5 min read
“Is it even worth restoring, or do I just need a new roof?” It’s a fair question - especially if your roof is 30, 40, or even 50 years old and looks like it’s seen better decades. The good news is that the vast majority of Perth roofs can be restored. But there are exceptions, and it’s important to know the difference.
What Restoration Can Fix
A roof restoration is essentially a comprehensive service that addresses every common form of deterioration. Here’s what it can handle:
Faded or Chalking Coating
The most obvious sign of an ageing roof - the colour has faded, the surface is chalky, and the tiles look worn. This is purely a coating issue. The tiles underneath are usually structurally fine. A high-pressure clean, primer, and two topcoats will make these tiles look and perform like new.
Verdict: Absolutely restorable.
Broken or Cracked Tiles (Up to ~10%)
A handful of broken tiles - or even a few dozen on a large roof - is normal wear and tear. We carry common tile profiles and can replace broken tiles as part of the restoration. As long as 90%+ of the tiles are structurally sound, the roof is a candidate for restoration.
Verdict: Restorable. We replace the broken tiles and restore the rest.
Crumbling Pointing and Loose Ridge Caps
This is one of the most common issues on Perth roofs over 15 years old, and it’s a standard part of every restoration. We strip the old pointing, re-bed any loose caps, and re-point with flexible compound.
Verdict: Restorable. This is bread-and-butter restoration work.
Moss, Lichen, and Algae Growth
Heavy biological growth looks terrible but rarely indicates structural failure. It means the surface coating has failed (allowing moisture retention) and the tiles need cleaning and recoating. Our pressure clean removes all growth, and the new coating prevents regrowth.
Verdict: Restorable.
Minor Valley or Flashing Rust
Surface rust on valleys and flashings can usually be treated with rust converter and sealed, or the affected section can be replaced. As long as the metal hasn’t rusted through completely, it’s repairable.
Verdict: Usually restorable. Severely rusted-through valleys need replacement (which we can do as part of a restoration).
Porous Tiles That Absorb Water
Concrete tiles that have lost their coating become porous and absorb water. You can see this as dark, damp-looking patches after rain that take hours to dry. As long as the tiles are still structurally solid (not crumbling), a sealer/primer penetrates and seals the porosity, and topcoats provide long-term protection.
Verdict: Restorable - if the tile structure is intact underneath.
What Restoration Can’t Fix
Tiles That Are Crumbling or Delaminating
When a concrete tile starts to crumble - the surface is flaky, powdery, and you can break pieces off with your hands - the tile itself has failed structurally. No amount of coating will hold a crumbling tile together. If this is happening across the whole roof (not just a few tiles), restoration won’t work.
The test: Press your thumbnail hard into the tile face. If it leaves a clear indentation or crumbles, the tile is failing.
Verdict: Needs re-roofing if widespread. If it’s isolated to a few tiles, those can be replaced.
Severe Structural Sagging
If the roof line is visibly sagging - dipping between supports or bowing downward - the problem is in the timber structure (rafters, battens, or trusses), not the tiles. A restoration addresses the surface, not the structure. Sagging requires a builder or structural engineer before any surface work makes sense.
Verdict: Fix the structure first, then consider restoration.
Asbestos Roofing
Asbestos cement roofs (common in Perth homes built before 1990) cannot be restored in the traditional sense. They cannot be pressure-cleaned (releases dangerous fibres), and coating them is a temporary measure at best. Asbestos roofs should be removed by a licensed asbestos removalist and replaced.
Verdict: Needs replacement by licensed professionals. We don’t work on asbestos roofs.
Obsolete Tile Profiles With 20%+ Breakage
If your tiles are an obsolete profile that’s no longer manufactured and you have more than about 20% broken or damaged, you can’t source enough replacements to make restoration viable. At that point, re-roofing with new tiles or Colorbond is the practical option.
Verdict: Needs re-roofing due to material availability.
Roofs With Major Underpinning Issues
If the house has significant foundation movement (common in some Perth clay soil areas), the roof may be distorted - twisted hips, misaligned ridges, tiles sitting unevenly. Restoring the surface without addressing the movement means the problems will return. A structural assessment should come first.
Verdict: Address structural issues first.
The 80/20 Rule
In our experience, roughly 80% of the Perth roofs we inspect are candidates for restoration. The remaining 20% split between:
- 10% that need re-roofing - typically asbestos, severely crumbling tiles, or structural issues
- 10% that are fine - they don’t need restoration yet and we tell the homeowner to wait
We don’t profit from telling someone their roof needs replacing - we refer them to a re-roofing specialist. And we definitely don’t profit from telling someone their roof is fine. But honest assessments are how we build trust and get referrals, which is how we’ve built our business.
Not Sure? Get an Online Quote
The best place to start is a free online quote. We assess your roof remotely using satellite and aerial imagery, so most homes never need a site visit, and the satellite assessment and quote are free. If you would prefer one, a paid on-site roof inspection can be arranged. Either way, we’ll give you a straight answer:
- “It’s fine, leave it for now” - and we’ll tell you what to watch for
- “It needs restoration” - and we’ll give you a detailed quote
- “It’s beyond restoration” - and we’ll explain why and suggest next steps
No pressure, no obligation. Just an honest answer from people who look at roofs every day. If yours is a good candidate for roof restoration, get a free quote and we’ll lay out the scope.
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