Storm season on the Northern Rivers brings wind, hail and heavy rain — often all at once. The roofs that cope best are the ones that were ready. Here's what to check before the season hits.
Why pre-season matters
Most storm damage we see is a pre-existing weakness exposed by a big event — a loose sheet that finally lifts, a perished flashing that finally gives way, a blocked valley that finally overflows. Fixing those before storm season turns a potential emergency into a routine repair.
Check your fixings
Loose or rusted screws are the most common storm failure on a metal roof — wind gets under a loose sheet and lifts it. If your roof is 10+ years old and near the coast, a pre-season screw check is the single highest-value thing you can do.
Clear gutters and valleys
Blocked gutters and valleys overflow in heavy downpours, forcing water into the roof edge and ceiling space. Clear them before the season, and check again after any big leaf drop.
Check ridge capping and flashings
Wind-driven rain exploits any gap. Cracked ridge mortar and perished flashings that hold up in calm rain will leak in a storm. A repoint or re-seal before the season is cheap insurance.
Trim overhanging branches
Falling limbs are a leading cause of storm roof damage. Before the season, have any limbs overhanging the roof assessed and trimmed — especially on the windward side.
Know who to call
Save our number (0412 483 911) before you need it. After a storm, the faster you can get a make-safe tarp up, the less water damage you'll have — and the easier the insurance claim.
After the storm
Don't climb on a storm-damaged roof yourself. Look from the ground for lifted or dented sheets, broken tiles, debris, and check the ceiling space for water entry. Call us for a make-safe and an insurer-ready report.
Questions
Common questions
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We're local to Lennox Head and cover the whole Northern Rivers. Every job is photo-documented and warranted.
Coastal Roofing Repairs
Local Northern Rivers roofers · 28 years on the tools · insured
Written by the Coastal Roofing Repairs team, 28 years roofing on the NSW North Coast. We work on coastal metal and tile roofs every day — these guides come straight from what we see on the tools, not a marketing desk.
