After a big Auckland storm, most homeowners check for obvious damage — missing iron, blocked gutters, broken tiles. But some of the most costly storm damage is invisible from the ground, and it can go unnoticed for months until water finds its way in.
1. Water stains on ceilings or walls
A new brown stain on your ceiling after a storm is a direct signal that water has breached the roof. Don't wait to see if it dries out — by the time you see the stain, water has already been sitting in your insulation and framing for a while.
2. Lifted or displaced flashings
Flashings are the metal strips that seal roof penetrations — chimneys, skylights, plumbing vents, and the joins between roof planes. High winds can lift them without fully dislodging them, leaving a gap that lets water straight in.
3. Granule loss on tile roofs
After heavy rain, check your gutters and downpipes. A significant amount of granules — the gritty coating on concrete or clay tiles — washed into the gutters means your tiles have taken a hit. Granule loss accelerates UV degradation and shortens tile life.
4. Dented or damaged gutters and downpipes
Hail and falling debris can crush spouting and leave dents that restrict water flow. Blocked or damaged gutters cause water to back up and potentially overflow under the fascia board into the building fabric.
5. Increased energy bills
Wet insulation is almost worthless as an insulator. If your heating bills spike after a storm and you can't explain it otherwise, it's worth having your roof and ceiling space inspected for moisture damage.
When in doubt, call us. Storm inspections are free, and catching damage early is almost always cheaper than dealing with the consequences later.