than now.

The owner of 44 York Street South Perth had recently purchased the property, an old circa 1920’s war veteran’s home, and needed some advice on how best to move forward in terms of restoring or replacing the roof. The property and in particular the roof had been somewhat neglected, with numerous leaks evident on the ceiling. After assessing the roof I was confident the roof could be restored, however the biggest challenge was how brittle the tiles were. With careful planning and ability to source enough spare tiles, we were able to complete the roof restoration and the results surpassed expectations. From a dilapidated roof to a new looking roof, the transformation was incredible.

The majority of our work here in Perth consists of roof repairs, replacements and restorations, however on occasion we do get asked to paint or seal our clients driveways and pathways.

The process is very similar to restoring a roof however a few extra steps may be required depending on the surface being sealed or painted. Firstly the surface is meticulously prepared to remove oil, dirt and any loose paint if previously coated. For new concrete surfaces an etcher is applied to improve surface porosity and therefore better paint penetration. The driveway or paving must then be left for a few days to dry out completely prior to applying the coatings so the best time of year to do paint a driveway is in the drier months.

Once the driveway or paving is ready for coating, the first coat is applied thinned down as per manufacturers guidelines, as this helps the paint to penetrate the surface of the concrete. After the thinned coat is dry, an additional 2 x top coats of “neat” paint are applied. The surface must then be left to cure for at least 5-7 days before driving or parking a vehicle on top.
 
This is a driveway we recently painted for a client of ours in Perth who also recently had their roof fully restored. With the roof restored and driveway coated the house has been transformed and our clients are very happy with the result. If you live in Perth and would like your roof or driveway painted, please contact the Kalamunda Roof Restorers team on 0422 469 125 or email [email protected] or fill in our Online Form to request a complimentary quotation.