Roof Restoration Gone Wrong: 8 Costly Perth Mistakes

5 min read

We see the aftermath of bad roof restorations more often than we’d like. Homeowners who paid good money for a restoration that peeled within a year, ridge caps that came loose after one storm, or paint that looked great for three months then started flaking.

A bad roof restoration isn’t just ugly - it often means paying twice. Here are the most common mistakes we see and how to protect yourself.

1. Skipping the Pressure Clean (or Doing It Half-Heartedly)

This is the single most common cause of premature paint failure. Some operators do a quick hose-down and call it “cleaned.” That’s not cleaning - it’s wetting.

What should happen: A commercial pressure washer at 3,000+ PSI systematically cleans every square metre of the roof, removing all dirt, moss, lichen, algae, and chalking. This takes hours, not minutes.

Why it matters: Paint can’t bond to a dirty surface. If there’s moss, grime, or chalking between the tile and the paint, the paint is bonding to the dirt - not to the tile. When the dirt eventually lets go, the paint goes with it.

Red flag: If a company quotes significantly less time for the job than others, they’re probably cutting the cleaning short.

2. Skipping the Primer

Primer is the bonding layer between the cleaned tile surface and the topcoats. It penetrates the tile’s pores, seals the surface, and creates a chemical bond that the topcoats grip to.

What happens without it: The topcoats sit on top of the tile surface without properly bonding. They might look fine initially, but adhesion is compromised. Within 1-3 years, you’ll see peeling - especially on north-facing slopes that cop the most UV and thermal cycling.

Red flag: If a quote mentions “two-coat system” instead of three coats (primer + two topcoats), ask specifically about primer.

3. Painting in Bad Conditions

Roof paint shouldn’t be applied when it’s too cold (below 10°C), too humid (above 85%), raining, or about to rain. The coating needs time to cure properly.

What happens: Paint applied in poor conditions cures slowly or incompletely, resulting in reduced adhesion, milky appearance (blooming), and premature failure.

Red flag: A company that pushes to paint “rain or shine” or refuses to reschedule for weather is prioritising their schedule over your result.

4. Using Cheap or Diluted Paint

Quality roof coatings (like Dulux Acratex) cost significantly more per litre than budget alternatives. Some operators use cheap paint or - worse - dilute quality paint with water to make it go further.

What happens: Cheap paint has less UV-resistant pigment, weaker binders, and thinner film build. It fades faster, chalks sooner, and loses adhesion earlier. Diluted paint is even worse - it goes on thin and doesn’t provide the coverage or film thickness needed for durability.

Red flag: Ask for the specific product name and manufacturer. If they can’t or won’t tell you, that’s a problem. Also ask how many litres they’ll use - a rough guide is 1 litre per 1-1.5 square metres for a proper three-coat system.

5. Not Fixing Problems Before Painting

A beautiful paint job over cracked tiles, failed pointing, and rusted valleys is just an expensive cover-up. The problems underneath continue to deteriorate, and the “restored” roof starts leaking within months.

What should happen: Before any paint goes on, every repair should be completed - broken tiles replaced, ridge caps re-bedded and re-pointed, valleys checked, flashings secured, and any leaks investigated and fixed.

Red flag: If a quote doesn’t mention repairs, ask what’s included. “Paint only” quotes are cheaper for a reason - they’re leaving the problems for you to deal with later.

6. Using Cement Instead of Flexible Pointing

We’ve covered this in detail in another article, but it’s worth repeating: cement pointing cracks. It’s a matter of when, not if. Any company still using cement pointing on Perth roofs is either behind the times or cutting costs.

What should happen: All ridge cap pointing should use flexible polymer compound that can move with the roof’s thermal expansion and contraction.

Red flag: If the quote says “cement pointing” or doesn’t specify flexible compound, ask.

7. No Written Warranty or Guarantee

“She’ll be right, mate” is not a warranty. A reputable company provides:

• A written workmanship guarantee (typically 5-10 years)
• A manufacturer’s product warranty (typically 10-15 years for premium coatings)
• Documentation of products used, batch numbers, and application dates

What happens without it: If something goes wrong in year 2, you have no recourse. The company may have closed down, changed names, or simply deny responsibility.

Red flag: If a company won’t put their guarantee in writing, don’t use them.

8. Door-to-Door Sales Pressure

“We’re doing a job in your street and noticed your roof…” This is a classic high-pressure sales tactic. The “special price” they offer is usually inflated to begin with, the work quality is often poor, and the company may be difficult to find when problems arise.

Legitimate companies don’t need to door-knock for work. They have websites, reviews, referrals, and a reputation. If someone knocks on your door offering a roof deal, take their card politely and do your own research before committing to anything.

How to Protect Yourself

Before signing any roof restoration quote:

1. Get at least three quotes - this gives you a baseline for pricing and scope
2. Ask what’s included - cleaning, repairs, primer, topcoats, pointing, clean-up
3. Ask about products - brand, product name, number of coats
4. Check the licence - painters registration is required in WA (our registration is PC101074)
5. Check Google reviews - real reviews from real customers are the best indicator of quality
6. Get the warranty in writing - both workmanship and product warranties
7. Ask about accreditation - are they accredited by the paint manufacturer?

A proper roof restoration is an investment that should last 15+ years. The difference between a good job and a bad one is preparation, products, and professionalism - and it’s usually visible in the quote if you know what to look for. If you’d like a quote that spells all of this out, get in touch for one.